JCU Logo
JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AS 110-3"
COURSE NAME: "Drawing - Rome Sketchbook"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2014
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: William Pettit
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TH9:00 AM 11:45 AM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is an on-site drawing course for beginning and advanced students to experience the city of Rome in a sketchbook. The course provides students with a means of solving material and theoretical problems involved in art-making through exercises in drawing in various locations around Rome. Students will leave the course with knowledge of various techniques of representation of nature and architecture, and show a capacity to discover personal solutions to art-making.

 
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course is designed to give students an introduction to the basic techniques of wet and dry drawing media on site in the city of Rome. Using natural and urban landscapes as subject matter, the course will explore the principles of picture-making such as composition, perspective, form, and the study of light and dark. The idea of the sketchbook favors a quicker approach to representing nature, and functions as a record of the artist’s travels both inside and outside the city. The majority of classes will take place outside, weather permitting.

Like all studio classes, much of the work will be executed outside of class, in the form of homework assignments. Class discussions or critiques will take place to evaluate and analyze work as a group.

 
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will acquire the material and intellectual skills necessary for representing three-dimensional environments on a two-dimensional surface. They will gain competence in evaluating and understanding artwork, and have exposure to important places in the city of Rome. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
 Grading is based on attendance and completed work. As evaluation is based on a students comprehension and dedication to learning, Attendance is mandatory. Three absences will result in an F for the course. Participation (25 %) is to include punctuality and class participation, particularly during critiques. Students are expected to be on time and present physically and mentally. Students are responsible for making-up any missed classes. Completed Work (75%) consists of the student’s sketchbook including classwork and homework. Work will be evaluated according to formal analysis as in critiques and time investment. Students should expect to work at least 3 hours per week outside of class. Homework assignments should follow material covered in class and individual assignments.  

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Outline of Excursions. Classes will meet at the location listed below unless otherwise specified. In case of bad weather, we will meet at the art studio. Scheduled and unscheduled critiques will take place in the art studio so have all work up to date. All sites are 15 or 20 minutes walking from Guarini and Tiber campuses.

  1.  Introduction to course and objectives, and materials. HW: tonal scales
  2.  Saint Peter’s Square. Meet at the obelisk. Exercises in space, composition and scale.
  3.  Santa Maria in Trastevere. Meet at the fountain. Exercises in simple perspective
  4.  Critique. Meet at art studio
  5.   Ara Pacis. Complex perspective and environment, organic and inorganic.
  6.  Protestant Cemetary, Caio Cestio (Piramide). Light and shadow, tonal drawing.
  7.  Midterm drawing: Ponte Sant’Angelo. Meet on Castle-side of the bridge. speed and fluidity.
  8.  Midterm critique. Meet at the art studio.
  9.  Santa Sabina, Aventine. atmospheric perspective
  10.  Critique. Meet in class
  11.  Piazza Mattei (Ghetto). The human form, symmetry.
  12.  Il Tempietto, Gianicolo. Circular perspective.
  13.  Final critique, prepare for student exhibit