history of art, design, and visual culture | feeling seeing | winter 2022

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REQUIREMENTS

Summary of course requirements

• Conference Attendance and Participation. All students are expected to do the weekly readings, participate regularly and rigorously in the conference discussion. If you miss a conference, you will be responsible to turn in summaries of texts that were discussed on the day of your absence (these summaries will not be returned to you). This is to ensure that you remain integrated into the warp and woof of the expanding discussion. More than three unexcused absences will result in no credit for your participation grade. Acceptable excuses are illness and serious emergencies. 30% total grade.
• Leading Conference Discussion. During the semester I will distribute a list of discussion questions on the weekends through the course blog. All conference participants will read the questions and reflect on the issues raised before class. Each person will lead discussion on the question assigned to him/her/them. 15% total grade.

Each question should be preceded by two or three sentences that contextualize it and explain its significance to the discussion. Ideally, the questions will perform three interrelated functions: 1) they will highlight the main point of the text; 2) suggest its relationship to other texts we have read and images we have seen, and; 3) illustrate a way of seeing and thinking about the visual images you have chosen for us and posted to the blog. For more suggestions on how to lead a good discussion, click here.
NB: If we do not return to in-person conferences after January 23, this grade will instead reflect your performance in presenting responses to questions about the reading that I ask you to discuss in conference. I will provide you with those questions on the previous weekend so that you will have the weekend and a few days to prepare your response.

• Blog posts. 12 posts. Posts are due at 9 pm the night before conference unless noted in the syllabus. Each one that is missing or late brings down your grade by a step (i.e., A becomes A-, then a B+, and so on). 20% total grade.
• One Writing Project in Lots of Acts.
  
  ALL PROJECTS BEGIN THE SAME WAY
  
  1. Object writing. Choose a work of art or design. You can choose to write about an ink painting, the FAB Building, the work of public sculpture on your street, a print design. The work ought to be present to you, something that you have experienced first-hand and that you want to dwell with over the course of the term. It ought to repay your attention and engagement.
  2. Exploratory. What I would like you to do is to carefully think through the question that the artwork or work of design poses of you. The work should suggest the question, and not the other way around. In your exploratory, detail the process you used in devising the question, the problems you foresee in answering it, and why you think it is meaningful in relationship to questions about experience. That is to say, do not simply draft a generalized, simple statement of the question; I want to see evidence of your deliberate and reasoned approach to evolving a good question. Why are you asking this question? Do NOT attempt to essay uninformed, generalized (and therefore uncompelling) answers to your own question. Be sure to bring into your discussion of the question one or more of the course readings. This exploratory, in sum, that is formal and conceptual. This is the part of the writing project that you will post to the course blog and present in the workshop.
  3. Brainstorming questions and images from object exploratories with class members during conference meetings. Please come to conference with one comment about what you like about each project and a question you have for the project creator that might help him or her to develop it.
  4. Annotated bibliography of 4 sources on your art work or work of design due on March 18. If you have never written an annotated bibliography before, please consult the Cornell University website "How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography" or the University of Toronto website on the development of writing skills.

  
  OPTION A

  Writing project due at the end of the term on April 12 at 5 pm. This is a research paper on the object. What I would like you to do is to research your object as much as possible, and then interleave short reflections on your experience of encounter into it. Click here for a draft example of how to interleave. These shorter reflections should take up the nature of experience with your object and its engagement with questions, concepts, other works of art or design presented in the course readings. Undergraduates 10-12 pages of prose, graduate students 13-15 pages of prose, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with images placed at the end of the paper following format set forth on course resources page, linked below. No extensions on project deadline. No exceptions. Please email project to Lisa as a WORD DOC. (Microsoft Word is available to you as a UA student for free through the UA Hub) 35% total grade

  
  OPTION B

  Writing project due at the end of the term on April 12 at 5 pm. This is a weekly journal on the nature of experience with your object and its engagement with questions, concepts, other works of art or design presented in the course readings. It will begin with the exploratory (that will be the first entry). In the style of TJ Clark, you will spend time with this object each week and journal about it. At the end I would like you to reflect on your original question. Is it one that you would still pose after dwelling with the object over the course of 7 weeks? Or would you ask a different question? Undergraduates 10-12 pages of prose, graduate students 13-15 pages of prose, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with images placed at the end of the paper following format set forth on course resources page, linked below. No extensions on project deadline. No exceptions. Please email project to Lisa as a WORD DOC. (Microsoft Word is available to you as a UA student for free through the UA Hub) 35% total grade

   

COURSE RESOURCES

Click here for extensive lists of electronic resources and PDF files on China-centred digital image databases and archives, the Chinese language, museum collections, time chart of periods and dynasties.

Feel free to make good use of Google Arts & Cultures

My office hours are by appointment.
Office location: FAB 3-89B.
Telephone:780-248-1758
Email: claylisa@ualberta.ca

EVALUATION CRITERIA

PARTICIPATION GRADE RUBRIC

A work is excellent, exceptional in fact. That means you have done everything that is required of a B performance and in addition have advanced our thinking and our understanding of the texts and pictures through your comments and questions, and threaded the theoretical readings to the case studies.

B work is very good. That means you have done everything that is required of a C performance, but have really engaged with the material and your colleagues in conference, and have shared your voice and thoughts without being called upon.

C work is satisfactory. That means you have attended every conference and have contributed when called upon. If you have missed a conference, you have turned in a summary for the assigned reading that week. You have completed blog assignments on time. You have respected the conference space.

D-F work is less than satisfactory. That means you have not attended every conference and rarely contributed to conference discussion. You have not turned in summaries of the assigned readings for the conferences you have missed. You have not completed all of the blog assignments and/or not posted on time. Alternatively, it means that you have attended the conferences, and perhaps have been a critical force in the conference, but have elected to interact with the other students in the conference in a disrespectful and unproductive way.

GRADE BREAKDOWN

Conference facilitation 15%
Participation 30%
Blog posts   20%
Writing project 35%

Grading scale: A+=98-100, A=94-97, A-=90-93; B+=87-89, B=83-86, B-=80-82; C+=77-79, C=73-76, C-=70-72; D+=67-69; D=64-66; F=63 and lower.

COURSE POLICIES

Grading

Effective September 1, 2003, the University of Alberta uses a letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. To view guidelines concerning this system please see www.grades.ualberta.ca Above is the scale used in this course as a guideline in determining letter grades.

Academic Integrity 

It is critical for all of us who are involved in academic and intellectual endeavour to abide by standards of academic integrity. This means that students must inform themselves of what academic honesty and integrity entails, and how it is defined at the University of Alberta. Click here for the statement about plagiarism that is available at the University's Centre for Writers (and how to avoid plagiarising). The definition of plagiarism is posted in the "Code of Student Behavior" below.

University of Alberta Code of Student Behavior

Inappropriate Academic Behaviour (from section 30.3.2 of the Code of Student Behaviour)
30.3.2(1)       Plagiarism  
No Student shall submit the words, ideas, images or data of another person as the Student?s own in any academic writing, essay, thesis, project, assignment, presentation or poster in a course or program of study.
30.3.2(2)       Cheating
30.3.2(2) a  No Student shall in the course of an examination or other similar activity, obtain or attempt to obtain information from another Student or other unauthorized source, give or attempt to give information to another Student, or use, attempt to use or possess for the purposes of use any unauthorized material.
30.3.2(2) b No Student shall represent or attempt to represent him or herself as another or have or attempt to have himself or herself represented by another in the taking of an examination, preparation of a paper or other similar activity. See also misrepresentation in 30.3.6 (4).
30.3.2(2)c   No student shall represent another's substantial editorial or compositional assistance on an assignment as the Student's own work. 
30.3.2(2) d No Student shall submit in any course or program of study, without the written approval of the course Instructor, all or a substantial portion of any academic writing, essay, thesis, research report, project, assignment, presentation or poster for which credit has previously been obtained by the Student or which has been or is being submitted by the Student in another course or program of study in the University or elsewhere.
30.3.2(2) e  No Student shall submit in any course or program of study any academic writing, essay, thesis, report, project, assignment, presentation or poster containing a statement of fact known by the Student to be false or a reference to a source the Student knows to contain fabricated claims (unless acknowledged by the Student), or a fabricated reference to a source.       
30.3.2(3)  Misuse of Confidential Materials
No Student shall procure, distribute, or receive any confidential academic material such as pending examinations, laboratory results or the contents thereof from any source without prior and express consent of the Instructor.
30.3.2(4)  Research and Scholarship Misconduct
30.3.2(4) a No Student shall violate the University of Alberta Research and Scholarship Integrity Policy, as set out in the Research and Scholarship Integrity Policy in UAPPOL or any other University regulation concerning academic matters. (CLRC 24 MAY 2012)        
30.3.2(4) b Where a Student is charged with the academic offence of research and scholarship misconduct, the special requirements for communication and documentation imposed by Research and Scholarship Integrity Policy in UAPPOL shall constitute part of the procedures outlined below.(CLRC 24 MAY 2012)       

Per Section 23.4:

"The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at www.ualberta.ca/secretariat/appeals.htm) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University". (GFC 29 SEP 2003)

Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the instructor. 

Per Section 22.1.3: Reregistration in Courses

(1)	Students may not repeat any University course passed or courses for which they have received transfer credit except for reasons deemed sufficient, and verified in writing, by the Dean (or designate) of the Faculty in which they are enrolled.
(2)	Students may not reregister for credit or audit more than once in any failed University course, except for reasons deemed sufficient by the Dean (or designate) of the Faculty in which they are enrolled.
(3)	Students may not reregister for credit or audit more than once in any University course in which they have received a final grade of W, except for reasons deemed sufficient by the Dean (or designate) of the Faculty in which they are enrolled.
(4)	In cases where a student contravenes regulations 1, 2, or 3 above, the Dean (or designate) may withhold credit or indicate the course as extra to the degree, on the course registration that contravenes the regulation.
(5)	Students may not register for audit more than once in any University course in which they have received a final grade of AU (Audit) or AW (Audit Withdrawal) except for reasons deemed sufficient by the Dean (or designate) of the Faculty in which they are enrolled.
(6)	Students may repeat a Fall Term course in the Winter Term if it is offered in the Winter Term as long as the student complies with regulations 1, 2, and 3 above.
(7)	An undergraduate student who, because of unsatisfactory academic performance, is either required to withdraw, and/or required to repeat a year, and/or put on probation, will retain credit for courses in which grades of D or higher have been attained during the period for which the student’s performance was evaluated as unsatisfactory.

 

University of Alberta Sexual Violence Policy

The Sexual Violence Policy was approved by GFC in June 2017. It plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and respectful learning and working environment. As defined in the policy, sexual violence is any sexual act or act of a sexual nature, or act targeting sexuality, whether physical or psychological, committed without consent. Sexual violence is a complex and serious problem in society and on university campuses. Sexual violence can affect individuals of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations, as well as those from all ages, abilities, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. Through this policy, the University of Alberta recognizes its responsibility to reduce sexual violence in the University community. The university aims to do so by fostering a culture of consent and support through education, training and policy. The University recognizes the possible effects of trauma on those who have experienced sexual violence and supports the efforts of individuals to seek support and recover. To read the policy in more detail, please visit: University of Alberta Sexual Violence Policy
The Sexual Violence Policy was approved by GFC in June 2017. It plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and respectful learning and working environment. As defined in the policy, sexual violence is any sexual act or act of a sexual nature, or act targeting sexuality, whether physical or psychological, committed without consent. Sexual violence is a complex and serious problem in society and on university campuses. Sexual violence can affect individuals of all gender identities, gender expressions, and sexual orientations, as well as those from all ages, abilities, racial, cultural and economic backgrounds. Through this policy, the University of Alberta recognizes its responsibility to reduce sexual violence in the University community. The university aims to do so by fostering a culture of consent and support through education, training and policy. The University recognizes the possible effects of trauma on those who have experienced sexual violence and supports the efforts of individuals to seek support and recover.