feedback [ barry jones ]

Course DescriptionART 410V Special Topics explores the history, theory, and practice of internet art — defined as “art meant to be experienced on-line.” We will examine and produce works in the genres of network conceptualism, hypermedia comics, non-linear narrative, and generative software. Readings, research, and artmaking projects will address issues of identity, location, collaboration, hacktivism, immersion, storytelling, insider/outsider art, design aesthetics, media synthesis, and new media design.  Barry R. JonesTrahern 422931.221.7330jonesb@apsu.edue-mail is my preferred method of communication group discussion e-mail address: apsu-internet-art@googlegroups.com course website: apsunetart.wordpress.com  Students will couple web development skills with other media production experience to create art for and residing on the internet. The emphasis  will be on making interesting, relevant, and engrossing artwork given the  constraints and strengths of the online medium. Technical software skills will be addressed as they relate to this creative process.  The projects and assignments required in this class are time-intensive  and require an average of 9 hours per week on the computer, either in a campus lab or on your own computer that contains the software used in  the class. In this course you will: Understand the inherent strengths and weaknesses of the web as a communications medium Develop artistic methods that take creative advantage of the internet’s peculiarities Understand internet art in the context of 20th/21st century art and “new media” art Produce original artworks in a variety of conceptual genres Identify methods for establishing sustained narration using minimalistic multimedia elements Create “unfinished environments” that invite user exploration and participation Identify ways in which online art can contribute to positive social change Synthesize a wide range of media production skills in the service of artmaking Layout and design images and text for the screen Develop a non-linear narrative methodology  Course RequirementsAll students must have an Austin Peay State University student e-mail account and check it often. It will be an important part of our communication during the semester.  All studio problems will be posted on the class website: apsunetart.wordpress.com .   Check this site often, as you will not receive printed copies of your studio problems.   The problem specifics, as well as examples and links will be posted on the site.  I believe that attaining skills with software can easily be done with manuals and on-line tu- torials.  There is a required software manual for this course and we will systematically go over every exercise in it together.  I will also show you how to find answers to your technical questions on the internet.  The software that we use this semester will dramatically change in the near future, so it is important that you learn to teach yourself how to use it.  Before I will answer any of your technical questions, you will be required to show me three places that you looked to find the answer.  The difficult part of this course will not be learning the software, but developing interesting ideas and communicating them effectively. I would pre- fer to focus our time together on that task.  We will have a progress critique for each studio problem so that everyone will have a chance to give and receive feed back.  The only “final” critique will take place at the end of the semester.  Your grade for each problem will not be determined at the progress critiques, but you cannot possibly do well without the class’s feedback, so attendance is mandatory.   Your final projects will be due one week after the progress critique for grading.  Unexcused absences from critiques will result in your project grade being lowered one full grade (10 pts).     This is a visual art course; often we will need to communicate to each visually through sketches and diagrams.   Your sketchbook is also a useful place to keep you class notes. You are required to actively participate in all group discussions and critiques.  Attendance The classroom experience is a vital part of college education.   Interaction with instructors and other students is an important element in the learning process.   Students are respon- sible for the material covered or assigned during any absence. Good attendance and punctuality are expected for this course and will strongly affect your grade.  Only four (4) unexcused absences will be allowed.  Every unexcused absence beyond this will lower your grade by a letter grade (10 pts).   Excused absences include religious holidays, a verifiable death in the immediate family or doctor’s note. Students should come to class on time and stay for the entire scheduled class.   Arriving late or leaving early three times will be counted as an absence.   You are responsible for the ma- terial missed when you are tardy, and please do not disturb the class.  Suggested TextsMcCloud, Scott: Understanding Comics Meadows, Mark: Pause & Effect: The Art of Interactive NarrativeGreen, Rachel: Internet ArtBlais, Joline and Ippolito, Jon: At the Edge of Art Tribe, Mark: New Media ArtManovic, Lev: The Language of New MediaMurray, Janet: Hamlet on the HolodeckWardrip-Fruin, Noah and Montfort, Nick: The New Media ReaderPacker, Randall and Jordan, Ken: Multimedia: From Wagner to Virtual RealitySpiller, Neil: Cyber Reader: Critical Writing for the Digital Era  Evaluation Each project is graded on a 100-point scale. Each project will be awarded one grade.   You may re-work one studio problem for a new grade. 90 – 100 = A 80 – 89 =   B 70 – 79 =   C 60 – 69 =   D 59 and below = F  Late Work  All student work must be turned in on time.   An unexcused absence from a critique will result in your project grade being reduced one full letter grade (10 pts).   Late work will be reduced one full letter grade (10 pts) for every class late.   It is your responsibility to turn your work in on time, and to catch up when you are absent from class.  Plagiarism  Plagiarism, which is the use as one’s own of material originated by others, will not be toler- ated.   Frequent examples include:   failure to document properly a paraphrase or quote; buying or selling a paper; and permitting someone else to create work which one submits as his/her own.   Plagiarism, as well as any other form of cheating, will be result in a grade of ”0″ on the paper, quiz, or studio problem.   More than one instance of plagiarism will result in failure of the course.      Materials List •  1 GB Flash Drive •  mini-dv tapes •  CD-R media with plastic cases •  Sketchbook  Disability Policy  Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encour- aged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; Telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.  Policy on Minors  Minors (any non-student under that age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visi- tors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.  Academic and Classroom Misconduct  Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and class- room misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the “Code of Student Conduct” in the new Student Handbook for the understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting.  The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating cir- cumstances.