Portland State University/Art 112 Idea and Form/M,W 9:00-11:50 a.m.

Instructor: Eva Speer/ evamariespeer@gmail.com/ 206.940.4583/ office hours by appt.

Course Description:
This course introduces critical approaches to understanding the languages of visual systems in culture at
large. It follows the intersection and flow of many perspectives: the singular, aesthetic, historical, social,
ethical and technological to examine the ways cultural dynamics shape the meanings and perceptions
of images in art and popular culture. We will explore the topics of perception and representation, icons
and ideology, meaning construction, power and propaganda and visual technologies through readings,
illustrated lectures, group discussion, writing assignments, studio projects and field trips.

Objectives:
Gain an understanding of basic visual studies concepts
Demonstrate an ability to collect, analyze, and interpret information
Develop an ability to think about information and images within shifting contexts
Apply critical skills to the development of artistic projects

Requirements:
● Attend every class on time and prepared. Be open, functional and constructive.
● Complete assignments on time. Be prepared to work four hours at home for every class period.
Complete missed work as soon as possible; unexcused late work will receive lower grades.
● Complete and reflect on assigned daily readings in preparation for discussions and quizzes. There
will be ten total quizzes on the readings with the lowest score dropped.
● Be prepared to lead discussions as instructor requests.
● Create a blog. You will design a blog (http://www.blogger.com/start) that will link to the class
blog (http://objectinitsveil.blogspot.com/). You will post at least one entry per week, with
uploaded images, comments about class discussions, responses to questions and links to other
articles and sites pertaining to class activities. It is your responsibility to check in with the class
blog to keep informed about projects, schedules and assignments.
● Create and maintain a personal image archive (upload online and/or store in a file). Collect
images online and from print materials for use in studio projects. Gather anything that you make
or that catches your eye; it does not have to follow a theme. Take a digital camera with you
during the day and snap photos.
● Complete five studio projects to complement class topics.

Required Texts:
Sturken & Cartwright, Practices of Looking: an Intro to Visual Culture, 2nd ed. Oxford University Press, 2009
Art112 Reader, Instructor: Eva Speer (available at Clean-Copy, 1704 SW Broadway Portland, 97201 503.294.3999)

Evaluation:
20% Attendance/Participation
30% Quizzes
40% Projects
10% Blog/Archive
* You may schedule private appointments with instructor to track your mid-term progress.

Schedule (subject to changes):

Week 1:
Monday, September 27: Course Introduction, syllabus overview, blogs.
Reading for Wednesday: POL ch. 1, pp. 9-26

Wednesday, September 29:

 Reading for Monday: POL ch. 1, pp. 26-46

Week 2:
Monday, October 4: Reading for Wednesday: POL ch. 2, pp. 49-62

Wednesday, October 6: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 2, pp. 62-89

Week 3:
Monday, October 11: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, October 13: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 4, pp. 141-150

Week4:
Monday, October 18: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, October 20: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 4, pp. 151-182

Week 5:
Monday, October 25: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, October 27: Reading for Monday:

Week 6:
Monday, November 1: Reading for Wednesday: POL ch. 5, pp. 183-203

Wednesday, November 3: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 5, pp. 204-219

Week 7:
Monday, November 8: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, November 10: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 6, pp. 223-247

Week 8:
Monday, November 15: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, November 17: Reading for Monday: POL ch. 8, pp. 307-328

Week 9:
Monday, November 22: Reading for Wednesday: POL ch. 8, pp. 328-343

Wednesday, November 24 Reading for Monday:

Week 10:
Monday, November 29: Reading for Wednesday:

Wednesday, December 1: Reading for Monday:

Week 11:
Monday, December 6: