COURSE SYLLABUS | FALL 2019

DATE: August 21, 2019 COURSE NUMBER: MULTI SECTION: MULTI

COURSE TITLE MFA Seminar and Theory – MUTLI Level

MEETING TIME 3:30 – 6:15 DAY(S) Tu ROOM RUTL 127

PROFESSOR Dr. Michelle Aaron Livek Garner OFFICE MCL 244
EMAIL livekma@winthrop.edu PHONE (803)323-3237
OFFICE HOURS M-F 8am-9am by appointment only

Graduate level seminar course designed to create a framework for thinking, writing,
COURSE and researching theoretical and aesthetic issues relating to contemporary art and
CATALOG creative practices in addition to providing critiques and discussions of creative work
DESCRIPTION and research.

TEXT(S) USED

OTHER COURSE
REQUIREMENTS

Competency 1: Winthrop graduates think critically and solve problems.

Winthrop University graduates reason logically, evaluate and use evidence, and
solve problems. They seek out and assess relevant information from multiple
UNIVERSITY viewpoints to form well-reasoned conclusions. Winthrop graduates consider the full
LEVEL context and consequences of their decisions and continually reexamine their own
COMPETENCIES critical thinking process, including the strengths and weaknesses of their arguments.
*you need to
include at least Competency 3: Winthrop graduates understand the interconnected nature of
one. These three the world and the time in which they live.
work for most Winthrop University graduates comprehend the historical, social, and global
Department of Fine contexts of their disciplines and their lives. They also recognize how their chosen
Arts classes area of study is inextricably linked to other fields. Winthrop graduates collaborate
with members of diverse academic, professional, and cultural communities as
informed and engaged citizens.
 Competency 4: Winthrop graduates communicate effectively.
Winthrop University graduates communicate in a manner appropriate to the subject,
occasion, and audience. They create texts - including but not limited to written, oral,
and visual presentations - that convey content effectively. Mindful of their voice and
the impact of their communication, Winthrop graduates successfully express and
exchange ideas.

 To develop the students’ ability to place their creative work into historical
and contemporary contexts.
 To develop the students’ ability to reflect on the concepts and aesthetic
STUDENT aspects of their creative work.
LEARNING  To develop the students’ ability to analyse and critically respond to the work
OUTCOMES of peer students at a graduate level.
 To develop the students’ ability to write about their own work and the work
of contemporary artists and practices.

 Foster a sense of community and peer rapport

within the MFA program; build presentation,
research, writing, and installation skills; expand
knowledge of field; provide diverse criticism via
visiting artists and by rotating the instructor each
semester.
 Graduate level seminar course required for all MFA
INSTRUCTOR students.
EXPECTATIONS  Readings, lectures, and discussions deal with
theoretical and aesthetic issues relating to
contemporary art practices
 Provides group critiques, visiting artist lectures, and
other experiences to entire MFA student body.
 Course content includes intensive writing exercises
including the creation of artist statements for each
critique session

Assessment Due Date

 In class discussion facilitation
 In class “Interesting Artist” Due: TBD individually 10%
presentation
Midterm Blog Due: Midterm 25%
DUE DATES AND
“Ism” Group presentation Due: TBD 10%
GRADE Final Blog Due: Final 25%
WEIGHTING Participation and In-Class
Performance Ongoing 30%
(including critiques)

A 92-100 Designates work of superior quality

A- 90-91
B+ 88-89 Designates work of high quality
B 82-87
LETTER GRADE B- 80-81
SCALE C+ 78-79 Work minimally meets the course requirements
C 72-77
C- 70-71
D 61-69 Reflects minimal comprehension or performance
F 0-59 Unsatisfactory Performance
 Should the student miss a session, it is their responsibility to ask instructor or
colleagues for the notes, lecture materials and any other information distributed in
ATTENDANCE class. Please see deadlines/late work sections to policies regarding missed
assignments and projects. The instructor will arrange for a reasonable amount of
POLICY
time to answer questions, but do not expect the instructor to entirely repeat the
missed session.

Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals. The policy
STUDENT CODE on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code
OF CONDUCT Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook
(http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).
Winthrop University is committed to providing accessible learning experiences and
equal access to education for all students. The syllabus is available in alternate
formats upon request.

If you are a student with a disability (including mental health concerns, chronic or
STUDENTS WITH temporary medical conditions, learning disabilities, etc.) and you anticipate or
DISABILITIES OR experience academic barriers due to the condition, please contact The Office of
CHRONIC Accessibility (OA) for information on accommodations, registration, and
MEDICAL procedures. After receiving approval for accommodations through OA, please make
ILLNESS arrangements with me as soon as possible to discuss your accommodations so that
they may be implemented in a timely manner.

OA contact information: accessibility@winthrop.edu; 803-323-3290; 307 Bancroft

Hall Annex.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with
respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin,
SAFE ZONE religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally,
STATEMENT diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged provided all can agree to
disagree. It is the professor’s expectation that all students consider the classroom a
safe environment.

Health and Safety In case of an emergency: Call Campus Police 803-323-3333

HEALTH AND  Eye Wash Stations and First Aid Kits are located by the sinks in both
sculpture studios.
SAFETY  A link to Fine Arts Handbooks
http://www.winthrop.edu/cvpa/FINEARTS/default.aspx?id=24784 including
Health and Safety Manual and Student Handbook. A hard copy of the health
and safety manual and all MSDS sheets are located in the sculpture studio.

SYLLABUS
The syllabus can be changed by the professor throughout the semester. Students
CHANGE will be notified of changes to the calendar and any other changes.
POLICY
COURSE CALENDAR
Week To Prepare for Class (before)
1 8/20
Post your blog. Review your
posting and refine.
Find a piece of your own
2 8/27 artwork that is easy to
transport to class. This piece
will be used to help you
describe your reactions to the
reading. (Informal critique)
Homework to do after
Tuesday (during)
class:
Introductions, Syllabus and
Intentions of the Course Read: Art & Fear pg 1 - 36
Content. Art and Fear Blog: React to the reading.
Conversations.
Visit blog posts in class and
create a discussion about your
reactions. (Renee)
Interesting artist (Christina)
Read: Art & Fear pg 37 – 77
The view of the reading from
the Blog: React to the reading.
the piece that you brought.
“Name” your process activity.

“Name” your approach activity.

Post your blog. Review your
posting and refine.
3 9/3
Bring/prepare a piece of
artwork to formally critique.
Visit blog posts in class and
create a discussion about your
reactions. (Anna)
Read: Chapter 1 in Why?
Interesting artist (Lauren)
Blog: React to the reading.
Visual Thinking Strategies
critique.

Read: your “ism” in Why?

Post your blog. Review your
posting and refine.
3 9/10
Bring/prepare a piece of
artwork to formally critique.
Visit blog posts in class and
create a discussion about your
reactions. (Morgan)
Interesting artist (Kye)
Silent: Artist driven critique.
Realism, Expressionism and Cognitivism,
Formalism, Postmodern Pluralism,
(Functionalism?)
Group work: Create a short
presentation about your section
of the book and be prepared to
present.

Read: Introduction-Social
Realism Group (3:15 – 4:00) Theory- Its Uses and pleasures
Prepare your presentation and
in Lemert (approx. 4 hours)
practice it. It should involve
Expressionism Group (4:10 –
4 9/17 audience participation.
5:00) Blog: React to the reading in the
form of a
Arrive early.
Formalism Group (5:10 – 6:00) map/topography/cartography,etc

Post your blog. Review your Postmodern Pluralism Group

posting and refine.
Postmodern Pluralism group
prepare your presentation and
5 9/24 practice it. It should involve
audience participation.
Arrive early.
(3:15 – 4:00)
Interesting artist (Tricia)
Social Theory Introduction
chapter discussion (Oscar) &
Liv
Read: Your chosen sections of
Lemert
Blog: WHY does this brand of
theory/theorist inform your
artwork more than others?
Support your answer.

Post your blog. Review your

Midterm Critique of BLOG and
posting and refine.
6 10/1 thinking and facilitation in class. None.
 Social Theory Blog Discussion
(Christina)

Interesting Artist (Renee)

Theoretical Production
Introduction and schematics. In
class work.
Read: Media Theory
MEDIA THEORY
7 10/8
lecture/introduction.
Blog: React to the reading.
Refine Artist Statement

Blog: State HOW you have

8 10/15 NO CLASS updated your Artist Statement
and WHY

Theoretical Production
Visit blog posts in class and
Draft of Artist Statement
create a discussion about your
reactions. (Lauren) Refine Artist Statement
Revisit Media Theory Thinking
9 10/22 and Reading to prepare for
Interesting artist (Morgan)
discussion
Theoretical Production
Media theory blog entry
Artist Statement Workshop
Visit blog posts in class and
create a discussion about your
Bring/prepare a piece of Blog: TBD
reactions. (Renee)
10 10/29 artwork to formally critique.
Theoretical Production
Interesting artist (Christina)

Visit blog posts in class and

create a discussion about your
Bring/prepare a piece of reactions. (Kye)
Blog: TBD
artwork to formally critique.
11 11/5
Interesting artist (Oscar)
Theoretical Production
Election Day
GUEST CRITIQUE – Claudia
O’Steen
Visit blog posts in class and
create a discussion about your
Bring/prepare a piece of reactions. (Tricia) Blog: TBD
12 11/12 artwork to formally critique.
Interesting artist (Anna) Theoretical Production

GUEST CRITIQUE/TBD
Bring/prepare a piece of
13 11/19 artwork to formally critique. GUEST CRITIQUE/TBD Theoretical Production

Complete Theoretical Theoretical Production

14 11/26
Production Presentation - ALL

Study
15
Day

16 Final

FINAL CRITIQUE: Monday, December 9, 11:30am

Liv’s No-Fail Blog Recipe:

1. Outline and sketch out the point of the writing on scrap paper, post-its, the top of your
desk.. whatever.. Just pre-think your writing.
2. Ask yourself who your intended audience is, and aim your style toward that audience.
3. Sit down. Hands on Keyboard. Type it all the way out.
4. Remove repetitive thoughts thoughts.
5. Edit out superfluous additions.
6. Cite your sources the very best that you can. Do this casually at the very least.
7. Find the headline among the story. Turn this into your title.
8. Support your thinking with images (total bonus for your readers).
9. Re-read it. Is it a good fit for your audience? Are you clear?