Course Syllabus

Welcome to the course.  

• Course Number: ATFA 6200
• Prerequisite: ATFA 6100
• Course credits: 3
• Faculty:  Beth Krensky
• Office: 375 South 1530 East Rm: 341
• Phone: (801) 585 - 7979
• E-mail: beth.krensky@utah.edu
• Office hours:   ART 341

This online course examines the development of arts education in its connection to general education and community engagement, exploring the relationships among context, content, artistic medium and pedagogical practice. Students will explore the role of the arts as tools for personal, interpersonal, social and environmental action and apply these models to school and community arts education settings.  This is an interactive, hands-on course which will require you to participate fully in online class meetings as we research the field of arts education (how arts education is perceived and why, technology and the arts, professionalism and standards).

1. Compare the relationship between formal and informal learning/performance in the arts.
2. Describe how the artistic process functions as a mode of learning.
3. Analyze and illustrate how arts education theory can influence the design of arts learning experiences.
4. Research arts education as a field (how arts education is perceived and why, technology and the arts, professionalism and standards).
5. Synthesize knowledge of historical art education as a form of action and apply those concepts in new contexts.
6. Collaborate with and respond to the work of peers in the course.

Freire, P. (1975/2000). Cultural Action for Freedom. Cambridge, MA: Harvard Educational Review.

Krensky, B. and Steffen, S. (2009). Engaging Classrooms and Communities through Art: A Guide to Implementing Community-Based Art Education. Rowman & Littlefield.

These readings can be purchased at the University of Utah Campus Store or online. They are also available on 2-hour reserve at the Marriott Library. 

Grading Scale:

A   93-100% 
A-  90-92
B+  87-89
B    83-86
B-   80-82
C+  77-79
C    73-76
C-   70-72
D+  67-69
D    63-66
D-   60-62
You must receive a percentage score of > 73% to pass this course.

Course Requirements and Grading

• Active Participation in Online Discussion Boards (100 points) You are expected to respond weekly to posted discussion questions for each reading.

• Collective Art as Action Presentation (10 points) You will create a 5-minute presentation (with visuals) about an artist or arts organization that uses the arts collectively to address any form of participant-centered action. The presentation should include: 1) General info. about the org. or teaching artist (what their mission is; what they do; who they serve; etc.); 2) Visual examples of some of the art/projects they have done; 3) Why the approach is participant-centered; 4) What you think is unique, important and relevant about this particular organization or artist; and 5) How you may use some aspect of what they do in your own teaching/practice.

• Create an Assets Map of your school or community (5 points) You will create a one-page visual, graphic or written assets map about your site (school or community organization). Some possible research methods may include: interviews, participant observation, and/or reviewing written materials. This should be a professional document that is complete, well-organized, and clear such that any individual or group of people could understand the assets of the community you have mapped.

• Designing, Implementing and Evaluating Art as Action Project (45 total points: 15 points for each component) You will be responsible for planning and evaluating a participant-centered, collective art project that facilitates action. This project should include 2-3 50-60 minute sessions.

• Create a short movie about your Art as Action Project (20 points) You will create a 4-5 minute movie that includes: Visual documentation of your Art as Action Project (including participants in action, the finished project and anything else you think is important to include); Insights you gained by planning, implementing and evaluating this project; What would you do differently if you repeated this project?; and comments/insights from the participants.

• History of Art as Action Voice-Over PowerPoint or Spark Presentation (20 points) This presentation should provide an overview of the history and different theories that shape a specific area of activist art. It should also provide a history of the medium you will be exploring in your Collective Art as Action art project. There should be a minimum of 5 citations. 

All students are expected to contribute effectively to the learning process and contribute to the online community.

Attendance & Punctuality:

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING                                                                                                      Note: It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that your assignments are received/performed by the listed deadlines.  No late assignments will be accepted.

??Attendance Policy - Please Note: Due to the hands-on nature of this class, attendance is mandatory.  Full and active participation both enhances your learning and supports the entire class.  Except for medical and family emergencies, each missed class session will lower your final grade by 10%. For online course work: Instructors will grade assignments Friday afternoons since assignments are due Thursday evenings. Instructors are available via CANVAS Fridays between 9:00-3:00 as well as afternoons M-TH between 12:00-3:00 to answer emails and inquiries. For discussion boards, instructors will join Tuesday afternoons after they are posted each Monday.

Participation:

Is crucial in regards to group assignments, discussion boards, and sharings. Most of your grade resides in this component of the class structure.

Email and via Canvas are the preferred methods of communication.

If you can come to the University campus, the Marriott Library offers writing tutors for undergraduates.

Need off-campus tutoring help with your writing?  Access etutoring and click the blue button to log in with your Unid.

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The Technical Requirements page identifies the browsers, operating systems, and plugins that work best with Canvas. If you are new to Canvas quickly review the Canvas Student Tour materials.

We strongly recommend you have at least two browsers on your computer:  Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.  If something in Canvas isn't working correctly, copy the page URL and open it in a different browser.  This often solves the problem.

All students at the University of Utah agree to certain rights and responsibilities. Please review these and other University of Utah policies and procedures. Also, please review the core rules of netiquette for some guidelines and expectations on how to behave in an online learning environment.

The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services, and activities for people with disabilities. Reasonable prior notice is needed to arrange accommodations. Evidence of practices not consistent with these policies should be reported to the University’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator: Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, 201 S. Presidents Cr., Rm 135, Salt Lake City, UT. 84112. (801)581-8365 (V/TDD).

You can find descriptions of all the University of Utah policies at the website of the registrar.

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