Undergraduate Course Syllabus

COURSE:

ARHS 2200 CURRENT ART

Term: Spring semester 2014 Days: Wednesday Time: 12:00 14:30

Location:

Leiden

The Instructor: Name: Availability Email:

Ms. Machteld Aardse machteldaardse@gmail.com (machteldaardse76@webster.edu )

About the instructor Machteld (Maggie) Aardse is a Dutch visual artist based in Amsterdam. After getting a Masters Degree in Art History at the University of Amsterdam, she completed a BFA in Fine Arts at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam and an MFA in Public Art at the Dutch Art Institute in Enschede. In her work she uses many different media including drawings, performances and projections. She has taught media communications and fine art at the Moving Academy for Performing Arts and the Masters Class for Light Projection Techniques. She has exhibited her work at the Nederlandsche Bank, the New York Islands Festival, the Scheltema in Leiden, The Stedelijk W139 in Amsterdam and the Women's Art Festival in Aleppo Syria, and the Amsterdam Light Festival. Together with Aida Grovestins she finished the documentary Quitte le Pouvoir (Step Down). At the moment they are working on the animation film Women of Waalo, about female leadership and resistance in Senegal, West Africa. www.machteldaardse.nl / www.quittelepouvoir.com

Guest Speakers We will visit and meet several professional artists and curators in different fields of arts if possible in their studio, including: Linda Anderson (artist), Aernout Hagen (Museum Het Rembrandthuis), Laura Smeets and Daantje Stofefalk (curators), Joffrey van Vliet (video art director / multi media artist), Lyske Gais (conceptual artist), Berber Soepboer (fashion artist), Femke Kempkes (visual artist / sculptor).

THE COURSE

Course Definition (source: Webster University Graduate Catalogue) Surveys many of the dominant styles and theories of contemporary art. As there cannot be an accepted "received history" of the art of our own time, the content of the course will be organized along both a lineal and thematic approach, with special attention to the political and social constructs implicit in the creation of recent "avant-garde" art. Students will be introduced to the nature of the "art world," current trends in art, and the dialogues taking place both in and around its creation

Course Content The overriding theme of this course is artistic process in the context of current art practice. The primary objective is to raise awareness of several artistic working and thinking processes, related to different fields of arts. They will develop and activate their own specific creative, visual language and activate their own creative potential as tools of communication. The students will go into the field and visit artists in their studios. Students will work in groups and prepare for these visits. They will transform the information they gain into a new work on its own that could be shared with the public (drawing, collage, interview, poem, video, sound, etc.). The final result will show what they learned from the different professional artists and how they perceived their work; 4 personal portraits of current artists, in any way the student chooses & a notebook with the students own notes & a written paper. This course requires travel to Amsterdam and students are responsible for their own public transportation costs. These field trips may run later than the indicated class times.

Learning Outcomes 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Identify creative strategies in the production of art Have an appreciation of the language of visual media Explain creative decisions and process Interpret past and present artworks in terms of materials and meanings Develop a personal working methodology in the production of artistic product Working in collaborative groups

This Course has a Global Citizenship Program coding and must therefore meet the following criteria: CRITICAL THINKING skills area: 1. Critical thinking is a habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. ROOTS OF CULTURE knowledge area 1. Demonstrate understanding of the roots of human cultures and sources of meaning. This Course has a General Education coding and must therefore meet the following criteria: HUMANITIES 1. Student learns to utilize original works or texts instead of secondary interpretations 2. Student learns about multiple perspectives on themes of the human condition ARTS APPRECIATION 1. Student learns the languages and the formal qualities of the varied forms of the arts 2. Student learns through active observation, participation and response 3. Student learns about the creative process General Skills - where applicable all Webster courses will address: Writing skills. Presentation skills. Team working skills. Multicultural skills.

Note: Webster has adopted the APA style for citations in all papers and in all departments. All students are encouraged to be consistent with this in their writing.

Materials (Textbook) All students will receive a notebook

Required Material Writing material / if possible digital camera

Recommended Reading Material John Berger, Ways of Seeing, London 2008 (1972) Alfredo Cramerotti, Aesthetic Journalism, USA 2009 Catalogue Het Rembrandthuis, Museum Het Rembrandthuis Amsterdam Articles from the invited current artists Side reading: Not compulsory, but highly recommended Merleau-Ponty. The World of Perception, 2002 (1948); Michel Foucault, This is not a pipe, University Press Group 2008 (1983); Grant H. Kester, Conversation Pieces community + communication in modern art, London 2004; Linda Weintraub, In the making, creative options for contemporary art, New York, 2003 Other reading related to the artists will be researched or given during class. Examples will be shown relating to artists portraits and processes. More literature will be circulated during the course.

GRADING
Letter Grades: A (4.0), A- (3.67) B+ (3.33), B (3.0), B- (2.67) C+ (2.33), C (2.0), C- (1.67) D+ (1.33), D (1.0) F (0.0) Instructors guidelines for percentage equivalent of the letter grade: A (96-100), A- (91-95) B+ (86-90), B (81-85), B- (76-80) C+ (71-75), C (66-70), C- (61-65) D+ (56-60), D (51-55) F (0-50) Letter grades mean that in the opinion of the instructor the work was: Superior work. Good work. Satisfactory work. Passing, but less than satisfactory. Unsatisfactory. No credit is granted.

Other Designations: I Incomplete work ZF An Incomplete which was not completed within one year of the end of the course. IP Course in progress. W The student withdrew from the course NR Not reported for the course. A temporary designation given by the registrar indicating that the final grade has not been submitted by the instructor. When the final grade is filed in the office of the Registrar, that Z grade will replace the Z.

ASSESSMENT: the Instructor will evaluate students work as follows:

Description: Active Participation Presentations Homework Mid-term Assessment Final (Notebook, Paper, Own work project.) Percentage: 20% 20% 20% 20% 20% Date due

March 26 May 7

Students and Instructors will be asked to evaluate the course in a form to be handed out during week 7 of the term.

Assessment Tool

(++ = key tool; + = secondary tool,)

Presentations 20% Homework/ 20% Midterm Assessment 20% Final 20%

Active Participation 20%

Learning Specifics Learning Outcome 1 Learning Outcome 2 Learning Outcome 3 Learning Outcome 4 Learning Outcome 5 Learning Outcome 6 General Education Code: Outcome 1 Outcome 2 General Education Code: Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 General Skills Presentation skills Writing skills Team work skills Cross-cultural skills

++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ Humanities ++ ++ Arts Appreciation ++ ++ ++

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Activities
Project groups, Videos, Group activities, Internet searches, Excursions, Student presentations, Mid-term and Final assessments.

ACADEMIC POLICIES
University policies are provided in the current course catalog and course schedules. They are also available on the university website. This course is governed by the Universitys published policies. Please use the following link to see a complete overview of Webster Leidens Policies and Procedures: http://www.webster.nl/students/policies/academic-policies Academic Honesty: The University is committed to high standards of academic honesty. Students will be held responsible for violations of these standards. Please refer to the universitys academic honesty policies for a definition of academic dishonesty and potential disciplinary actions associated with it. Drop / Withdraw: Please be aware that, should you choose to drop or withdraw from a course; the date on which you notify the University of your decision will determine the amount of tuition refund you receive. Please refer to the university policies on drops and withdrawals (published elsewhere) to find out what the deadlines are for dropping a course with a full refund and for withdrawing from a course with a partial refund. Special Services: If you have registered as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations, please inform the Instructor at the beginning of the course of the accommodations you will require in this class so that these can be provided. Disturbances: Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption, disruption of class by inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises. Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course. Student Papers Retained: Student assignments and/or projects will be retained by the University for the purpose of academic assessment. Contact Hours: It is essential that all classes meet for the full instructional time as scheduled and that is: 43 contact hours for undergraduate semester classes (includes 8 hours project work); 32 contact hours for undergraduate term classes; 36 contact hours for graduate level classes. A class cannot be shortened in length. If a class session is cancelled for any reason, it must be rescheduled. Study Load per course: 8-week classes - students are expected to spend approximately 17 hours per week (21 hours including class time). 16-week classes students are expected to spend approximately 7,5 hours per week (10 hours including class time). Attendance, Participation, Assignments: Students are required to attend all classes and participate actively. Grading will partly reflect this. Class participation accounts for roughly 20% of the total grade. All classes include assignments (such as presentations or papers). Students must report to the instructor all assistance they received and all sources they used in carrying out their assignments. Otherwise they will fail the course and may also face other penalties. Auditors: are expected to attend all classes and actively participate in all aspects of the course, including mid-term and final exams, and will be provided with a Certificate of Achievement. First Class: The first session of a course is very important and cannot be missed. Therefore, in accordance with student guidelines on attendance, the instructor can request that students missing the first class without valid reason, and without having obtained permission beforehand, be dropped from the course. For this course, the instructor has requested that this rule is not enforced. Partial Absence: At the discretion of the Instructor, grading can be reduced for students who regularly arrive late for class and/or leave class early.

Pass/Fail Option (for undergraduate students only): In limited situations it is possible to take elective courses on a pass/fail basis
rather than being graded with an A, B, C, D, or F grade. Students who wish to be graded on a Pass/Fail basis, and whose instructor agrees to this, must submit their request in writing (e-mail is fine) to their advisor by the end of the second week of class.

Exam Office Policy (for undergraduate students): The University applies strict deadline regulations. Deadlines are set by
the instructor and are listed (date and time) in the course syllabus. All written assignments weighted 20% or more must be submitted not to the instructor but to examoffice@webster.nl. Assignments received after the deadline will be subject to a penalty: if received after the deadline but within 24 hours, the University recommends instructors to downgrade the assignment by one letter grade. The Exam Office does not accept assignments in undergraduate programs that are submitted more than 24 hours after the deadline, and consequently these will receive a failing grade. Faculty may, under documented circumstances and with the consent of the academic director, accept late work to be graded. If students cannot meet the deadline for valid reasons (beyond the students control, such as illness or other extenuating circumstances), the student must submit a Request for Extended Deadline form which can be downloaded from the student section on the website. Based on the reason and evidence given, the instructor is alerted and decides, in consultation with both the advisor and Head of Department, on a new deadline. Normally extensions are approved for a maximum of two weeks. Exams: Students must seek permission from the Academic Director in order to take either mid-term or final exams on a date other than that set by the Instructor. Incomplete Work Incompletes (grades of "I") will only be allowed if agreed with the instructor and officially documented with an Agreement to Complete form (available from your advisor). If no such agreement has been documented, incomplete grades will automatically revert to F two weeks after the end of term. Instructors are actively encouraged not to accept students' work after the end of term. If a student's work has been delayed by causes beyond his/her control, an agreement to complete will normally be for a period of two weeks. Further extensions require the approval of the academic director; graduate-level integrated studies (coded 6000) will be exempt from this rule. It is the student's responsibility to complete the course within the specified time.

Plagiarism is using another persons words or ideas without telling the reader. This applies not only to books and articles, but
also to sources from the internet, or copying work from your fellow students. Those who are discovered cheating or plagiarizing will normally receive a failing grade for the entire course and may even be subject to dismissal. Please dont fall into this trap. Use in-text citations and include a bibliography in all your papers. (For more information, use the link to Policies and Procedures above). Please respect your sources, your audience and yourself. Note: WIKIPEDIA is NOT a source for academic referencing and can only be used in conjunction with other source referencing.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Homework, subjects to be dealt with in the lesson, assignments, presentations, and examinations

Total study load for a semester course is 10 hours a week, with approx. 7,5 hours a week for self-study. Term courses (8 weeks) require 21 hours a week, with approx. 17 for self-study. Public holidays in Spring 2014: Good Friday Friday 18 April 2014 Easter Monday Monday 21 April 2014 Date: Lesson 1 15 January, 2014 Machteld Aardse Introduction Time 12:00-14:30

* Short introduction to the course; working methods & plan: theory / practice / archiving material / preparation visits & artists presented / midterm and final work Get to know each other: bring a touchstone object or image into class, through which you can tell a story about yourself - Creating groups - texts handouts - interview skills - process in which medium are you telling a story - first round discussion on what is art, and what is current art. We will continue this discussion every week.
Prepare for this session

You will receive a notebook / Bring pencils writing tools, sketchbooks. - Bring a touchstone object or image into class, through which you can tell a story about yourself - Do some research on the artists What did you find? What were your sources? What can you tell about the media the artist is working in? How do they differ from each other and what do you expect from the different working process? Think about what the artists visit means to you and what you want to learn from it. How to prepare yourself for a visit, what to do with the information you will get and how to prepare your own archive (organize your process) Read for next class: John Berger, Ways (I) of Seeing & Aesthetic Journalism (intro, ch.2)

Date: 2 Lesson
Prepare for this session

22 January, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Linda Anderson guest speaker Readings will be discussed in class - Choose an artist and represent the artist and his/her work in class. It can be a living artist you know personally, or otherwise visit an exhibition and look for a living artist / artwork you find interesting - Student / group presentations of your current artist. - Include statement about current art

Date: Lesson 3
Prepare for this session

29 January, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 NO CLASS This class is rescheduled to the project week and moved to 23 April PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS CLASS IS RESCHEDULED TO 23 APRIL

Date: 4 Lesson

5 Februray 2014 Time: Fieldtrip Museum Het Rembrandthuis Guide: Aerrnout Haagen make notes.

12:00-14:30

Prepare for

Prepare visit Museum Het Rembrandthuis see books in library

this session

Exhibition Rembrandt, old drawings, new names about Rembrandt and his pupils http://www.rembrandthuis.nl/ a blog: http://www.artsholland.com/blog/rembrandt-tour

Date: Lesson 5
Prepare for this session

12 February, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Linda Anderson Guest speaker - Email a review, written work (min.2pages) on your visit of the Rembrandthuis. (more details will be given in class), include images

Date: Project Week

Week of February 17-21, 2014

Time:

TBA

Activities per major, organized by your Department Head.

Prepare for this session

Details to follow from the Head of your Department

Date: Lesson 6
Prepare for this session

26 February, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Laura Smeets and Daantje Stofefalk Prepare interview / presentation about their collaboration and exhibition project vainglory

Date: Lesson 7
Prepare for this session

5 March, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Portrait 1.Joffrey van Vliet (video art director / multi media artist) presentation or studio visit Prepare interview / visit / presentation Summary (min. 1 page ) on last weeks presentation, include what you learned, and your reflections 19 March, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Portrait 2.Lyske Gais (conceptual artist) presentation and sneak preview of her films for the Zuiderzeemuseum Prepare interview / visit / presentation summary (min. 1 page ) on last weeks presentation, include what you learned, and your reflections

Date: Lesson 8
Prepare for this session

Date:

Week of March 10-14, 2014

Spring break (no classes)

Midterm papers are required to be emailed directly to: examoffice@webster.nl by 26 March 2014 and by 17:00 hours. > This is a midterm to see how you are on track. 1. Compare Rembrandt as an artist with the 2 current artists you meet during class. Include personal life, artistic practice, inspiration, vision and material. 2. Creative project proposal for a representation of the 4 artists (min.1 page) 3. Scan your favorite page of your sketchbook

Date: Lesson 9
Prepare for this session

26 March, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Portrait 3.Berber Soepboer (fashion artist) studio visit Prepare interview / visit / presentation summary (min. 1 page ) on last weeks presentation, include what you learned, and your reflections

Date: Lesson 10
Prepare for this session

2 April, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Portrait 4.Femke Kempkes (visual artist / sculptor): presentation Prepare interview / visit / presentation Summary (min. 1 page ) on last weeks presentation, include what you learned, and your reflections

Date: Lesson 11
Prepare for this session

9 April, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Discussion on all artists Organize all your images / texts (from midterm as well), notes and material Hand-outs related to the artists 16 April, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Workshop and exchange of texts and creative proposals Film extracts of different artists Organize all your images / texts (from midterm as well), notes and material Summary of the hand-outs Week of April 21-25, 2014 Time: TBA 23 April, 2014 - Workshop This is a rescheduled class!! Organize all your images / texts (from midterm as well), notes and material . Activities per major, organized by your Department Head.

Date: Lesson 12
Prepare for this session

Date: Project Week

Prepare for this session

Details to follow from the Head of your Department 30 April, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 Webster LLC - Discussion & first try-out presentation of visits Organization of the final presentation * Extra Presentation by Malia Bloedon (Head Webster Gallery)

Date: Lesson 13

Prepare for this session

- Bring everything into class. Present your work: artist portraits in any way you choose; your notebook; paper

Date: Lesson 14
Prepare for this session

7 May, 2014 Time: 12:00-14:30 GUEST LECTURE: Sandra Boer Art Partner Conclusion / presentation of artist portraits / final statement on current art Presentation of final works / papers Sandra Boer will be the jury for the final works

Final papers are required to be emailed directly to: examoffice@webster.nl by DATE and by 17:00 hours. 1. Compare the four current artists and the curators you met during class. Include personal life, artistic practice, inspiration, vision and material. Include your way of seeing / learning. Use the articles / papers / catalogues you read during the course. 2. Creative project proposal for a representation of the 4 artists

Additional Information on the course:

Irregular class dates: 29 January, 2014 -> rescheduled for 23rd of April 2014 Two lessons will be taken care by Webster Art professor Linda Anderson The schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the students The syllabus may be revised at the discretion of the instructor CONNECTIONS:A Webster.edu account is set up for each student and all Webster email correspondence to students will be sent to students Webster.edu addresses.