Amesbury High School

Visual Art Department

Course Syllabus: Expressive Design 1 Credit

Instructor:  Mr. R. Jackson

Office:  ART 106

Office Hours:  M-F    7:30am- 8am

Email:  jacksonr@amesburyma.org                                                                                             

Course Description

EXPRESSIVE DESIGN: 1 CREDIT

Length of course: One quarter

Grade level(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: None

Expressive Design is a comprehensive examination of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design through project-based learning. Students will explore the ideas of abstraction and self-expression in 2D and 3D mediums like drawing, painting, photography and sculpture. Basic technique and skill will provide students with the sound understanding of the visual world. Focus will be placed on the student’s involvement in the art process and classroom routines. Grading will be done on a competency-based scale (P+, P,  P-, F).

Rationale

This course aims to provide an opportunity for students to explore their interest in the visual arts. Through experiential use of various media and technique students will express and create both abstract and representational works.

Course Objectives

Students will:

-express their emotions through visual forms

-explore their abilities and interest in the visual arts

-participate in a communal studio space

-creatively solve problems

Materials

Students should be prepared to wear appropriate attire when working with many of the materials used in the curriculum.

Course Participation Requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes and be a positive and engaged member of the classroom.  All excused absences are expected to made-up, either after school or during A Block. Each unexcused absence will result in a 10-point reduction from quarter grade and the class cannot be made-up. Five lates will result in an unexcused absence and thus receive a 10-point deduction from their quarter grade.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to be respectful of both the studio space and other studio members. The studio space is shared by many students, therefore everyone is responsible for maintaining it. Students are responsible for their workspace/materials and the general upkeep of the studio space. Offensive and crude language is prohibited. Any infractions of the above classroom rules may result in a student detention, a phone call to parent and/or parent meeting.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is one form of cheating that will not be tolerated. Plagiarism includes downloading words of entire pages from online to include in students’ assignments without giving proper credit to those sources.  Students are reminded that repeated violations of these regulations affect their grades (by receiving zeroes for assignments), their behavior record, and their reputation of character and honesty. Infractions of this rule may result in serious disciplinary actions despite the fact that it may be the first offense.  (AHS Student Handbook 2018- 2019)

Grading

Students will receive a weekly grade of P+, P,  P- or F which reflects their participation, conduct, effort, productivity, level of responsibility within the studio space and of their own learning.  

Cell Phone Policy

Cell phones use is NOT permitted in the classroom at any time. There is a cell phone shoe holder that students will be required to use. If at any point during class time a cell phone is not in its designated space the student will lose 20 points in their conduct and grade for that week.

Student signature____________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature_________________________________________________________