Art 244/245 Welcome Letter_Spring 2021

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Welcome to Hybrid: Art 244 Photo I (30812) and Art 245 Photo II (30814)

SPRING SEMESTER 2021: January 19 – May 21

THIS IS A HYBRID CLASS REQUIRING 1 WEEKLY LAB. The lecture portion of this class will be fully online with mandatory online synchronous meetings through ZOOM Monday or Wednesday from 12:00 pm - 12:50 pm as arranged by the instructor and student. The laboratory portion of this class will require attendance every Monday or Wednesday from 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm in Room 7175 as arranged between the
instructor and the student.

1st class meeting on Wednesday, January 20th at 12 noon via Zoom. To connect to our Zoom meetings, use the Navigation Links along the left-hand side of our Canvas Class to select “Art 244/245 Class Meetings (ZOOM)”. You Must Participate During Week 1 Or You May Be Dropped.

If you have not used Zoom before, please install the Zoom application on your computer.

Instructor: Douglas Highland
Email: dhighlan@cuesta.edu
Phone: 805-546-3100 ext. 2755 (please use email for prompt reply)
Office Hours: 7121/Zoom (remote for Spring - see syllabus for hours)

  • Please read all the way to the bottom.
  • To get started with your class in your Canvas see below - *Using Canvas

Meet Your Instructor:  I am an active fine art and commercial photographer living in San Luis Obispo CA and have been instructing in the Fine Arts for the past____ years (well let’s just say a lot). I am currently the Chair of the Fine Arts Division and Head of the Photography Department at Cuesta College where I have been instructing for the past 15 years. My goal is to provide all students with an inclusive, accessible, meaningful, and equitable learning environment. I want you to know that myself and the college as a whole are here for you, and we are committed to providing you with a welcoming and positive learning experience here at Cuesta College.

Instructor Contact Expectations and Policies: The best and fastest way to contact me is email, with the preferred method through Canvas Inbox. I will generally respond within 24 hours to emails received 8am-4pm during scheduled weekdays, M-F.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP, but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly synchronous lectures, in-person labs, instructor initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours.

Accommodations: This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site.Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies: Academic Honesty Policy - In addition to my course policies on the syllabus, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site.Links to an external site..

Add / Drop Policy - In addition to my course policies on the syllabus, please review these Cuesta policies.
Add PolicyLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.
Drop PolicyLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Waitlist Policy - Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site..

 

About This Course - Hey...There’s A Lot of Information Here!

For your first read through, skim the Underlined Topic Headers to get acquainted with the range of information, then return and study the details.

How This Hybrid Course Works

For Spring 2021, this course will be taught as a hybrid. It will consist of synchronous (real time) lectures fully online and required on-campus lab sessions.

  • Synchronous lectures and other learning resources will take place each week via Canvas (Cuesta’s learning management system) and Zoom, Mondays or Wednesdays 12:00-12:50pm as arranged between the instructor and the student. Additional online materials and activities are to be worked during your own schedule and should be completed prior to your weekly lab session. You may engage with the online materials on your own computer or a computer in the Cuesta libraries (both SLO and North County campuses). This course is not optimized for viewing on mobile devices. Synchronous lectures via Zoom begin for our 1st class meeting week #1, 1/20 @ 12noon.
  • Required on-campus lab sessions will be held weekly in the Photography Area darkroom on Cuesta’s SLO campus (room 7175). To maintain social distancing, you will be assigned to a cohort of no more than nine students that meets either on Monday or Wednesday from 1:30—3:20pm. Lab sessions begin week #2, 1/25 & 1/27
  • During the alternate Monday/Wednesday lecture/lab sessions that you are not on zoom or on campus, you will be expected to continue independent work on exercises and projects.
  • Weekly Time Commitment - 8 to 10 Hours for success. If you have never taken a studio art course before, you should know differ from lecture courses. For a three-unit semester-hour studio art course (which this is), you would be pursuing lab work for approx. 4 hours each week, plus 2 hours each week of lecture. Additionally, you would spend 2–4 hours each week creating photographs, online study, posting to discussions, etc. Your time requirement may vary based on your individual experience with cameras and computers.
  • A syllabus and course outline will be available in our Canvas course beginning the first day of class.
  • The final critique is scheduled for our class’s Final Exam Time. Details about this event will be announced near the end of the term, pending further developments with the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Expectations for Community Health

https://www.cuesta.edu/covid-19.htmlLinks to an external site.

Masks Are Required—The main purpose of a mask is to protect those around you from the pre-symptomatic transmission of the novel coronavirus. For this course, you are required to wear a mask that fully covers your nose and mouth at all times while on campus. The mask must be made of a material recognized for its ability to provide adequate filtration of your breath. Masks with exhaust valves that port unfiltered breath are not acceptable. Bandannas and other open-edged apparel will not be accepted as a mask. Face shields may be worn over your mask, but not as a substitute for a mask. There will be no exceptions to this requirement.

Temperatures Will Be Checked—Temperatures will be scanned at the beginning of lab sessions before you enter the building. If your temperature is above 100.4°F, you may not enter.

Hands Must Be Sanitized—You will be expected to frequently use the hand sanitizer provided during the lab sessions.

Social Distancing—As noted above, the class will be split into two cohorts as a means of providing more space between students while in the lab. You are asked to practice social distancing to the greatest extent possible.

Sanitizing Your Work Area—At the end of each on-campus class, you are expected to sanitize your work area in the lab with the provided supplies. This includes wiping the surfaces on which you worked and the gear you used.

New Expectations—These requirements may be added to or amended during the semester in response to changes in the pandemic and/or local conditions.

Course Overviews

Art 244—Photography I is an introductory course appropriate for art majors and non-majors interested in a strong grounding in the craft and techniques of photography and learning how to explore the photographic image as a tool for exploring their environment. Additionally, this course encourages the development of personal vision and teaches strategies for criticism and response to the resulting work. We will be working with traditional film cameras and darkroom processes. This will include manual control of camera functions, exposure management, developing black-and-white film, and making black-and-white prints. The course provides a hands-on introduction to the techniques, aesthetics, and cultural history of photography. Throughout the term there will be references to the history of photography as well as exposure to diverse contemporary photographers to help facilitate achieving these goals.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Implement photographic technical skill sets including camera controls, image exposure, processing, printing and the handling and maintenance of equipment and materials in finished photographic works.
  • Demonstrate the use of formal and conceptual qualities in finished photographic works.
  • Present a portfolio of photographic works that implements photographic technical skill sets and displays a synthesis of formal and conceptual qualities.
  • Examine and discuss historical and contemporary trends, language, aesthetics, culture and media in photographic works.

Textbook, Cameras and Supplies:

Textbook (required):  Photography by London, Stone, Upton.

-12th ed. is preferred, but 10th & 9th editions listed below will also work.
-Save money by purchasing a used copy or by renting. NOTE:Cuesta Bookstore will price match Amazon.
12th ed. (Pearson, 2017) ISBN: 978-0134482026 (recent prices: $132 new, $125 used, $40 rental)
10th ed. (Pearson, 2010) ISBN: 978-0205711499 (recent prices: $10–$20 used)
9th ed. (Pearson, 2007) ISBN: 978-0131752016 (recent prices: $4–$10 used)
NOTE: Do not buy/ rent the 11th edition.

Guidelines for Student Cameras:

-Cameras can be found for purchase @ Craigslist, eBay, The Photo Shop, etc.

-By the 2nd week of class you will need a SLR (single-lens reflex) 35mm film camera with manual exposure controls and a physical or PDF of the User Manual. A vintage camera will be fine (and fun!).

-Camera Manuals can be found at https://www.butkus.org/chinon/index.htmlLinks to an external site.

-Feel free to email me if you are unsure whether your camera meets the following specifications (include a link or the manufacturer and model)

• Has manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, and focus
• Uses 35mm film
• Has an interchangeable 50mm lens -or- zoom lens w/ 50mm (ex. 28-80mm or 35-70mm)
•Working light meter (an extra battery)
NOTE: There are a limited number of Cuesta film cameras available for short-term use that may be checked out by students. Plan ahead. Rental is free and runs from one class to the next.

Supplies:

(Suppliers - Cuesta Bookstore, The Photo Shop, Freestyle PhotoLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.)
By the 2nd week of class you will need to have purchased a minimum of 2-rolls 400asa black-and-white film and 25-sheets 8” x 10” photographic paper.
• Black & White Film: Ilford or Arista suggested [400ASA, 24 or 36 exposures, 8-10 rolls suggested, Not “Process C-41"].
• Photographic Paper: Ilford or Arista suggested [8” x 10”, 50-100 sheets suggested, (VC) Variable Contrast, (RC) Resin Coated, Surface = Luster, Pearl, Satin, or Semi-Matte, Do not open the box!].
NOTE: A detailed list of these supplies and other suggested consumables will be provided on the course syllabus.

 

Art 245—Photography II is an intermediate level black & white photography course building on the knowledge attained in the beginning level class. We will continue to explore techniques in the photographic medium with additional emphasis on content. The main direction of this class is to encourage development in your photographic work. This will include becoming more proficient technically, successfully communicating content visually, and presenting a personal vision through your work. Additionally, there will be an emphasis on developing critical and analytical skills both verbal and written.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an intermediate level knowledge and implementation of photographic technical skill sets including camera systems, processing, printing, material usage, and presentation in finished photographic works.
  • Employ concept through the demonstrated use of visual elements, principles of design, and creative approaches to subject matter and photographic techniques in finished photographic works.
  • Examine and discuss historical and contemporary concepts in photographic fine art through analysis of trends, language, aesthetics, culture, and media.
  • Present a portfolio of photographic works that implements and displays a synthesis of technical skill sets, formal qualities, and concept over the breadth of the finished work.

Textbook, Cameras and Supplies:

Textbook (required - 1st week of class):  Criticizing Photographs, Terry Barrett (5th ed. -or- 4th ed.)
Save money by purchasing a used copy or renting. Available at the Cuesta Bookstore, Amazon, etc. Cuesta bookstore will price match Amazon.
5th ed. ISBN: 007-3526533 (recent prices: $75 new, $50 used, $18-32 rental)
4th ed. ISBN: 007-2977434 (recent prices: $10–$30 used)

Cameras (required - 1st week of class): Can be found for purchase @ Craigslist, keh.com, The Photo Shop, etc.
By the 1st week of class you will need a 35mm or medium format film camera with manual controls. A vintage camera will be fine (and fun!).
Feel free to message me if you are unsure whether your camera meets the following specifications (include a link or the manufacturer and model).
• Has manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, and focus
• Uses 35mm or 120 film
•Working light meter (an extra battery) or hand held meter
NOTE: There are a limited number of Cuesta film cameras available for short-term use that may be checked out by students. Plan ahead. Rental is free and runs from one class to the next.

Supplies: (Suppliers - Cuesta Bookstore, The Photo Shop, Freestyle PhotoLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.)
By the 1st week of class you will need to have purchased a minimum of 3-rolls 100asa or 400asa black-and-white film and 25-sheets 8” x 10” photographic paper.
• Black & White Film: Ilford or Arista suggested [100ASA or 400ASA, 24 or 36 exposures, 10 rolls suggested].
• Photographic Paper: Ilford or Arista suggested [8” x 10”, 50-100 sheets suggested, (VC) Variable Contrast, (RC) Resin Coated, Surface = Lustre, Pearl, Satin, or Semi-Matte, Do not open the box!].
NOTE: A detailed list of supplies and other suggested consumables will be provided on the course syllabus.

Tips For Student Success

You Must Read Class Announcements - I send out class announcements through Canvas. Be sure that you configure how you receive Canvas Announcements. Options include having the announcements sent to an email address and/or as an SMS text message (suggested).

Be Patient, Especially When Starting Your First Hybrid Course - If this is your first online learning experience, expect to invest extra time to orient yourself to the course design and tools. Getting around Canvas may seem awkward at first, but after a bit you’ll feel like a pro. Be sure to look at the Canvas tutorials linked in this guide.

Celebrate Mistakes -Making mistakes sooner will start the real learning. We learn much less from our successes than we do from our failures. So, when you feel uncomfortable because you want to avoid making a mistake, just keep moving forward and know that you are learning.

Everyone Has Exactly 168 Hours Each Week / Schedule Several Days Each Week For This Class- For some students, it can be challenging finding a sustainable balance between academic, social, work, and personal pursuits. A challenge of a hybrid class is that the online portions are interrupted by day-to-day obligations and challenges. You will be far more successful if you block out regular study and work sessions over each week.

Begin Your Work Early - You are strongly encouraged to start your work on assignments as soon as possible. Remember the sooner you start, the sooner you can make mistakes and start learning! This also allows time for problems and unforeseen challenges to come up. Start early so that you can recover prior to a deadline.

Advocate For Yourself, Ask For Help - You are encouraged to be proactive in your communication with me. Waiting until shortly before a deadline to notify me or ask for help is not a path to success. Please remember that you should not expect an immediate reply to your messages, but I do strive to reply within one school day.

*Using Canvas

Pre-Course Email / Accessing Your Canvas Course For The First Time - Prior to the start of class, you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas. Be sure that you know how to log into your my.Cuesta.edu account so that you do not miss this message. If you are not familiar with logging into canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Links to an external site.Links to an external site. Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.

Step 1. To get to the host site: Go to the Cuesta College home page (www.cuesta.edu) and click on “Canvas” (upper left corner of the page)

Step 2. Log in: Enter your Canvas username and password (same as for MyCuesta).

Step 3. User Dashboard (left hand side): Click on the link for ART 'OUR CLASS - ex. 244'; this will take you to the course home page. Download the syllabus and familiarize yourself with the course.

Internet Access = Getting To Class - Significant portions of this course are conducted online. So, having reliable access to the Internet is essential. You will watch many online videos for this course. If you can watch YouTube without growing impatient with your connection speed, then your Internet access is fast enough.

Use Cuesta Computers For Free - If you do not have a computer or internet access at home, you may use the computers in Cuesta’s libraries on the SLO and North County campuses. Links: locations and hours.

This Course Is Not Optimized For Mobile Devices - While it is possible to access Canvas and the course content via a cell phone, this course is not optimized for mobile devices. You will be more successful if you routinely engage via a laptop or desktop computer.

Distance / Hybrid Education - is very different from a fully classroom-based education in that you set your own schedule for some of the online portions of the course. Remember, however, that you are still obligated to complete and submit your work by the weekly deadlines. Staying motivated and organized are very important. Set yourself up for success by looking at the Online Student Readiness TutorialsLinks to an external site..

Getting Started With Canvas LMS - Cuesta uses Canvas as its learning management system (LMS). If you have not worked with Canvas before, you can get a head start before the beginning of the semester:

Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self paced)Links to an external site.Links to an external site.

Cuesta Canvas Student Orientation VideosLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Canvas Guide: Getting Started As A StudentLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Canvas Computer SpecificationsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Setting Notifications In CanvasLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.

Cuesta Technical Help With Canvas - If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using an unsupported browser or your phone. Try using Firefox or Chrome on a desktop or laptop computer, this may solve your problem!  Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site.Links to an external site..

Canvas Support Hotline - (877) 921-7680
Additional Phone - (805) 546-3100 ext. 2802 during the hours of 7:30a-9:00p, Mon.-Thu. and 7:30a-4:00p Fri.
Email - support@cuesta.edu (describe the problem and include your name, class, section number/CRN,  and instructor’s name)

Your Class as an Online Community - While you will not be seated next to your classmates for much of this course, you will be interacting with them weekly online. Your contributions are as important as those of your peers and it is OK to express perspectives that may differ as these add to the diversity and vibrancy of experiences. “Netiquette” (Internet + etiquette) - maintaining civility, respect, and courtesy is required at all times and is expected. Any form of antagonistic behavior (flaming, trolling, etc.) will result in disciplinary action.

Please review this brief presentation for insights on the Core Rules of NetiquetteLinks to an external site.Links to an external site..

Each Week Start On The Canvas Course Home Page - It is strongly suggested that you start each week on the homepage for the course where announcements appear at the top. Next, visit the Modules tab to see the current week’s Module. There is much more to a hybrid online course than assignments, please do not immediately skip to 'assignments' when viewing your course.

Use The Canvas Calendar and To Do List - Calendar shows all of the assignments for your classes through a link on the left side navigation panel. Note that the color of items corresponds to the color of the overlay on the Dashboard. Click on the gear icon for changes. The To Do List is located on the right side of your Dashboard and is also helpful in keeping track of your upcoming assignments.

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