NM 438 002: M, W 2:45 – 4:00 pm,  Lab ZS 201
NM 438 001: M, W 4:10 - 5:25 pm, Lab ZS 201
3 credit hours, Prerequisite: NM 322 


Instructor: Lorraine Walsh
office: 213 Zeis Hall
phone: 828.350.4572
email: lwalsh@unca.edu
office hours: T, Th 3:00-4:00 pm, W 1:00-2:00 pm

NM 438 is an Information Literacy Intensive course.

Please refer to http://www2.unca.edu/ils/infolit/slos.htm for ILI Student Learning Outcomes.



COURSE DESCRIPTION

NM 438 is the Senior Capstone experience for all graduating seniors. Students work on two projects in the media of their declared emphasis area: 1) 2D/ 3D animation, 2) Interactive new media art and design, 3) Video art and production.

The Senior Capstone projects, individual and collaborative-based, requires rigorous research and critical thinking. Emphasis is placed upon concept, craft, and effective delivery. The student’s project will embody and evident conceptual thinking, with the successful integration of media and ideas, alongside knowledge of contemporary practice and art history. A varied range of creative methods and technologies will be introduced to assist the student in the artistic process for the realization of individual and collaborative projects. Successful projects require initiative, self-directedness, dedication, collaboration with peers, as well as imaginative solutions and serious student research.

Note: Varied software applications will be explored. The student’s emphasis area will determine software research and development. The student will combine technologies and craft with the integration of traditional and new media.

OBJECTIVES


• Student’s final project embodies and evidences conceptual thinking. The project successfully integrates media with a purposeful concept.
• Students demonstrate ample evidence of solid craftsmanship and technical innovation in their work.
• Students lucidly and insightfully convey conceptual goals and inquiry in their projects. She/he clearly expresses its relevance or non-relevance to contemporary culture.
• Students gain a broad awareness of their own goals in the context of contemporary global / networked cultures, demonstrating respect and courtesy toward the differences of others.
• Students begin to understand the ways in which art, media, and culture affect each other and society.
• Students recognize their own agency as media artists, and become confident exercising that agency.
• Students negotiate an ongoing personal ethic of innovation and risk regarding cultural/environmental sustainability and stewardship.
• Students learn to research and realize ideas, allowing process to inform and shape without dictating the final form.
• Students learn how to select and edit while understanding software constraints and how to utilize them.
• Students allow concepts and ideas to inform, surprise, and challenge -- collaborating with their peers in the process.
• Students invent a robust and sustainable foundation, which will support a lifelong art practice that combines self-directed studio work with collaborative practice, rigorous research, and theoretical inquiry.


PROJECTS


Students work in the media of their declared MMAS emphasis area: 1) 2D/ 3D animation, 2) Interactive new media art and design, or 3) Video art and production.

Project 1:  Collaborative Senior Capstone Project
Project 2:  Individual Senior Capstone Project  

All final projects must be documented. All final work to be turned in on a CD or DVD.

TEXT


Required:
“Digital Art” by Christiane Paul, Thames and Hudson

SUPPLIES


Sketchbook, USB key, CD-Rs/DVD-Rs, Firewire/USB external hard drive

EVALUATION

Project 1:  35 %
Project 2:  35 %
Weekly grade*: 30 %

total                 100 %

*Participation, development, research, documentation, creative brief, discussion, weekly readings, commentaries.

Grading Scale:  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  1.00;  F 0.00


IMPORTANT

You will be expected to work on your projects outside of class between 6 and 10 hours per week. Development of your projects will be reviewed on a weekly basis. Also, remember to backup your work on a regular basis.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance at all class sessions is essential for successful learning. Instruction and information provided in class is difficult to repeat outside the classroom. Non-attendance affects the quality and the quantity of your work. Excessive lateness will also significantly lower your grade. If it’s unavoidable to miss a class, contact me via e-mail or phone.  Please communicate extenuating circumstances.

• Any student absence beyond one will lower your final grade.
• Each unexcused absence beyond three will lower grade by one full letter. No kidding!
• Being late for class past 10 minutes is considered an absence.
• Consistent tardies will be counted as an absence (3 late arrivals = 1 absence).


NOTES and EQUIPMENT CHECKOUT POLICIES

You will be expected to work on your projects outside of class between 6 and 10 hours per week. The MMAS recorders, video equipment and still cameras are available by scheduling checkouts. You are responsible for repairs in the event of any damage. Handle all equipment with care!  


CONTACT

The best way to contact me outside of class is via e-mail at lwalsh@unca.edu. My office hours are as posted. If I’m not available during office hours, please contact Associate Program Assistant Tina McCants. I’m also available for individual appointments – please don’t hesitate to e-mail me and we’ll set up a time to meet.

 

DOCUMENTS:

> Abstract for Collaborative Project I


COURSE SCHEDULE: NM 438: SENIOR CAPSTONE PROJECT

The following course schedule is subject to change. Advance notice will be provided.

PROJECT ONE: Collaborative Project

WEEK 1 - 3

WEEK 4 - 6

WEEK 7

WEEK 8

PROJECT TWO: Individual Project

Initial discussion and concept Project Two: Individual project

WEEK 9 - 11 

• Research and development phase 1
• Screenings of work by new media artists and designers

Assignment: 
Conceptual development for Project Two: Individual project
Define interests and goals; determine technical requirements
Initial abstract with visuals due; submit working schedule
Assigned readings from texts.

WEEK 12 - 14

• Research and development phase 2
• Screenings of work by new media artists and designers

Assignment: 
Assigned readings

WEEK 15

• Work Day

 

TUES, 4/24 FINAL - CRITIQUE PROJECT TWO - Presentation to NM Faculty


MMAS 438 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE


Weeks 1 – 3

Intro to course
Initial Concept Project One
Research + Development
Phase 1

 1/9, 1/11
1/18

No Classes Mon, MLK Day, 1/16

 

1/23, 1/25

 

Weeks 4 – 6

Research + Development
Phase 2

1/30, 2/1

 

2/6, 2/8

 

2/13, 2/15

 

Week 7

Final Phase

2/20, 2/22

 

Week 8  

 

 

2/27, 2/29

CRITIQUE PROJECT ONE

THURS 3/1
Presentation to NM Faculty

Spring Break

 

No Classes M - F
3/5 - 3/9

 

Weeks 9 - 11

Initial Concept Project Two Research + Development
Phase 1

3/12, 3/14

 

3/19, 3/21

 

  

3/26, 3/28

 

Weeks 12 – 14

Research + Development
Phase 2

4/2, 4/4

  

4/9, 4/11

 

4/16
No Classes Wed, UGR Day, 4/18

 

Week 15

Final Phase

4/23

 

 

 

CRITIQUE PROJECT TWO

TUES 4/24
Presentation to NM Faculty

 

 

 

 

 


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