California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Approved: 2/4/13
Department of Art and Design
A.

Protocol
Course Name:
Critical Writing in Art
Course Number:
ART 388
Credits:
3
Prerequisites:
None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 22
Maximum Class Size (online):
N/A
(Choose which one is appropriate or both if applicable)

B.

Objectives of the Course:
Students will be able to:
1
2.
3.
4.

C.

think critically, reflect on and assess art and design.
evaluate various forms of visual art and design.
construct and enrich their own personal theory of art and design based on
research from current visual art and design: history, art criticism and
aesthetics.
recognize and apply knowledge of developmental visual thinking and
learning as it relates to making and ‘reading’ visual art and design for
audiences of all ages and visual backgrounds.

Catalog Description:
This writing intensive course for Art and Design students prepares them for life
as a professional artist or designer. Through analysis, deconstruction and
personal investigation, students will develop necessary skills in writing about art
and design.

D.

Outline of the Course:
Through lecture, discussion, and multiple forms of examples, demonstration, and
practice, the course content will cover the following essential issues:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

E.

Written responses to relevant contemporary visual art and design issues.
Visual art and design assessment strategies
Advocating and educating public awareness of the imperative value of
visual art and design
How to deconstruct: art production; historical art context; critical and
aesthetic response
Grant writing for the visual arts and design

Teaching Methodology:
Traditional Classroom Methodology
Students will learn from: teacher-led discussions, small and large group work,
individual research using brick-and-mortar and internet-based library/research
resources, hands-on experiences in art and design processes, and time
permitting, site visits to visual art and design resources such as (but not limited
to): museums, galleries, places of public art, etc.
Online Methodology
N/A

F.

Text
No single text. This course will utilize a variety of diverse written resources
such as, but not limited to: Art Education Research Studies; the Art Bulletin;
Journal of Education and the Arts;
the Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity,
and the Arts; Artforum; CMYK; PRINT; etc.

G.

Assessment Activities:
Traditional Classroom Assessment
Students will be assessed using exams, quizzes, homework assignments,
individual and group assignments.

Students will be required to write a 20-page report during the semester. They
will submit thesis statements, paper outlines, and full-length drafts of the paper
prior to formulating their final report. At each stage of the writing process, the
students will receive feedback from the instructor and they will have the
opportunity to revise their work.
H.

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities:
• Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request
accommodations.
• Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to
receive accommodations.
• Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations, which
specifically involve the faculty.
• Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when
requesting accommodations that involve the faculty.
Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for
Students with Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the
OSD Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected
to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting
accommodations in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
• Location:
Azorsky Hall – Room 105
• Phone:
(724) 938-5781
• Fax:
(724) 938-4599
• Email:
osdmail@calu.edu
• Web Site:
http://www.calu.edu/current-students/studentservices/disability/index.htm
I.

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Examples such as but not limited to hard and digital sources of current and
relevant discipline-respected visual art and/or design journals, current texts, and
multi-media.
Additional Information for Course Proposals

J.

Proposed Instructors:
Any qualified faculty member from the Department of Art and Design

K.

Rationale for the Course:
This course will formally add a unique critical assessment piece to the body of
knowledge needed in creative academic visual art and design programs.

L.

Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
No specialized equipment is necessary.

M.

Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1.
2.
3.

4.
5.
6.

N.

Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
This course will not require additional human resources.
Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No additional physical resources are necessary for this course.
Does the course change the requirements in any particular major?
(Please explain)
All Art Education students in the Art and Design Department along with
all students majoring in Art and in Fine Arts will be required to take this
course as well as those wanting to teach workshops.
Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the
course)
This course does not replace an existing course.
How often will the course be taught?
This course will be taught every semester.
Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or
College? (If the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and
name)
This course does not replace an existing course in any other department.

If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in
another discipline, you must request a statement of support from the department
chair that houses that discipline.
This course does not include materials used in another discipline.

O.

Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu
course for General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based
on the categories for General Education. The General Education Committee must
consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by the UCC.
Yes. We have applied to make this course Upper Division Writing Intensive.
1.
2.

3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

P.

To prepare students with a broad and basic foundation of written and
spoken dialogue involving current ideas and products in visual art and
design.
To develop students’ basic essential knowledge about how to effectively
advocate for the visual arts and design through developing community
connections and awareness of regional advocacy resources such as
museums, art collaboratives, art foundations, galleries, and school
districts.
To develop students’ essential writing ability on art through critical
thought, reflection, and assessment of art and design of different mediums,
processes, technologies and media platforms.
To prepare students to appropriately choose, administer, and evaluate
various forms of visual art and design critical deconstruction and
assessment.
To develop students’ abilities to constantly update and maximize the
sources and resources or technology in the pursuit of research and
reflection in art and design.
To enable art students to broaden a personal philosophy of art and design
based on research from current visual art and design: history, art criticism
and aesthetics.
To apply knowledge of developmental visual thinking and learning as it
relates to making and ‘reading’ visual art and design for audiences of all
ages and visual backgrounds.
Provide Approval Form (electronically).