California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Art & Languages
UCC Approval date: 12/3/2018
A. Protocol
Course Name: Digital Painting I Studio
Course Number: Art 315
Credits: 3 credits, repeatable to 18 credits
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 20
Maximum Class Size (online): N/A
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Create studio projects using the digital painting media relative to the CGI Fields
Apply fundamental art theory in the studio applications to digital painting
Apply studio applications of Photoshop to digital painting
Present their own digital works
Critique student generated studio work towards making successful images

C. Catalog Description:
This is a first level digital painting studio course. It utilizes Photoshop and introduces the most important
principles and techniques towards using digital painting in the CGI fields. The focus will be on matte
painting bases, art theory, and criticism used to produce successful digital art images, individually and
collaboratively.
D. Outline of the Course:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Studio applications of Digital Painting Principles in the CGI Fields.
Studio applications of Photoshop in individual and collaborative class projects.
Implementation of Fundamental art theory to refine projects.
Integrating Photoshop features into artistic workflow to manage projects.
Composition as used in projects.
Storytelling as used in projects.
Portraying emotion as used in projects.
Lighting and Color as used in projects.
Presentation and critique of digital art images produced individually and collaboratively.

E. Teaching Methodology:
1) Traditional Classroom Methodology
Class Lectures
Class Discussions
Class Projects and Tutorials
Individual/Group Activities
Class Project & Critique
2) Online Methodology
N/A
F.

Text (Suggested)
Beginners Guide to Digital Painting in Photoshop by Nykolai Aleksander. 3DTotal Publishing.

G. Assessment Activities:

1) Traditional Classroom Assessment
Quizzes/Exams
Graded Tutorials
Short papers
Graded Critiques
Graded Works
Graded Project
2) Online Assessment
N/A
H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
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I.

Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

Title IX Syllabus Addendum

California University of Pennsylvania
Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX
of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant to the President for EEEO, Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-4014. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.
The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to
victims of sexual violence is set forth at:
•

Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, 724-938-4014

•
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•

J.

o Social Equity Home Page
www.calu.edu/SocialEquity
o Social Equity Policies
www.calu.edu/SEpolicies
o Social Equity Complaint Form
www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint
Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056
End Violence Center, Carter Hall G94, 724-938-5707
Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439
Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232
Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857
Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety &
University Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299
o EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P or go to any public pay phone
& Dial *1. (*Identify the situation as an emergency and an officer will be dispatched
immediately.)

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Additional book: Master the Art of Speed Painting: Digital Painting Techniques. 3DTotal Publishing
Websites:
https://massiveblack.com
http://www.digitaltutors.com/subject/2d-digital-painting-tutorials
http://digitaltutors.com/software/Photoshop-Digital-Painting-tutorials

Additional Information for Course Proposals
K. Proposed Instructors:
Any art instructor with digital art media experience and knowledge of Photoshop, approved by the
Department of Art & Languages.
L. Rationale for the Course:
This is the first digital painting course after new and emerging art forms. This would allow students to make
digital painting using Photoshop as used in the CGI fields. This would allow students to add a new
technological-based element to their portfolios. The cap is set at twenty (20) due to lab capacity and safety
standards.
M. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
Yes, access to Graphic Design Computer Lab with Adobe Creative Suite Software.
N. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
No, the course does not require additional human resourcesIf Yes, click here to answer Question N1,
above.
2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No, the course does not require additional physical resourcesIf Yes, click here to answer Question N2,
above.

3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No, the course does not change the requirements in any particular major.If Yes, click here to answer
Question N3, above.
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course)
No, the course does not replace an existing course in our program.If Yes, click here to answer Question
N4, above.
5) How often will the course be taught?
Once a year as needed.
Click here to add text to qualify your selection for course timing, if necessary.
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No, the course does not duplicate an existing course in another Department or College.
O. 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.
N/A
P. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC.
The course is already on the Gen Ed menu.

Q. Approval Form
Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department
Chair AND college Dean (electronically).