Syllabus
The rules we play by
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Objectives | The BFA project provides an opportunity to use all of the knowledge and skills that have been acquired over your university education. It is a self directed project. A student finishing the project should have researched a topic and then produced a body of work that demonstrates an understanding and illumination of the topic. Documentation of the process is required. The final project must be exhibited in a public venue. The highest standards in production value are expected in the final exhibit.
BYU-Idaho Learning Model
The learning model in this course is the BYU-Idaho Learning Model. In brief it consists of Prepare, Teach One Another and Ponder & Prove. For a more detailed description of the model and the expectations of everyone involved in the learning process please go to BYU-Idaho Learning Model.
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Assignments
There will be 5 major assignments with the desired outcome listed below.
Assignment No. 01 | outcome | choose, research and demonstrate a clear understanding of a topic.
Assignment No. 02 | outcome | the ability to explore a wide range of solutions
Assignment No. 03 | outcome | ability to assist others in the design process
Assignment No. 04 | outcome | produce an exhibit that is enticing and clearly communicates on multiple levels.
Assignment No. 05 | outcome | document the design process
Labs
The labs are small projects that cover basic skills required to complete this course. They will be accounted for in several ways and are part of your final grade. A portfolio, resume, website, cover letter, and list of 10 potential employers.
Preparation & Participation
Readings discussions and class critiques require a sharing of ideas and opinions and are an integral part of this course. Each of you has an obligation to yourself and to your classmates to attend each class and to share your thoughts. You are expected to give and receive constructive feedback. Class preparation & participation is part of your grade. It is important that you attend and are prepared for every class.
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Grading
Grades will be posted on Blackboard. All work is due at the beginning of class. If you are late to class, the work due that day is considered late.
Assignments may be reworked and turned in for re-grading. This option is available if the assignment is turned in on time. Both the original project and reworked project need to be turned in and meet all the expectations of the final critique.
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Course Evaluation
70% Assignments
20% Labs
10% Preparation &Participation
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Grade Scale
Most exams and projects will be graded on a standard 100-point scale. Letter grades receive the following numeric equivalents:
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Grade Scale
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 0-59
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A = Extraordinary work.
Extra effort. Exceptional quality in problem solving, communication and design. Student’s work goes beyond the assignment. Student pursues concepts and techniques above and beyond the required work for the course.
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B = Superior work.
Extra effort. Quality problem solving, communication and design. Student pursues ideas and suggestions presented in class and complete assignments above the required expectations.
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C = Required work.
Required effort. Student demonstrates their ability to analyze and participate in class using information gained through lectures, reading, and individual study.
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D = Poor work.
Student produced less than the required work for the course. Student simply repeats information given in class mechanically and even that does not demonstration required expectations for the course.
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F = Failure
A failure to complete course work with any effort or care.
Attendance
As this is a design course, your preparation and attendance is mandatory. You may miss up to two class periods with no effect upon your grade. So that you can make a good decision, the third absence will result in a failing grade (F). Arriving late, early departures, lack of participation (studying for another class, failing to bring necessary supplies) or any other actions that take your attention away from the class may constitute an absence.
Prompt and consistent attendance demonstrates professional behavior. In order for you to succeed in this course and to receive the information necessary to complete course assignments, you need to be present and on time for every class. If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to obtain the notes from a willing and responsible classmate before the next class. I may clarify assignment details. However, every attempt must be made to obtain general information from your classmates before discussing the details with me. All work including: sketches, roughs, and research are due on the assigned class date.
Attendance will be taken each day. It may be at the beginning or end of the class period.
I need to be informed of any school excused absences before the absence and require an official release form signed by the instructor.
Final Critiques
Professionalism is expected. You should dress for a business meeting, have a planned presentation based on objectives with a beginning, middle, and end. Present well crafted work that meets the needs of a target audience.
Late Work
Final Work | any work that is not ready for exhibit by the show opening is considered late. All late work will receive a 10% grade cut.
Process step blog | along the way summary blog posts of each process steps are due.
Labs | will depends on each assessment
Trauma Excuse
Each student is granted one trauma excuse. It should be used on days when a final assignment is due. The result is an extension until 5:00 pm the next school day. It doesn’t matter to me what you use it for. Just be aware that life throws a few curve balls from time to time and you want to have it when it really matters. Attendance at the final critique is required in order to use the trauma excuse.
Readings
Over the course of the semester readings will be assigned and discussed in class. This is an important part of the class and should be taken seriously. In a career field that you planning to enter soon, it is vital for you to have current information and process the information. You should have opinions about and know the issues that the industry is facing. These opinions should be based on research and analysis from a variety of sources. You should talk about these issues amongst yourselves and seek solutions.
The assigned readings are models for the kinds of essays that will be required from you in this course. If you want to make a difference in your chosen field of study it is most likely to happen if you are talking, writing and publishing about the issues that are important to the industry.
Craftsmanship
It is expected that you approach every aspect of this class with the highest level of craftsmanship. I expect projects to be well crafted physically and digitally with logical presentations and conclusions. Use all of the skills you have acquired in other classes to present your work in it’s best context.
Technology Policy
The personal use of all electronic devices during class is strictly prohibited. If one of these devices disturbs the class, audibly or other wise the class members will gladly accept a morsel of nutritional value* the next class period to make up for the disturbance. This includes listening to an iPod, in coming calls, talking or text-messaging on a cell phone, Checking e-mail on a Blackberry, etc. All such devices must be turned off. Medically necessary electronic devices (such as hearing aids) are exceptions.
Morsels of Nutritional Value | cookie sized consumables with absolutely no use of raisins.
It is also inappropriate to leave the classroom during class to take or receive electronic communications.
E-mail, youTube, instant messaging, twitter, and the next communication fad should be reserved for your personal time outside of class.
Laptops will be used at times over the semester but in-class use will be limited. I am concerned that students have a perception that working on their projects while a class discussion or critique is going on is an appropriate use of class time. Working on your own projects is a good thing but not when your efforts and attention should be focused on other class activities. If your expectation is that other members of the class give you feed back and help build an atmosphere of learning, you owe them the same courtesy. Using a computer for anything other than a specific assigned task or taking notes, is not beneficial to yourself, other class mates or the instructor.
Printing or other presentation preparations should be completed before the beginning of class.
Technology Issues
Let’s face it: technology breaks. Servers go down, transfers time out, files become corrupt. The list goes on and on. These are not considered emergencies. They are part of the normal production process. An issue you may have with technology is no excuse for late work. You need to protect yourself by managing your time and backing up your work.
Plagiarism/Copyright
It is illegal and unethical to use someone else’s work without properly crediting the sources, whether online, in print, or other. If you are not sure whether to credit a source, or to quote or paraphrase, or to use original language, please ask me in advance, or err on the side of citing the source you are using. All work for this course must be original artwork or you must have written permission to use the artwork. If you are using someone else’s work in part or in its entirety you must include their written permission when handing in your assignment.
Other
The energy you put into this class and your work will be very beneficial. I am available to help you reach your goals and succeed, but you must put forth the effort. If you have general questions, post it to the blog. That way, your fellow classmates can help you if I am not immediately available. If you need to contact me about a personal situation, you can reach me via e-mail.
This syllabus is subject to change.
