The Art School at DePaul University

syllabus — ART 392 — SENIOR STUDIO SEMINAR (CAPSTONE)

 

 

 

 

Instructor: Jessica Larva

e-mail: jlarva@depaul.edu

Office: The Art School at DePaul, 1150 West Fullerton Avenue, room 321

In-Person Office Hours: Tues 1:00-2:00pm; email me for an appointment.

Virtual Office Hours: Via zoom.
Wednesday 10:30-11:30am by appointment or email me to schedule a different time.
Office Hours Zoom Link: https://depaul.zoom.us/j/800076417 (Password required)

 

 

Online Syllabus & Schedule:   http://jessicalarva.com/depaul.html (also linked on D2L)

Course Home on D2L: https://d2l.depaul.edu

 

Class Days & Times: Spring Quarter 2025, Tuesday & Thursday, 2:40-5:25pm CST

Class Section: Art 392, section 301

Classroom: The Art School at DePaul,1150 West Fullerton Avenue, room 329

Alternate Classrooms: critique room 211 & production studios  (find us if you are late)

 

Hybrid Meeting Zoom Link (this is the same as the virtual office hours zoom link): https://depaul.zoom.us/j/800076417 (Password required)

 

Syllabus Links: course information, important information for you, schedule and attendance, grading, reading, writing and citing sources, supplies
link to the full schedule and assignments page

 

 

 

 

Welcome Message:
I am looking forward to working with each of you during this unique exhibition experience! This class is focused on developing, creating, refining, and producing a strong exhibition-quality artwork (or series of exhibition works) for public display. You will spend a great deal of time working outside of class on your exhibition work and will check in with your “art network” to get critical feedback and refine your direction. Your network includes peers in this class, your instructor (me), DePaul student artists, faculty and staff mentors, and other emerging or established artists (or their writings). We will work closely with each other in this challenging and rewarding experience to achieve the best results for each individual artist in the class and for the group/exhibition as a whole.

The more you share with me and ask questions on your own behalf, the better I can address your specific goals and concerns. Please keep me in the loop about things so I can work with you, and feel free to reach out to me regarding any matter at all.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE ON PARTICIPATION
Participation is required. This is a hands-on studio course which requires the production, review, critique and discussion of studio-based works of art and design. Participation also includes having your materials organized and ready to work when class begins, setting your intention for what you plan to accomplish that day and how you will actively contribute to the class. Active listening, taking notes and discussion is a major aspect of this course, please be ready to participate on all levels.


AT A GLANCE - PROJECT FINAL DUE DATES      

Week One        4/03      Artist Presentation Due

                           4/03      Signed Syllabus Contract Due

Week Two       4/10      Process Journal 1 Due

Week Three    4/15      Project Proposal Due

                           4/17      Process Journal 2 Due

Week Four      4/22      One-Third Art Thesis Work In Progress Due

Week Five       5/01      Midterm Art Thesis Work In Progress Due

                           5/01      Process Journal 3 Due

Week Six         5/08      Process Journal 4 Due

Week Seven    5/15      Exhibition Documents Drafts Due

Week Eight     5/22      Exhibition Documents Final Due

                           5/22      Art Thesis Project Due

Week Nine       5/29      Process Journal 5 Due

Week Ten        6/03      Wrap Artwork To Transport To Dpam

                           6/05      Final Exam Reflection Paper Due

Finals Week    6/10      Individual Critique Meetings (day1)

                           6/11      Individual Critique Meetings (day2)

                           6/11      Individual Critique Summaries Due

                           6/12      Senior Students Thesis Exhibition

Wrap Up           6/17      Artwork Pick Up

 

See this SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS link for all dates and assignment descriptions.

 

 

AT A GLANCE - HYBRID ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS CLASS DATES 

Week Two       4/10      (Asynchronous Field Trip)

Week Three    4/17

Week Four      4/24

Week Six         5/08

Week Ten        6/05

See this SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS link for all dates and assignment descriptions.

 

 

Course Information:

 

Course Catalog Information: An intensive capstone seminar of contemporary art theory and studio practice in the student's area of concentration. Required for graduation in Studio Art and in Media Arts. Senior status and major in the Art School.

Please see this Capstone Pathway describing ART 392, 393, and 394 courses.

 

Additional Description: This is a demanding course that begins with intensive studio work, professional practice work, and critique, then culminates with formalizing your work for public exhibition (often in the DePaul Art Museum). Assignments will require many hours of time spent working independently outside of class.

 

Course Methods and Format: This class is a Hybrid format, and it will include meetings in-person (in class), and asynchronous on-line assignments. Class meetings/discussions/presentations may not be recorded without my approval before a class session begins. The D2L site for this class requires logging in and submitting graded work every week.

 

Course Expectations:
FORMAL

• Students will gain a greater sensitivity and command of their artistic process by formally presenting their work.

• Lectures, presentations, reading and discussion focused on research strategies and career trajectories will aid in contextualizing students' artistic developments.

• Students will produce a visual art & design thesis project that is a comprehensive investigation of a specific topic of the students choice, resulting in a refined finalized work appropriate for public exhibition. This work will be informed by concepts and process present in the students current body of work and draw from their studio and liberal arts educational background.

• Through formal critique, presentations and critical writing assignments students will learn to interpret, contextualize and describe their work and the work of other artists.

 

INFORMAL

• In an “open studio” model students will be able to informally engage in critique and discussion of work in progress offering feedback and skill-sharing.

• Students will be encourage to cultivate “studio culture” through informal engagement in the studio and outside of the institution by reaching out to a larger art & design community and attending social events, lectures and exhibitions.

 

Course Requirements:

STUDIO WORK

1. Students are required to complete an Art Thesis Project. Thesis projects will be exhibited as part of the Senior Students Thesis Exhibition, which will take place at the DePaul Art Museum. For the project to be considered for the thesis exhibition, it will need to be fully realized and professionally presented. Incomplete or unprofessional work will not be accepted or exhibited.

2. All group critiques (including 3 graded Art Thesis check-in dates) are mandatory and cannot be excused. Critiques are not situations where passive reception of information is called for, rather they are opportunities to actively probe, evaluate, and expand your formal and conceptual understanding of the work you have produced and the work of your peers. Therefore, your verbal participation during these critiques is required and will be counted as part of your final participation grade. If you miss any of the 3 graded check-ins for the Art Thesis Project you will receive a zero for that portion of your grade.

3. Students are required to maintain an organized Process Journal where they will respond to prompts on a series of five D2L Quizzes related to their studio art project, research and reading assignments, and reflection on their academic and artistic trajectory (as related the Learning Outcome which is to examine how their previous coursework, including Liberal Studies courses, has contributed to their intellectual development and/or their post-graduation plans. It is further suggested that students create an analog process journal to record research and feedback in the form of notes, sketches, collected materials, etc. In this journal, students can record their research and progress towards the completion of their thesis project, as well as other activities related to the course. In this journal students can summarize in writing every aspect of their individual research as well as the feedback received during individual and group critiques; thus emphasizing the writing-across the curriculum goals of the Liberal Arts Program.

4. Students will be provided with a dedicated studio working space (RM 329 1150 Fullerton) which they are allowed access to during non-class hours. Students are required to be always in class during scheduled in-class meeting time. Students are expected to spend five hours or more per week in the studio outside of class hours. It is required that students create a consistent schedule for working in and outside of class time and follow their Work Time Table as closely as possible. Because this is an advanced senior course, students are expected to be self-directed, maintain a high level of commitment to their work and produce strong quality work. Students with incomplete or insufficient work will not be included in the final Thesis Exhibition.

 

SEMINAR WORK

Students are required to complete a number of readings from sources listed in the Course Schedule included in this syllabus. Readings are available through the course’s D2L site or hyperlinked in the syllabus document. Is important that you do the assigned readings for the due date and come prepared to discuss it in the seminar section of the course. Additionally, written responses to reading and research will be part of some of the Process Journal entries.

 

RESEARCH PAPERS

Students are required to complete five writing assignments including the Project Proposal, Exhibition Documents, Final Exam Reflection Paper, and Individual Critique Summaries. *Students will be asked to submit drafts of each writing assignment and will be expected to work through multiple iterations and incorporate feedback from the professor in the final writing.

 

CAPSTONE STUDIO PROTOCOL

As mentioned above, room 329 has been reserved for the use of our class section only unless another space is designated.

This means that the students enrolled have access to the room anytime during building hours, which are Monday-Thursday 8:00am-10:00pm; Friday-Saturday 8:00am-6:00pm; and Sunday 12:00-6:00pm. Access to the building and to The Art School floors after office hours is by card reader, so make sure to have your DePaul ID in hand. Please be advised that anyone other than DePaul students and faculty are not allowed in any of the classrooms.

If you have a problem entering the building or the classroom, call Protection Services at (773) 325-7777 or from campus at x57777, and ask to have an officer come open for you. You are on an access list and with your ID in-hand there should be no problems.

The following basic rules should be observed while working in the capstone studio:

• NEVER prop the room door. Use the entrance code at all times to avoid damage and theft.

• NO friends or family are allowed in the room.

• Select and mark a space with your name where you will store your supplies or other necessary work.

• Respect the materials and work of others and never borrow anything without asking.

• Be mindful of the size of the room and do not leave work or supplies in places where it will be in the way of others.

• Be careful not to step on, cut, or in any way handle the work of your classmates. Bumping into someone’s piece in progress would be disastrous for that student (or for you if it is your work.). If you need to move something, ask first!

• Handle materials safely. When it doubt about this, please ask your professor or Ellie Wallace, our Studio Manager.

• If you make a mess, please clean the room before leaving.

• Always leave a note with your name over your work in progress before you exit the room.

• Students must maintain a high degree of civility, that is, being courteous and considerate toward each other.

 

 

 

Post-Pandemic Information:

 

DePaul COVID-19 Requirements: All members of the DePaul community (Students, Faculty, Staff, etc.) are expected to follow DePaul safety requirements at all times, including but not limited to mask-wearing in public buildings as directed. The requirements and recommendations may change as local, state, and federal guidelines evolve. Students who have a medical reason for not complying should register with DePaul’s Center for Student with Disabilities (CSD).

SEE: go.depaul.edu/covid for COVID-19 updates and guidance.

 

Changes to the Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus and schedule. If there are any changes to the syllabus, students will be notified via university email and/or D2L.

 

Reporting COVID
If you test positive for COVID, please inform DePaul of your positive test result by clicking the link and following the steps here: go.depaul.edu/reportcovid.

 

University Information and Resources:

·      Visit go.depaul.edu/covid for COVID-19 updates and guidance and policies.

·      Visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/covid-19/home/covid-dashboard.html for official city of Chicago covid-19 statistics.

·      Visit DePaul/DHUB DEN (Digital Engagement Network) for activities and events.

·      SEE: DePaul Students with Disability Services

·      SEE: DePaul Support Services and Mental Health Services

·      If you are in critical need of financial assistance for technology purchases, please contact Financial Aid at dpcl@depaul.edu or 312-362-8610.​

·      SEE: Dean of Students Office for help navigating the college experience, particularly during difficult situations such as personal, financial, medical, and/or family crises.

 

Technology for Class:
D2L (Desire2Learn) DePaul’s learning management system
Check the “Required: Course Schedule” link and “Required: Course Content” folder in D2L CONTENT regularly and submit items to appropriate DISCUSSIONS and SUBMISSIONS as outlined in class.
Visit: https://d2l.depaul.edu

ZOOM video conferencing
Visit: https://zoom.us for more information
NOTE: The software will download automatically when you click the link if it is not on your computer or mobile device already.
NOTE: If there is abuse of course links by members or non-members I will close them and set up something more restrictive (ex: zoom-bombing).
NOTE: Zoom links for the course and for virtual office hours are listed at the beginning of the syllabus. The course and office hours are different links because the office hours have a waiting room to ensure privacy.


DePaul Help Desk / Tech Support
Information Services Portal: https://depaul.service-now.com
HELPDESK:
(312) 362-8765 or (773) 325-HELP / (773) 325-4357
helpdesk@depaul.edu
or click “Get Help” on the information services website above

 

 

Important Info for You:

 

Be active in your learning! This is your education; let me know what you need! If, during the course of the quarter, you feel that you need some extra help, advice, or feedback, let me know and we can schedule a time to meet remotely. If you have questions during class, ask me. Your active involvement and your communication with me help to ensure that you get what you need from this course.

 

Please provide me with the name you prefer to use: I would like to use your personal pronouns and preferred name or nickname. My roster provides limited information so please let me know if you suspect I do not have the information on my roster that you want me to use. I typically use she/her/hers pronouns but am also comfortable with they/them and I typically go by either Jessica or Prof. Larva.

 

Art School at DePaul Safety Statement:
Safety comes first! DePaul University is a learning community that fosters the pursuit of knowledge, transmission of ideas and development of skills in an environment that emphasizes accepting responsibility for oneself, for others and for society at large.

As a member of the DePaul community, you are expected to adhere to all University policies, including but not limited to the policies in the Code of Student Responsibility and the Academic Integrity Policy, and policies and procedures set forth by specific departments.

Specifically, by enrolling in a DePaul Art School (ART) art/studio course you agree to adhere to the ART Safe Use of Art Materials and Student Responsibilities requirements of the course(s) you are enrolled in for all art and related materials, tools, and equipment as per the specific course instruction. Failure to abide by and adhere to any of these responsibilities, procedures, policies, or requirements may result in an adverse impact on your grade in accordance with the syllabus, or in other sanctions through the Student Conduct Process or other university procedures.

Please see additional safety information related to COVID-19 under the heading: Post-Pandemic Information.

Course Safety Statement: This capstone course requires independent studio work. We must use the spaces responsibly for a safe and communal working environment. This includes following university conduct policies (see the DePaul Student Handbook https://catalog.depaul.edu/student-handbooks/ and the policies linked in the safety statement above), and being careful to use materials safely and appropriately. Depending on your materials, you will need to adhere to the ART Safe Use of Art Materials and Student Responsibilities for that process. Take care to use oil paints, solvents, and other supplies as directed in prior studio courses and keep them in proper spaces with proper ventilation. Aerosols may only be used inside the spray booth on the 3rd floor (Room 333a). Use of resins or toxins are prohibited everywhere in the 1150 Fullerton Building. If you are not sure about the safety and use of a material, please consult with your instructor before using it in the space.
This is a shared space - be mindful of others artwork, personal possessions, and work areas – do not disturb, move, use, or handle other people’s things. Please use headphones when listening to audio when others are present and keep conversations to a low level or kindly move to another place, if asked.

 

DePaul Students with Disability Services & Student Accommodations:
Students seeking disability-related accommodations are required to register with DePaul's Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) enabling you to access accommodations and support services to assist your success. There are two office locations
Loop Campus - Lewis Center #1420 - (312) 362-8002
Lincoln Park Campus - Student Center #370 - (773) 325-1677
CSD email - csd@depaul.edu
CSD Virtual Office - www.tinyurl.com/CSDVirtualOffices
Reach out to CSD’s PLUS Program for LD, AD / HD.

Please also contact me privately to discuss how I can assist in facilitating accommodations or simply so we are on the same page. It is best to speak with me early in the term, ideally in the first week, and all our conversations will remain confidential to the extent possible. This class focuses on creative solutions of every kind, and I assure you that we will be able to find an appropriate solution for any circumstance.

 

DePaul Support Services and Mental Health Services:
 
University Counseling and Psychological Services (UCAPS)
UCAPS offers a full range of confidential clinical mental health services at no cost to DePaul students.
Access the website at go.depaul.edu/ucaps
Email the office at DePaulUCAPS@depaul.edu with questions or to learn more
Call 773-325-CARE (2273)
* To speak directly to a therapist 24/7 call 773-325-CARE (2273) and Press "1" when prompted.

The Dean of Students Office (DOS), also has a network of support services which helps students navigate the college experience, particularly during difficulty situations such as personal, financial, medical, and/or family crises. For a list of support services and advocacy information, please visit DOS at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos.

SEE: additional Mental Health resources here. ***

 

Land use statement: The campuses of DePaul University are located on the traditional homelands of the Three Fires Confederacy: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, as well as a traditional place for trade, gathering, and healing for more than a dozen Native tribes.

 

Expectations for Academic Integrity: All work done for this course must adhere to the University Academic Integrity Policy, which you are required to read in the Student Handbook or online at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu. Academic integrity violations warrant repercussions including failure of the course or possible civil or criminal prosecution.

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement as outlined by Academic Affairs, August 2023:
Policies: In this context, AI can be considered analogous to a person, and our relevant policies apply. DePaul’s Academic Integrity Policy defines “Plagiarism” as “Any use of words, ideas, or other work products attributed to an identifiable source, without attributing the work to the source from which it was obtained, in a situation where there is a legitimate expectation of original authorship.” In this way, content generated by AI is a “source” and should be cited appropriately; the policy is in the process of being updated to include AI as an example of a type of source that must be cited and cannot stand in for the student’s own work. Similarly, the Research Misconduct policy defines “Plagiarism” as “the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit,” and it is reasonable to consider AI as analogous to “another person” in this context.

Use of AI in classes: Faculty have the discretion to allow or encourage students to use AI in class activities and/or assignments. Course syllabi should make clear how students may or may not use AI in class-related work. In the absence of a course–specific AI policy, the general Academic Integrity and Research Misconduct policies apply.

Citations: When in doubt, cite the AI source like any other. As Artificial Intelligence becomes more widespread, conventions for its proper use will likely evolve over time.

 

392 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Course-Specific Policy:
There are many ethical and functional concerns related to AI, and this course will address some of them in class. For the purpose of this section of this course, AI may be used in the following capacities: 1) AI may be used to enhance written components for assignments. (Please note that AI may NOT be used for written critique or other unspecified writing.) If using AI, take care to ensure that your writing accurately addresses your ideas, that original ideas are unaltered, and that the AI tendency towards circular, non-specific, sometimes inaccurate writing does not negatively impact your writing and therefore your grade. 2) Adobe Generative AI may be used in course assignments as long as non-flattened, original working files are submitted on D2L for each section of each artwork (for example a layered .TIFF for Photoshop; a layered .PDF for Illustrator). Failure to disclose AI use via original working files will be considered academic misconduct. Additionally, use caution to ensure that your use of AI does not mask your personal skill/technique development or ability to meet grading criteria for conceptual and creative rigor, etc. Other forms of AI imaging are not permitted for this section of this course unless approved by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

 

E-mail Policy: I may use e-mail as a way to communicate with you regarding absence/tardy information, concerns for classwork or behavior, your project grades, or other class information. In this case you may not receive in-class follow-up or paper copies of this information. I will use the email account that you have on file with DePaul.

 

Access and Resources / Technology Access

NOTE: availability of physical operations are subject to change.

Richardson Library: Mac and PC, Adobe, other technologies.
List of general DePaul computer labs: organized by available software (here); some of the labs post open hours.

NOTES: If you use multiple versions of Adobe software, then you may choose to save in a legacy format that can be opened in prior versions (one example).
If you use fonts that may not be on other computers, save/export/package the font files (.OTF .TTF .FNT) as well as the Adobe file so you can load the fonts onto another computer or save your Adobe file in a format that flattens or outlines the fonts (this is not appropriate for editing).
 


The Art School at DePaul (Art Office)
(773)325-4889 | 3rd floor office suite | ART@depaul.edu
Monday-Thursday 9:30am-4:30pm, unless otherwise posted.
Virtual access Friday 9:30am-4:30pm, unless otherwise posted.

Margie Griggs: Media Art & Communication Coordinator
(773)325-4889 | 3rd floor office suite | mgriggs6@depaul.edu

Ellie Wallace: Studio Manager
(773)325-4619 | 3rd floor office suite | ewallac1@depaul.edu

 

 

 

Schedule and Attendance:

 

Schedule: You must be in attendance to find out specifically that will be covered in class day-to-day. We will discuss detailed schedules and due-dates for individual assignments when they are assigned.
LINK TO: SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS

 

Attendance Policy — Please read in full:
This course is an intensive capstone experience, so attendance particularly is critical and the attendance policy reflects this necessity.

Two absences (excused or unexcused) are permitted for the in-person class sessions, the final averaged grade point out of 100 total points will be lowered for each additional absence as follows: the third absence minus 10 points, the fourth absence-minus 50 points, the fifth absence-minus 100 points, out of 100 points possible (which will equal a 0; failure for this class). A Tardy is arriving late to class or leaving early 2 tardies= 1 absence and are applied to this policy. For additional needs please contact me in advance or contact the Dean of Students, deanofstudents@depaul.edu

Show up for class. Punctuality is expected. Attendance at all critiques is mandatory. It is your responsibility to track your attendance and talk to me if you have any questions or concerns as they arise. There will be no bargaining for a better grade after due dates of projects and no forgiveness of unexcused absences after they are issued.



 

 

Grading:

 

Course Evaluation:

Final grades will be based on the 100-point breakdown below.

*NOTE: Remember absences and tardies will impact your final grade.

Art Thesis Project: 45 (graded week 4, midterm, final, 15pts each)

Artist Presentation: 5

Project Proposal: 10

Exhibition Documents Draft: 5

Exhibition Documents: 10

Process Journal: 10 (5 Entries at 2 points each)

Individual Critique Summary: 5 (2.5 peer, 2.5 professor)

Final Exam Reflection Paper: 5

Participation: 5

SEE: SCHEDULE & ASSIGNMENTS for each assignment description and due date.

 

Grade Scale for this class:          100–96=A     95–91=A-      90–86=B+     85–81=B       80–76=B-      75–71=C+     70–66=C       65–61=C-             60–56=D+     55–51=D       50–0=F

 

*NOTE: For students to pass this course successfully and meet this graduation

requirement, they must obtain a grade of C- or better.

 

Project Evaluation:

This is a highly rigorous course that will require outside work, in-class work,

and verbal critique. Work as hard as you can and to the best of your abilities.

I will evaluate your progress work while you are developing a project, as well

as during all intermediate and final critiques. Please remember that any comments

toward your work from myself or a fellow student should not be taken

personally, but viewed as constructive criticism geared toward making your

work stronger and more refined. Grades will be evaluated on the following

criteria:

• Research & Development - Did you produce extensive research and reference material?

• Sketches & Ideation - Did you produce extensive process work?

• Concept - Does the piece work in a cohesive, well thought out manner?

• Elements of Composition - Is the piece visually unified?

• Exploration - Did you explore techniques to add visual interest to the work?

• Artistic Quality - Does the final piece look good, overall?

• Craft Is the piece neat and well made, including attention to details, cutting, pasting, and drafting?

• Work Ethic - Did you push yourself—and then push yourself further?

• Critique & Professionalism - Did you speak up during critique and remain positive and constructive?

• Deadlines - Is your final work (or any stage of the assignment) late?


 

How to turn in physical & digital work:
All physical and digital work is due in the format requested by the start of class on the given due date unless otherwise noted. Early submissions are typically appropriate as well. Anything turned in over 5 minutes after it is requested is late.


If you will not be in class on a due date, I may accept a digital format as a temporary placeholder for physical work (images/photographs/presentations/papers submitted on D2L); some assignments are not appropriate for digital submission.

 

Late Projects:
You will receive an automatic full letter grade deduction for each class beyond the final due date. Be prepared, turn your work in on time. *Thesis projects cannot be turned in late, if this work is not ready in time you fail the course.

 

 

 

 

 

Reading, Writing, & Citing Sources:

 

Please See Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statement & Policy Above.

Reading: Digital readings may be web links or PDFs. You will be expected to find and obtain your own research readings related to the specifics of your work.
information for the Chicago Public Library: http://www.chipublib.org/
information for the libraries at DePaul: http://library.depaul.edu/
LINK TO: supplies

 

Writing: Written assignments must follow the principles of composition, grammar, and spelling. Pages may be single or double-spaced, 10 to12-point Times-Roman (or similar) font, with standard margins. Please refrain from attaching pages with a dog‑eared corner and instead use a staple, a paperclip, or type your name on every page. Of course the university policy on plagiarism is enforced.

NOTE: DePaul’s Writing Center is a valuable FREE service that can help you plan, revise and edit written assignments, double check citations, and review other aspects of your writing. Booking an appointment online is recommended, but they also take walk-in requests at the Loop and Lincoln Park locations.

SEE ALSO: another great resource for university-level writing: The St Martins Handbook by Andrea Lundsford. (PDF linked here) Of course the university policy on plagiarism is enforced..

 

Citing Sources: You must cite all words or images you use from any outside source. Failure to do so can be seen as academic misconduct. Citation includes everything from Internet sources and images you’ve altered in Photoshop, to a digital snapshot taken by a friend. Often outside sources will not be allowed in visual assignments, but when permitted, sources must be appropriately credited (often in the assignment). Also, I will need a works cited document with the image appropriately cited and a copy of the original image. Sources do not need to be cited in journal entries or sketchbooks.
LINK TO: Academic Integrity

 

Links for citing image sources:

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/09/

This covers everything, MLA style. Image citation information is located half way down the page.
Additional research information here. (including the Chicago Manual of Style)

 

http://guides.libraries.uc.edu/content.php?pid=285456&sid=2367919

MLA style, for citing images.

 

http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/resdoc5e/RES5e_ch04_o.html

Research and Documentation information.

 

 

Information for citing written sources:

Please use MLA standards.

Helpful information for citing sources: http://library.duke.edu/research/citing/
See both “citing sources within your paper” and “assembling a list of works cited.”


Example of using a works cited and citing sources in the body of the paper (multi-page PDF)

Citation Quick Guide:

https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide/citation-guide-1.html


Use Owl at Purdue for additional writing help: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html

 

 

 

Supplies / Resources / Materials:

 

Supplies provided for you: Access to Open Studio Hours in studios appropriate to your working methods, access to the Open Lab Hours in a Mac computer lab with Adobe Creative Suite Software (Creative Cloud), multiple flat bed scanners, and multiple high-end large-format printers; access to borrow selected items from the Art School audio/visual checkout; ability to work with the instructor to schedule time in documentation spaces, etc.

Adobe Creative Cloud
DePaul and the Art School have arranged FREE at-home access to Adobe Creative Cloud on a temporary basis for some classes (including ours). Follow these instructions to register.
** information should have been emailed to you through the university as well.

 

Required Resources:
Please let me know if you do not have the ability to access some of these items. I am committed to working with you to figure something out.

 

Required Supplies & Materials:

 

1)    Criticizing Art by Terry Barrett (excerpt on d2l as PDF)

2)    Various articles listed and linked in the course schedule

 

Optional Supplies:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a great resource and is HIGHLY recommended.

 

NOTE: DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU GRADUATE to purchase your own hardware and software because you will miss out on student deals and you will pay significantly more for everything. You don’t need it for this class, but begin thinking about it and planning for it.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL RESOURCES:

 

PROFESSIONAL ART AND DESIGN RESOURCES

Organizational Sites

Chicago Artists Resource (Exhibition open calls, residencies etc.)
http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/

Chicago Gallery News
https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/

Exhibition call for entry site, café
https://www.callforentry.org/

Exhibition call for entry site, Art Deadlines List
http://artdeadlineslist.com/

College Art Association, CAA (see “opportunities”)
http://collegeart.org/jobs-and-opportunities/opportunities

Illinois Arts Council Grants for Artists
https://arts.illinois.gov/sites/default/files/content/program-forms/FY21_IAS-AP.pdf

Professional association for design, AIGA (see “resources”)
https://www.aiga.org/

Society of Typographic Arts Chicago
https://www.sta-chicago.org/

 

Salary Transparency: Open Source spreadsheet

Graphic Design Job Salary Transparency Informal Poll:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aFoSJr1qWBH3nWMeoEdFP4her8NvI7RZf6skyQmOAsU/edit?usp=sharing

Media Job Salary Transparency Informal Poll::
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1SP3Sqqdv6R8chFamjtgdNlOrUar-hJXvkMSeha2mHQ8/edit?usp=sharing

Design Census
https://designcensus.org/

Art world Salary Transparency Informal Poll:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14_cn3afoas7NhKvHWaFKqQGkaZS5rvL6DFxzGqXQa6o/edit?usp=sharing

 

Chicago Exhibition and Event Listings

The Visualist
http://www.thevisualist.org

Chicago Reader
https://chicagoreader.com/

Event Seeker
https://eventseeker.com/chicago/arts-museums

Chicago Gallery News
https://www.chicagogallerynews.com/

Art Design Chicago
https://www.artdesignchicago.org/home

Bad At Sports (podcast and blog)
http://badatsports.com/

 

The Art School & DePaul Connections

DePaul Artists Collective, DAC
(@depaulartistscollective)

DePaul Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
https://business.depaul.edu/about/centers-institutes/coleman-entrepreneurshipcenter/Pages/default.aspx

Women in Entrepreneurship Institute
https://business.depaul.edu/about/centers-institutes/coleman-entrepreneurshipcenter/women-in-entrepreneurship/Pages/default.aspx

DePaul Financial Fitness Counseling & Services

2112 (Creative and Entrepreneurship Incubator FREE to DePaul Students)
https://2112inc.com/

DePaul Art Museum (DPAM), see calendar for exhibitions, events, lectures

 

Technology Guides

(PDF guides are available on D2L under “content” and often linked to the course schedule) EXAMPLES:

Guide to camera and light setup for documenting work

Guide to scanning on a variety of scanners

Official scanner guide for Silverfast (200MB PDF)

AMD guide to classroom print settings - for Photoshop

AMD guide to classroom print settings - for Illustrator

DePaul’s Academic Software Center (hub)

https://depaul.onthehub.com/WebStore/Welcome.aspx

 

 

ADDITIONAL ARTIST GUIDES, READINGS AND VIDEOS


1) Exhibition and Gallery focused practice (traditional and alternative)

-       How To Sell Your Own Artwork
https://thecreativeindependent.com/guides/how-to-sell-your-own-artwork/

-       How To Apply For Grants
https://thecreativeindependent.com/guides/how-to-apply-for-grants/

-       DIY 3 Hole Pamphlet (Binding type for Portfolio and Promotion Materials) https://youtu.be/n_4NVW0OTfk

-       Studio Visits (Virtual Examples)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjeNjJjJ6og3Y-tTZkyzK0C0EWES7lPiz

-       Art Critique Is Broken, Fix It!
https://youtu.be/ABLp9jAn5Gc

 

2) Commercial, client, entrepreneurial, freelance focused practice

-       What's the Best Way To Reach Out To People You Admire?
https://thecreativeindependent.com/approaches/ask-tci-whats-the-best-way-to-reach-out-to-people-you-admire/

-       Artist’s Guide To Financial Planning
https://thecreativeindependent.com/guides/an-artists-guide-to-financial-planning/

-       How To Get Paid In Art & Design
https://youtu.be/C0fyhfmL_Ts

 

3) Work/Life focused, beyond graduation, building and serving the community, developing process and habits, cultivating interests and research practices

-       Reframing Productivity by artist Hiba Ali https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/artist-and-educator-hiba-ali-on-reframing-productivity/

-       Finding Inspiration in Illness
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/author-caren-beilin-on-finding-inspiration-in-your-pain-and-illness/

-       Learning From Your Mistakes, and The Tension Between Artist and Brand
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/wax-sculptor-janie-korn-on-learning-from-your-mistakes/

-       Value of Process and What Success Actually Means by Chita Ganesh
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/artist-chitra-ganesh-on-the-value-of-process-and-what-success-actually-means/

-       Fresh Grad Interview Tips
https://youtu.be/mcl1Zck3iK4

-       Vernon Chatman (Adult Swim) On Staying True To Your Stupid Ideas
https://thecreativeindependent.com/people/vernon-chatman-on-staying-true-to-your-stupid-ideas/

-       Insider Secrets For A Killer MFA Application
https://youtu.be/reFXqepVme4

-       6 Point Plan for Self-Directed Study in Art & Design
https://youtu.be/l9oG4jcUdY

 

 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

 

ART

Seeing is forgetting the name of the thing one sees / L. Weschler

Art / Work (Excerpt) / Heather Darcy Bhandari, Jonathan Melber

Making Your Life as an Artist / Andrew Simonet

The Creative Independent Articles (website plus see specific links at end of syllabus)

Making Art: Form and Meaning / Barrett / 702.8 B2748M2011

The Act of Creation / Koestler / 155.3 K78

The Art Life: On Creativity and Career / Hordodner / 701 A7846h2012

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones / James Clear
(A great book to help you begin to notice your work and life habits and cultivate better practices)

The Artist’s Guide: How To Make A Living Doing What You Love / Jackie Battenfield
(A resource discussing the many different ways a creative can make a living, balance work and life and find alternative audiences and outlets)

Art & Fear/ David Bayles and Ted Orland
(A classic text focused on the emotional struggles and development of an artist)

Critique Handbook / Kendall Buster

Art World Prestige: Arguing Cultura Value
(An analysis of how works of art create cultural significance and also  interface with the art market)

How To Be An Artist / Jerry Saltz
(Pop art critic gives advice for artists )

Seven Days in The Art World / Sarah Thorton
(Pop sociology looking at the contemporary art market.)

Dark Matter / Greg Shollete
(Critical text that argues that the formal economy of contemporary art is dependent upon a previously suppressed sphere of informal, non-market, social production.)

Delirium and Resistance : Activist Art and the Crisis of Captalism / Greg Shollete
(Critical dialogue with artists’ collectives, counter-institutions, and activist groups to offer an insightful, firsthand account of the relationship between politics and art in neoliberal society.)

Culture as a Weapon / Nato Thompson
(Critical text that explores the ways in which the tools of visual culture are deployed to do everything from sell iPhones to wage war.)

 

THE BUSINESS

The Profitable Artist / NYFA, Peter Cobb, Felicity Hogan, Michael Royce
(Focus on logistics, finance, funding, planning, and legal issues)

The Business of Creativity and The Business of Design/ Keith Granet
(Focus on commercial arts and design covering all aspects of planning, establishing, and running a creative business)

Graphic Artist’s Guild Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines

AIGA Professional Practices in Graphic Design / Tad Crawford

The Artist’s Guide: How to Make a Living Doing What You Love /Battenfield

The Artist’s Guide to Grant Writing / Gigi Rosenberg

 

SEMIOTICS / THEORY

Art Worlds / Howard Becker
(Classic sociological examination of art as collective action explores the cooperative network of suppliers, performers, dealers, critics, and consumers who―along with the artist―"produce" a work of art.)

Graphic Design Theory: Readings from the Field / Helen Armstrong

This Means This, This Means That: A User’s Guide to Semiotics / Hall

Conceptual Blockbusting : a guide to better ideas / James L. Adams. 153.43 A214c2001

Criticizing Art : understanding the contemporary / Terry Barrett. 701.18 B274c1999

 



 

 

Syllabus Contract Form on the last page of this syllabus (below)

 

Back to TOP

 

 

 

 

Jessica Larva, Associate Professor, The Art School

Art 392 Senior Studio Seminar Capstone

Spring 2025
Syllabus Contract

 

After agreeing to this contract, sign it, photograph it, and load the image on D2L under Submissions > Syllabus Contract.

 

 

 

 

Student Name (PRINT): ______________________________________________

1) I have carefully read the entire course syllabus and the course schedule and have understood the course description, objectives, project requirements, grade policy, attendance policy, due dates and expectations.

 

2) I will honor the capstone studio protocol included and will fulfill the course requirements.

I understand that to meet the capstone graduation requirement, I must earn a C- or better in this course.

 

3) I understand that my final thesis artwork must be complete, professionally presented and exhibition-ready in order to be included in the exhibition. I understand that attendance in the midterm and project check-in dates are mandatory and I have saved the dates.

 

4) I understand that my artwork must be dropped off for installation and picked up after the exhibition at dates and times listed in the syllabus.

 

5) I understand that failure to fulfill any of the above requirements or expectations listed in the syllabus can result in failure of the course and my work being excluded from the exhibition.

 

 

_________________________________         _____________________

(SIGNATURE)                                                  (DATE)

 

 

* NOTE: The final thesis artwork is an opportunity to use the medias and processes you’ve honed to make a meaningful work. It is not a time to learn an entirely new media, but to use known medias to focus on your voice as an artist. You should check your course history (check your DePaul progress report for completed courses) to be able to provide course numbers related to the medias you plan to use.