ART311 Junior Seminar on Contemporary Art & Theory

Tuesday 5-8pm
Miller 102 & Fields 207
Spring 2015
Professor Garrick Imatani
Email: garrick@lclark.edu
Office: Fields Center 205.B
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 1-2pm or by appointment
Course Description
Issues in contemporary art critical for developing artists. Practical and theoretical questions artists face today: how art is
defined and understood (or misunderstood) in our culture, varieties of theoretical practices, and the artist's relation to
the institutions of art.
Course Rationale
The proliferation of knowledge and theories on visuality has led to an extreme challenge for young artists working today.
How does one make sense of the contemporary art landscape when so many possibilities for making, distributing,
viewing, and explaining art seem like viable options? And, more importantly, how did we get here?
This class will tackle some of the thorny questions, concepts, and challenges facing contemporary visual artists. We will
start by asking: what is visual culture or visual culture studies? This will serve as a springboard into current and pressing
topics within the field of art theory and criticism from both a local and international perspective. Some key topics
include:
the distribution of art and role of production
theories of visuality that account for biological, social, and technological forces
subjectivities of viewer and maker
ethics and politics of art
bodily perception
representation of artists
expanded definitions of media and authorship
The bulk of course content comes from readings, lectures, field trips, and group discussion. Guest lectures serve as an
integral component of the course by providing exposure to and interaction with professional artists, critics, and curators,
who also grapple with their own set of challenges in research and work. Most guest lecturers will provide readings in
conjunction with their visit. Through group discussion, we will attempt to better understand the complex concepts
presented by visual culture studies. By sharing our insights, individual research, applied projects, and personal
experiences as artists and thinkers, our goal will be to increase our understanding of contemporary art and theory as it is
currently discussed and negotiated by artists working today.
Course Structure
This course meets once a week for three hours with a short break in the middle. Prepare to spend select meetings outside
of class for special events such as exhibitions and field trips. Many weeks we will host visiting lecturers who will discuss their
work during class contact hours. On these days, we will continue to meet as a class beforehand for lectures and
discussion. You will be expected to keep a notebook and take notes at all lectures, including guest lecturers and offcampus events, as many written assignments will incorporate the content of lectures and/or readings suggested by
guests.
Lectures often immediately follow the break. Bear in mind that you will be responsible for any missed announcements or
instructions due to tardiness or absence (at the start, middle or end of class), therefore, make sure you have the contact
info of at least one other student you can call and/or email.
Attendance is imperative along with staying engaged for the duration of class. Assignments are paced with the
expectation that you will show up on time with any assigned work complete.
Readings will be discussed the following class from when they are assigned unless otherwise noted. Discussions will focus
on comprehension of main themes and arguments of the authors, followed by its relevance to contemporary art
practice and historical context.

Typed, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, written responses between 1-2 pages are typically required with all readings and
select lectures. Specific questions to aid your written responses will frequently be provided, which may draw upon
related course content such as exhibits or visiting lecturers. In other instances, you may be required to draw parallels
between the assigned reading and the state of contemporary art & culture. A primary goal in reading and discussing
these texts is to foster critical thinking so that you can locate and describe your own art practice within a larger social
and art historical context as you move toward your senior year.
You will be required to apply thinking through both written and studio-based assignments, make individual presentations,
and write a final research-based paper. In preparation for your final research paper, you will be expected to create an
annotated bibliography, and a list of ongoing research topics and questions that relate to both class readings and your own
outside research. We will meet at least twice formally during the semester to review your progress; however, you are
encouraged to meet with me as often as you feel necessary if you have questions or concerns. Plan on budgeting at least
6-8 hours outside of class each week to complete the workload.
Students will have select projects formally reviewed and discussed by the entire class. Assignments are due on the listed
day and late submissions for written assignments will receive a full grade drop for each day late. Late studio-based
projects are not accepted. Attendance for the full duration of class is critical to your success in the class.
Please be vocal if you do not have a clear understanding of what is expected by the following class. Youre
encouraged to visit me during office hours if you have questions. Youre also welcome to email me.
No Cell Phones or Texting. No Instant Messaging. No Social Networking.
No Laptops (unless class related). No exceptions!
Assessment
In order to succeed in this class, you must attend, be prepared, participate in discussion, challenge yourself, and
complete all the projects. You must do all of these things to pass the course. In order to get an A for the course, you
must demonstrate excellence in all of these categories throughout the entire semester.
The following requirements must be met to successfully complete this course:
Participation
We will have many discussions over a wide range of readings and topics in this course. It is your responsibility as a student
to have read the texts and be prepared to actively engage and participate in class discussion. You are expected to
participate in assigned activities beyond the classroom.
Completion of All Assignments
In addition to applied projects, there will be several short written assignments to the reading and to many of the guest
lectures in this course as a means to facilitate discussion. Written assignments are due on their due dates. Papers that
demonstrate effort can be re-written with instructor approval. Clarity, grasp of course material, depth, and organization
will be primary criteria for evaluation in papers and applied projects.
Assignments must be adequately completed and submitted in order to receive a passing grade.
Grading Rubric
Example of an A student:
Attends each class on time and ready with any assigned work, writing, or research in hand and completed to an
excellent degree.
Actively participates in class, asks considered questions, and provides thoughtful comments relevant to course material
to an excellent degree.
Pushes him/herself to fully understand the course content, develop individual research, and engage in dialog.
Respects peers by being thoughtful in dialog, actively participates in engaged review of others work, and promotes a
positive attitude.
Shows exceptional effort in assignments and projects by the amount of time and energy evidenced by clarity, grasp of
course material, depth, and organization in written assignments and papers, visual presentations, and applied studiobased projects.
B: Strong attendance and preparedness, all projects and assignments completed with solid effort, solid and consistent
prep work and research evident, good participation in discussion, above average ambition. This student is an overall
solid performer, but does not demonstrate excellent commitment or shows flashes of excellence and average
performance in equal measures.
C: Solid attendance, all projects and assignments completed but with inconsistency, participation and coursework via
written assignments, discussion, and individual discussion demonstrate a lack of serious commitment. This student may

demonstrate solid performance but is inconsistent, lacks consistent rigor in thinking and effort on written assignments,
may occasionally exhibit below average participation or daily performance.
D: Average attendance, all projects completed but one or more assignments incomplete or missing, inconsistent effort,
below average participation and course engagement as evidenced by written assignments, research, and discussion.
This student is under performing to ability and often hurt by attendance issues and/or lack of interest.
F: Failure to do meet the standards above.
* If you are ever unsure about your course standing or grading criteria, it is your responsibility as a student to meet with
me and discuss the matter outside of class contact hours during office hours or by appointment.
Attendance
Attendance is critical to succeed in this course. Role is taken at the beginning of each class. Coming back late after
break or departing early toward the end of class is applied toward tardiness. Since this is a seminar course, your daily
participation is especially important. I cannot go over missed information due to tardiness or an unexcused absence.
Special events or slide lectures cannot be repeated nor substituted for other events. The campus health center does not
issue medical notes; therefore, you are allowed 1 absence to use at your discretion in the course before your grade is
affected. Use this 1 day wisely. Any illness or situation that results in your absence requires immediate notification to the
instructor. In all cases, you are responsible for catching up with the class you miss. Please exchange contact info with
at least one classmate in order to stay informed.
Attendance directly affects your final grade independent of other course requirements and grading measures. You are
allowed 1 absence before your final grade is affected. 25% of the course missed or 4 absences will result in automatic
failure. Unexcused late arrivals and early departures toward the start, middle, or end of class negatively impact your
grade.
Absence Policy
1 absences = no penalty
2 or more absences = final grade dropped 10% points (e.g., 85% becomes 75% or B to C)
4 or more absences = Failure
2 unexcused late arrivals or early departures = no penalty
3 or more unexcused late arrivals or early departures = absence each time
* Absence from events outside of regularly scheduled class hours will affect class participation grade.
Grading Rubric
Readings, written assignments, discussion questions, assigned research = 25%
Class participation and discussion = 25%
Studio-based assignments = 10%
Visual presentation = 10%
Annotated bibliography = 5%
Final research paper = 25%
Materials
You will be asked to pay for materials related to studio-based assignments, photocopying, and printing.
Course Content
Some of the artwork shown in slide shows may include explicit material and deal with mature subject matter. All works shown
exists in a historical context or deals with contemporary issues and practice, and relates to course objectives. If you would like to
discuss the material before we view the work in class please do not hesitate to email me or come by during office hours.
Statement on Academic Integrity
Plagiarism is the act of presenting another persons ideas, research or writings as your own. The following are some
examples of plagiarism, but by no means is it an exhaustive list:
1. Copying another persons actual words without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their

source.
2. Presenting another persons ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source.
3. Using information that is not common knowledge without acknowledging the source.
4. Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments.
5. Internet plagiarism includes submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying
information from the internet without citing the source, and cutting and pasting from various sources without proper
attribution.

*Some policies or procedures listed on this syllabus directly reference information put forth by the school, Art dept. or
other faculty syllabi.