Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - CA 269 D100

Methods and Concepts: Selected Topics (3)

Performance

Class Number: 8259

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, Wed, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Kathleen Slade
    kslade@sfu.ca
    Office: GCA 3855
    Office Hours: Online by appointment

  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 160. A course materials fee is required.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A studio course introducing topics in art-making practices as they relate to practical, conceptual, aesthetic and historical issues in contemporary art. May repeat for credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Performance and Documentation is a studio course that focuses on performance as a critically engaged visual art medium. The class will move through histories, concepts, and strategies of performance from early Fluxus and Conceptual works to more recent and contemporary projects.  Through the production of a series of artworks, in-class exercises, assigned readings, and research presentations, students will experiment with a wide range of concerns including: the relationship to and role of the audience; the relationship of the ephemeral to documentation; the body as a site of artistic production; and the performativity of language.

Grading

  • Projects (3 artworks presented for critique) 60%
  • Research Presentations 20%
  • Participation (contributions to discussion around assigned readings, in-class assignments, contribution to critiques) 20%

NOTES:

Grading Guidelines:

A+ = exceptional | A A- = excellent | B- B B+ = good | C+ C = satisfactory | C- D = marginal

Grades are determined according to the student’s level of:


  • seriousness of engagement with studio practice and the problems posed during the course;
  • openness and willingness to pursue avenues of investigation relevant to their own progress and needs of their work;

  • openness to and awareness of issues in contemporary art
  • complexity of ideas manifested in projects and how those ideas are transformed into existence ie. understanding of the relationship between methods/materials used and an artwork’s connotation

  • understanding of the chosen process of production
  • attention paid to the “finish” of works: care of fabrication appropriate to works; presentation of works

  • contribution to critiques: level of thoughtful analysis of works

  • ability and willingness to integrate feedback from critiques and from instructor into one’s practice i.e. future work and the thinking about one’s own work and other artist’s work
  • development of work over the semester: degree of advancement attained beyond entering level of achievement

  • ongoing contribution to class group as a whole and the maintaining of good studio practice
Please note the following:

1. Attendance and punctuality are very important. Marks will be deducted due to arriving late, leaving early, or missing class. A doctor’s note is required for absences due to illness. If you do miss a class, please speak to me about your absence. It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed. Students are expected to be in class and working during scheduled class times; material collection, research, etc., is to be done outside of class.

2. Students are expected to spend at least as much time on the course outside of class as in class, i.e. 3 hr class + 3 hr extra.

3. Complete your projects to meet deadlines. This includes preparing work for online critique prior to the beginning of class. Marks will be deducted due to late projects.

4. Keep regular notes and/or sketches. You may be required to hand them in.

REQUIREMENTS:

Technology for online learning

The minimal technology requirements for successfully completing this course are:
  • a stable internet connection;
  • video camera for online meetings;
  • a laptop or desktop computer no older than five years old.
  •  
This course will also require access to the following software:
  • Zoom (Free)
  • This course recommends you access the following software as you may find it useful in some projects.
  • Adobe Suite

Students are encouraged to become familiar with SCA's more technical guidelines and suggestions for required computing resources http://www.sfu.ca/content/sfu/sca/events---news/news/computer-help--sca-online-.html 

If this course is a requirement to your degree and you are unable to meet one or more of the technology or synchronous time frame requirements, please contact the course instructor for possible alternative arrangements.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).