Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Creative Foundations (Face-to-Face)

ART 1090-01

Course: ART 1090-01
Credits: 1
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 30477

Course Description

An introduction to careers in Filmmaking, Art, and Design, including an overview of the programs offered at SUU and their connection to art markets and creative industries. Instruction includes workshops and guest artists. Course will connect early filmmaking, art, and design students with tools for success while still in college. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Filmmaking, Art, and Design majors and minors only

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course you will be able to do or demonstrate the following:

    1. An understanding of each program and what it takes to apply successfully to the program of your choice
    2. Proficiency in tracking creative work using a CV and ePortfolio
    3. An understanding of various career paths and how competitions, exhibitions, and festivals can help establish a creative reputation
    4. An understanding of steps in developing a creative career from the perspective of 
      advanced students and alumni.

Course Requirements


Class Participation (20% of final grade)
It is expected that you attend class and be present for in-class presentations. Interactions with your peers, your instructors, guest speakers, etc. are a crucial part of your learning in this course. You are expected to come to class prepared, having completed any assigned readings or tasks, so that you can contribute meaningfully to discussions. Participation involves asking thoughtful questions, sharing your perspectives, and listening respectfully to the views of others. Your contributions should be consistent and reflective of the effort you put into understanding the subject matter. This will be measured through digital engagement tools such as polleverywhere.com


Engagement Assignments
(30% of final grade)
Engagement Assignments in this course are designed to help you connect more deeply with the realities of art careers by encouraging you to explore different professional pathways and reflect on your own interests. These tasks will require you to research various roles within the art industry, interact with professionals, and apply course concepts. By completing these assignments, you’ll gain valuable insights into the diverse opportunities available in the art world and better understand how to navigate your future career. These assignments will be given in class, completed as homework, and then reviewed in class.
  • A Creative Playlist: Researching Creators that address entering the creative industry
  • How to Track the Work You Make
  • Pricing Artwork
  • Questions for BFA Panelists
  • Questions for Alumni Panelists


Group Discussions
(15% of final grade)
You will engage in both in-class and online group discussions about course topics. It is important for you to voice, and test ideas about art and design careers. Additionally, asking questions of course guests will help you gain valuable insights into art and design careers. This will be measured with digital engagement tools such as poll everywhere.com


ePortfolio & CV Project
(35% of final grade)
For this class you will create an ePortfolio. This is an Educational Portfolio that demonstrates your learning. It should contain projects that you are working on as well as reflections on the learning process demonstrated by what you're making. Creating an ePortfolio that showcases your artwork from all studio classes is an excellent way to document and reflect on your creative growth throughout your university journey. This digital portfolio not only serves as a personal archive of your best work but also as a professional tool that you can share with potential employers, galleries, or graduate programs. Starting a CV is equally important as it allows you to systematically track your academic experiences, exhibitions, internships, and any other relevant accomplishments. Together, these tools will help you build a comprehensive record of your artistic and academic development, making it easier to present your qualifications and achievements as you pursue future opportunities in the art world.
  • ePortfolio Setup
  • Mid-term: Posting Foundation Course Projects
  • Final Art Show Off


Course Outline

Week 1 Introduction to Careers in Filmmaking, Art, & Design. Overview of diverse roles and opportunities in each field. Class discussion: Initial perceptions and aspirations. 
Week 2 Career Exploration/Questionnaires, Administer career alignment questionnaires Group discussions on findings and emerging career paths. 
Week 3 Senior BFA student Panel, Interaction with senior students: Insights, experiences, and tips. Q&A session for clarifications. 
Week 4 ePortfolio & Program Application Preparation, Introduction to the ePortfolio platform 
Guidelines on creating an effective program application
Week 5 ePortfolio: Photographing Work Techniques for capturing creative work in the best light. 
Practical session: Photographing student work.
Week 6 Studio Tours: Part 1. Visits to departmental studios: Experience the various creative 
environments on campus. Interaction with faculty in the department.
Week 7 Alumni or Faculty Guest Speaker. Presentation on personal journeys and industry insights. 
Networking opportunities and Q&A.
Week 8 Studio Tours: Part 2, Visits/Virtual Visits to Local/Regional Design Studios 
Focus on varied specialties in filmmaking, art, and design. 
Week 9 Internships Importance and value of internships. Guidance on finding and applying for internships.
Week 10 CV Set Up, Crafting a compelling CV for the creative industry. Peer review and feedback session.
Week 11 Competitions, Exhibitions, & Film Festivals. The role of these platforms in building a creative reputation. Tips for successful submissions and participation.
Week 12 Film, Art, & Design Markets, Deep dive into market dynamics, trends, and opportunities. 
Group projects: Research and present on a chosen market segment.
Week 13 Week 12 continued
Week 14 Visit the Senior BFA Exhibition. Experience the culmination of senior projects. Reflections essay on the exhibited works.
Week 15 Submit completed ePortfolio
*Some weeks are interchangeable due to availability of BFA and Alumni Panelists

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Late assignments will be accepted with a penalty of 3% deduction per day, up to a maximum of 7 days.
Makeup work will be considered on a case-by-case basis for legitimate and documented reasons.


Attendance Policy

Regular attendance is required at all class meetings. Students are allowed two excused absences, after which each additional absence will result in a 2% reduction of the final course grade. 
Arriving more than 15 minutes late will be considered 
an absence.

Course Fees

Course fees for this course are a $19 per credit Program Fee

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.