Southern Utah University

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Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Materials and Techniques (Face-to-Face)

ART 3540-01

Course: ART 3540-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 33230

Course Description

An exploration of a variety of art tools, materials, and techniques to help students expand their media skillset and develop their personal style. Media include aqueous paint, paper sculpture, pen & ink, and other mixed-media combinations. Projects will target specific markets in the art licensing industry such as greeting cards, gift products, home decor, wall art, and apparel.

Required Texts

No Required Textbooks.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will develop creative capacities in visual art.
• Effectively design, draw, and render aesthetically pleasing compositions

2. Students will develop skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professional artists.
• Effectively replicate the media rendering techniques demonstrated
• Present final art cleanly and professionally in a variety of forms

3. Students will learn to apply course material to improve thinking and problem solving.
• Identify and select appropriate tools and materials for desired rendering processes
• Identify and select appropriate rendering techniques for desired visual effects

4. Students will gain a broader understanding and appreciation of art styles and methods

5. Students will critically evaluate their own work according to professional examples. 
• Give appropriate constructive criticism to their classmates and
   openly receive appropriate constructive criticism of their own work.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Is Not Allowed
Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly, are not allowed to be used in this class. Although the use of these types of tools may be allowed in other classes and are used professionally, this class will focus on strengthening your artistic skills and creativity without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.

Course Requirements

A. Attendance, participation and effective use of class time have a direct impact on your artistic skill-building and final grade. As a general rule, I do not post my presentations on canvas. Please come to class.

B. Timely completion of all assignments is mandatory.

Projects & Grade Weight
30%   Media Skill-Building Exercises
70%   Media Sampler: 6 works of art with a cohesive theme
*I reserve the right to modify or reduce the number or scope of assignments. In such cases, I will discuss my reasons with you well before the start of any assignment. In the event that a modification results in more work, the entire class in attendance will need to unanimously approve.          

Grading Criteria for Media Sampler 
20% Draftsmanship       Quality and accuracy of the foundational drawing
20% Craftsmanship       Proficient use of media and clean presentation
20% Composition          Visually effective arrangement of space
20% Communication     Clarity of concept or story
20% Creativity               Originality and unique artistic voice
*Generally, each criterion will be weighted equally in the grading process. Occasionally however, criterion weight may change to suit the learning goals of a specific project. Any changes will be noted in the assignment instructions.

Grading Criteria for Media Exercises
A (90 -100) = Extra Effort; Meets and Exceeds the requirements. Thorough and thoughtful exploration evident.
B (80 - 89) = Satisfactory Effort; Meets but does not exceed requirements; Basic exploration evident.
C (70 - 79) = Some effort: Some, but not all requirements met. Exploration appears shallow.
D (60 - 69) = Minimal effort; Majority of the project requirements not me. Minimal exploration.

I will strive to have all assignments  graded within 3 weeks of their turn-in date, unless I notify you otherwise. Projects/Assignments turned in late will be graded at my own convenience—time wise

Grading System
This course will use the +/- grading system.
                             A  100 – 94       A– < 94 – 90 
B+ < 90 – 87        B < 87 – 84       B– < 84 – 80 
C+ < 80 – 77        C < 77 – 74       C– < 74 – 70 
D+ < 70 – 67        D < 67 – 64       D– < 64 – 61
                             F < 61

Course Outline

Specific materials and techniques will be introduced, demonstrated, and applied weekly:
1. Paper Sculpture
2. Small Format Charcoal
3. Pen & Ink
4. Transparent Acrylic
5. Gelli Plate Printing
6. Opaque Acrylic
7. Stamp Cutting
8. Fabric/Textiles
9. Mixed 3-D & 2-D
10. Mixed Media

*One of the weeks will be a workshop with a guest artist.
**Some methods and processes will require 2 weeks.

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

All assignments must be turned in *ON TIME. Assignments turned in on time can be reworked and resubmitted to try to improve the grade. Assignments turned in after the scheduled deadline will be considered late and will receive one grade reduction per day late. Example, an assignment turned in 1 day late can only earn up to a B, 2 days late a C and so forth. All days, including weekends, count toward late deductions

*ON TIME means that assignments must be turned in by the specific time they are due 1:00 PM. Work brought into class at 1:05 PM will be considered a day late. 

Attendance Policy

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Roll will be recorded on Canvas each class period, but will not automatically figure into your Canvas grade.
At the end of the semester, the Canvas roll record will be used to calculate deductions, if any, to your final grade.
Check your attendance in Canvas often to keep track of how you are doing!

    • Up to 3 absences and be excused with appropriate documentation and/or honest appeal.
    • Each unexcused absence will reduce your final course grade by 5%.
    • Tardiness and leaving early will effect your grade—Canvas calculates it as “80% PRESENT.”
    • Students that come over 30 minutes late or leave class over 30 min early, will be marked “ABSENT”
    • Students who miss 25% of class time, equivalent to 6.5 class periods or 18 hours of class, will fail the course.
    • Scheduled “Work Days” reported and used effectively “PRESENT”
    • Cancelled classes due to instructor illness or extenuating circumstances will be marked as “PRESENT”

Statement from FAD Department Chairman: Studio courses are experiential in nature and rely heavily on in-class
instruction, collaboration, and critique. As such, attendance is mandatory. A student who misses more than 25% of scheduled class time (including unexcused absences and tardiness) will receive a final grade no higher than a “C–”, and may fail the course, regardless of performance on assignments. Excused absences—such as those due to documented illness, university-sponsored activities, or other legitimate circumstances—may be made up with appropriate documentation (e.g., a doctor's note or official university communication). It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor before the absence when possible and to make arrangements to complete missed work promptly. Consistent attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this course and in your development as an artist/designer. The Department Attendance Policy for studio classes can be found here: https://catalog.suu.edu/preview_entity.php?catoid=26&ent_oid=1489&returnto=

Course Fees

Studio courses require $19.00 per credit hour.

Methods of Instruction

Presentations, demonstrations, group activities, critiques, instructor-guided work time, and individual consultations.

Classroom Management & Maintenance
  • Clean up after yourself at the end of each class.
  • Keep phones on silent mode. Please take calls and texts outside of the classroom.
  • Off-topic movies and shows may not be watched during class.
  • Headphones may be used during work-in-class time, as long as you use only one ear-bud and/or low volume.

Academic Integrity
What is dishonest activity in an art class?
• Turning in artwork created for other classes.
• Using generative AI, Artificial Intelligence, as part of your art process - ideation, sketching, rendering, etc.
• Copying another artist’s art (painting, drawing, photo, etc.) and passing it off as your own—Plagiarism.
• Unauthorized use of copyrighted material such as images from magazines, books, or the internet. Ask your instructor how to use copyrighted images appropriately.

Art Class Content Disclaimer
In the study of art, students can expect to encounter and critically appraise materials that may differ from and perhaps challenge familiar understandings, ideas, and beliefs. Art classes frequently include physical nudity, content, and imagery that may be considered controversial, offensive, or in conflict with some ethical or religious beliefs. Diverse ideas will be discussed with civility and cooperation. Students are encouraged to meet with a faculty member to express specific concerns. When not in conflict with the academic goals of the course, the faculty member will attempt to address these concerns and the applicable course requirements.

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.