Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Senior BFA Studio I: Professional Practices and Portfolio Systems (Face-to-Face)

ART 4790-02

Course: ART 4790-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 31978

Course Description

This course explores business practices for designers and studio artists including freelancing, pricing work, business writing, and applying for employment and graduate school. Students will use studio time for assessing and refining existing artwork and setting up portfolio systems for self-promotion. Students will be introduced to a process for exhibition proposals. (Fall)

Registration Restriction(s): BFA Art Education, BFA Graphic Design, or BFA Studio Arts majors only; Art Foundation Review required

Required Texts

There are no specific required texts.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will develop skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professional artists.
    • Aquire a working knowledge of art industries and target particular markets for self-promotion.
  2. Students will develop skill in expressing themselves orally and in writing.
    • Compile research on the business of art.
    • Present artwork, research, and writing to peers.
  3. Students will develop a clear understanding of, and commitment to, personal values.
    • Assess personal and artistic strengths and weaknesses and set short and long-term goals.
  4. Students will create a capstone project: A body of artwork targeted toward a specific market, contained in the final portfolio and disseminated in a final BFA exhibition. In the Fall session of the course, students will complete half of this project. Students will prepare, edit, and curate artwork for public presentation.

Course Requirements

A. Active Participation in all class activities.
Class sessions will include both group work and individual "Work Days." "Work Days" are set aside for you to work on your project and you will log your progress in your E-Journal. Your instructor will be available throughout class hours to help you.

B. Timely completion of all assignments.
To succeed as a professional artist, you must learn to meet client deadlines consistently. Striving to meet course deadlines will help prepare you for the real-world.

C. Preparation of a focused body of artwork for public viewing.
During the Fall semester you will plan your "Capstone Project" and complete half of the art content. During Spring semester you will complete your project and exhibit it for the public.

D. Final Exam: A final critique will take place during the scheduled final exam time.

Projects & Grade Weight

10%   Course Management
20%   E-Journal (Starting Portfolio, Work Day Log, Career Research)
70%   Capstone Project/BFA Exhibition

* I reserve the right to modify or reduce the number or scope of assignments.

Grading Criteria

A = Extra Effort; Meets and Exceeds the requirements. Thorough, thoughtful research evident.
B = Satisfactory Effort; Meets but does not exceed requirements; Basic research evident.
C = Some effort: Some, but not all requirements met. Research included, but incomplete.
D = Minimal effort: Majority of the project requirements not met with minimal research.
F = Unacceptable.

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

MONTH 1
• Career & Art Market Research
• Create E-Journal & Work Log
• Develop your "Capstone Project" concept
• Build a "Concept Packet/Pitch" containing:
     1. Written Concept  2. "Proof of Concept" Artwork  3. Project Schedule
• Pitch Concept and Aquire a Mentor

MONTH 2
• Work toward 25% completion of project artwork
* Meet for regular Peer, Mentor, and Instructor feedback
• Class discussions on business topics
• Begin professional writing: Biography, Resume, Artist Statement

MONTH 3
• Work toward 50% completion of project artwork
• Meet for regular Peer, Mentor, and Instructor feedback
• Class discussions on business topics

MONTH 4 
• 50% Artwork Complete! — Install "Sr BFA Preview" Show
• Due: E-Journal/Work Log and Drafts of Professional Writing

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

Deadlines & Late Work

Projects must be turned in on time. Late projects will lose one letter grade for each day that they are turned in late. All days, including weekends, count toward late deductions. Late assignments will be graded at my own convenience—time wise.

Classroom Management & Maintenance
  1. Clean up after yourself at the end of each class and after using the studio after class hours!
  2. Phones may be needed occasionally during class for research, however, turn off the ringer on your phone to avoid disturbing others.
  3. It is not acceptable to watch off-topic movies, YouTube, or other videos during class.
  4. Headphones may be used during work time, as long as you use low volume to avoid disturbing others.
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 without the aid of generative AI. Any perceived use of generative AI will be investigated for possible submission to the university as cheating.

Attendance Policy

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=

Methods of Instruction

Presentations, Discussions, Critiques, Group Activities, Guest Speakers, and Individual Consultations

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.

Course Fees

Art Studio courses of these type have a fee of $19.00 per credit hour.

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.