Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Basic Drawing (Face-to-Face)

ART 1020-06

Course: ART 1020-06
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: ARTD
CRN: 13733

Course Description

A studio class which focuses on the basic techniques of observational drawing: realistic representation, light and shadow, and linear perspective. Students will gain appreciation of the visual arts through the development of fundamental drawing skills. This course is appropriate for students not pursuing art as a major and no prior drawing experience is necessary. (Fall, Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English program majors may not enroll

Required Texts

There are no required texts for this course.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to understand the basics of measuring proportions with height/width, angles, and positional references.

Students will use value to mimic light in a drawing.

Students will be able to understand the basic forms and linear perspective to create a three-dimensional volume in their drawings.

Course Requirements

Grading will be based on participation and attendance in class, and the completion of drawing assignments.

The breakdown of points is as follows.

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

The course will develop the student's practice and use of fundamental drawing techniques.

-Measuring Proportions
-Linear Perspective
-Basic Forms
-Line, Value, and Edge Control

Throughout the course, students will be able to participate in creative development, the project process, and critiques to gain a broader set of practical skills.

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

All assignments must be turned in on time. Assignments turned in after the scheduled deadline will be considered late and will receive a 4% deduction each day the assignment is late, starting from the time of the due date.

If an assignment is submitted on time, but incomplete, the student may resubmit the completed assignment at a later date for additional points.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is required. Drawing instruction and participation is the most effective in the studio environment. 

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.

Unexcused absences will hurt your participation grade. If you happen to miss class, meet with the instructor to determine a way to make up the work you missed.

Course Fees

*Course fees go towards model fees, and various supplies provided for students in class.


Material List

*Disclaimer: As this is the first non-majors course I've taught, I am hesitant to recommend the full materials list I usually give students. I will recommend materials throughout the course, and depending on the needs of the class.

To start, I recommend having an HB pencil and a sketchbook that is at least 8.5 in by 11 in. A rubber or kneaded eraser would also be appropriate.

For larger drawings, a large drawing pad will be necessary. These should be 18 in by 24 in. But you will not need them on the first day of class. I recommend buying Newsprint pads, as they will be cheaper.

A large drawing board will also be useful, but they can be costly. The school has a few that can be borrowed, but I recommend doing some research before making your purchase.

Further materials will be discussed as we proceed in the course. If you have any materials you would like to use in class, feel free to bring them.

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.