Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Studio Arts Foundation (non-majors) (Face-to-Face)

ART 1040-02

Course: ART 1040-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: ARTD
CRN: 30234

Course Description

A study of design fundamentals with an application in two-dimensional media. Presents the basic design principles and elements employed in all visual expression. Includes an introduction to basic color theory. This course is for students that are not majoring in filmmaking, art, and design. (Fall, Spring) Registration Restriction(s): Intensive English Program majors may not enroll.

Required Texts

No text is required for the course.


Supplies:

Please note that some supplies will be available in our classroom if you don't want to have your own supplies. You should have your own paper and paint.
  • 11 x 17 inch good quality drawing notepad, Bristol, or watercolor paper  (please make sure this is NOT newsprint or tracing paper).
  • Acrylic Paint: One cool and one warm tone of each of the primary colors blue (such as ultramarine and primary blue), red (such as Alizarin/magenta and primary red), and yellow (lemon and cadmium deep); one 4oz. tube of mars black, one 4oz tube of titanium white.  Get the brand Liquitex basic, here is a paint set link and you can always purchase individually if you choose. (PAINT SET Links to an external site.).  Each tube should be around $4.  You can also check the bookstore or Michael's in St. George, or online. MAKE SURE YOU TYPE IN ACRYLIC IN YOUR GOOGLE SEARCH! DO NOT GET OIL PAINT! Ask for help if you're unsure which are cool or warm in your primary blue, red, yellow colors. 
  • Sharpies- 1 extra fine point black sharpie, 1 fine point black sharpie, 1 nib tip black sharpie and 1 .01 black micron maker
  • 12 inch metal ruler
  • #2 pencil, variety of graphite/ charcoal pencils
  • Colored pencils/colored markers
  • Scissors
  • Paint brushes
  • Paint palette or paper plates to paint on
  • Cutting board 
  • 1 Kneaded eraser

Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes At the end of this course, students will be able to:
• Define and effectively manipulate the elements and principles of design
• Effectively utilize basic color theory principles
• Produce visually appealing designs with a set of practical art-making skills
• Constructively and tactfully communicate about personal and peer artworks
• Develop inventive concepts using various problem-solving strategies

Course Requirements


Course Requirements: 

  1. Participation in all class sessions, drawing activities, assignments, experimentation, projects, and critiques is critical and required. While digital tools (with the exception of AI) may be used during the planning stage, all work will be created physically for this class. 
  2.  Please note that arriving late, leaving early, disappearing from class for excessive periods of time and improper technology use affect attendance points and grades. 

  1. Assessment Methods

    Grades will be calculated based on excellence in completion of six main design projects, full participation in class assignments, experiments, group activities including critiques, and attendance with appropriate technology use. 

    Rubrics and a detailed main design projects overview are located under class information on the home page for your reference.

    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

What is dishonest activity in an art class? 
• Turning in artwork created for other classes. 
• 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. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:  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.  

Classroom Management & Maintenance
 

  1. Please clean up after yourself and ensure that the classroom remains clean and orderly for all students using this space. Absolutely NO OIL PAINT/SOLVENTS are allowed to go down the drains. 
  2. Cell phone use for social media browsing, watching videos, texting, games, calls, etc. is not allowed during class time. Please note that this impacts final grades. 
  3. Be courteous, kind, and respectful of others. 



Design Projects:
Project 1: Three Nature Studies (80 points)
Project 1 Critique: (25 points)
Project 2: Cut and Torn Paper Landscape Collage (80 points)
Project 2 Critique: (25 points)
Project 3: Drawing of Three Personally Meaningful Objects (80 Points)
Project 3 Critique: (25 points)
Project 4: Abstract/Non-Objective Grids (80 points)
Project 4 Critique: (25 points)
Project 5: Creative Color Wheels- Interdisciplinary (90 points)
Project 5 Critique: (25 points)
Project 6 Final: Five Random Words (90 points)
Project 6 Critique: (25 points)


Course Outline

Learning Activities & Methods of Instruction: 

Face-to-face instruction, presentations, demonstrations, art-making exercises, instructor-guided work time, group activities, display and discuss critiques, and individual consultations.

Studio Arts Foundation Fall 2026 Schedule 

Week 1: Welcome! Introduction: Course Overview, materials, Overview of Design Elements, format & Team Activity  

Week 2:  Line Activity, Introduce Nature Studies Project, Creative Problem Solving; Brainstorm/Thumbnails, groups to discuss thumbnails, Shape language activity, Studio Time: Nature Studies  

Week 3: Studio Time: Nature Studies, Display/ Discuss Critique: Nature Studies 

Week 4: Introducing Collage Project, Discuss shape, positive/negative space, 4 Color Attributes, Unity and Variety, Shape Language activity, Experimentation, thumbnails, Studio Time: Landscape collage 

Week 5: Studio Time: Paper Collage, Display and Discuss Critique: Collage 

Week 6: Intro Grid project, experiment/thumbnails for Grid Project, Studio Time: Grid Project, Discuss balance & visual weight, symmetry, radial, all-over pattern  

Week 7: Display and Discuss: Grid Project, introduce 3 Personally Meaningful Objects drawing project 

Week 8: Fall Break (Tues. Oct 20) Thurs-Discuss Texture, Emphasis, focal point, Dominant vs. Subordinate/Hierarchy Studio Time: 3 Personally Meaningful Objects drawing project 

Week 9: Studio time: 3 Personally Meaningful Objects, Display and Discuss: Three Meaningful Objects 

Week 10: Color theory: analogous/complementary, monotone, High Key, Low Key, Full Range of value, Value Charts, 3 small Monochrome paintings in 3 Keys, 4 attributes of color, Color Wheels hue/tint/tone/shade experiments, Warm/Cool colors, Intro Creative color wheels 

Week 11: Status check on missing work, Discuss rhythm, movement, continuity, harmony, repetition with variation, contrast, Active vs. Passive, Studio Time: Creative Color Wheels 

Week 12: Studio Time: Creative Color Wheels, Display and Discuss Critique: Creative Color Wheels project 

Week 13: Thanksgiving Break- No classes 

Week 14: Introduce 5 Random Word Story project/Brainstorm, Group activities, Studio Time: Random Word Story 

Week 15: Studio Time: Random Word Story 

Week 16: Monday 14-Dec Final: Display and Discuss for Final Project (Random Word Story)  


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

Late Work Policy

Meeting deadlines is essential in a collaborative, critique-based course like this one. Projects must be submitted on time to receive in-class feedback and to be included in critiques. Late work will only be accepted if you communicate with me before the due date. If approved, late submissions may be penalized by a 5% deduction per day, up to a maximum of 25%. 

Unexcused late work, or work turned in after critiques have begun without prior communication, will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. Arriving late to a critique without prior notice will result in being marked absent, and your project will not be reviewed.

Students are responsible for managing their time and anticipating potential conflicts. If you’re facing unexpected circumstances, reach out early—I’m happy to work with you when communication is proactive.

Make up work will be handled on a case by case basis, with appropriate documentation for excused absences.

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.

Course Fees

Course fee is $19.00 per credit

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.