I.  Instructor:     Linda Whitney
    Office:            MCCAR 355, 845-7598
     E-mail:          linda_whitney@mail.vcsu.nodak.edu
    Office hours: MWF 8:00 - 9:00 AM and TR 2:00 - 3:00 PM

II. CATALOG DESCRIPTION
     SENIOR SEMINAR and EXHIBITION is a course in the development of the professional aspect
     of visual arts.  Includes resume writing, artist’s statement, presentation and documentation of
     artwork, and brochure development.
     SENIOR PORTFOLIO assists the students in the development of VCSU Abilities digital portfolio.
     The course will address both content and technical application

III. COURSE OBJECTIVES
       Both Senior Seminar and Exhibition and Senior Portfolio work as a capstone course for student
       Learning at VCSU.  The course is comprised of real world projects that that culminate in a
       successful exhibition and portfolio.

IV. COURSE POLICIES
      A.  ATTENDANCE:  Attendance is expected.  Any absence disrupts the flow of
            the learning process.  This is a looking, reading, discussing, and writing
            course.  100 points (thirty-three percent of your evaluation) are accomplished
            in daily class participation.   For each class you miss you will be required to
            write an essay on a subject covered during your absence.
     B.  PARTICIPATION:  Please be prepared to participate during each class
           session
     C. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  The Academic Integrity Policy of VCSU is stated
          in the web based Student Handbook.  Please read the policy.  It is expected
          that all students in this class will concur with this policy.  Any student who
          violates this policy in this course will be faced with sanction 1. The following
          is a link to the Academic Integrity Policy.

       http://www.vcsu.nodak.edu/documents/studenthandbook/academicintegrity.htm

V. COURSE OUTLINE:
    A. Artist’s Statement
        1.  Reasoning behind the development of art work
        2.  Reasoning behind your choice to make art
        3.  Technical approaches
    B. Brochure
        1.  Artist’s Statement
        2.  List of works
    C. Press Release
        1.  Gallery - time, dates, reception
        2.  BW photo of artist and/or work
        3.  Artist quotes
        4.  Descriptive narrative of exhibition
    D. Exhibition
        1.  Use of Space
        2.  Work properly presented
        3.  Reception / Gallery talk
    E. Resume
        1.  Focused on future needs
    F. Letter of Application
        1. Focused on career track
   G. Documentation of Work
        1.  35mm slide
        2.  Print film
   H. Portfolio
        1.  Slides – high quality 35 mm slides, label properly
        2.  Documentation of senior exhibition (brochure, press release, invitation)
        3.  BW and color prints
        4.  Abilities Portfolio CD ROM:
             a.  Abilities Projects with Reflections
             b.  Resume
             c.  Presentation of artwork
             d.  Presentation of computer graphics
             e.  Documentation of all technical skills (fine art and graphic/computer) including web page development

    I. MAJOR ABILITIES MET BY SENIOR SEMINAR:
       Communication  - Conveys thoughts, ideas, data, information, and messages effectively
             Visual – Level 5
                ·Presents artwork appropriately
             Written – Level 4
               · Moves beyond surfaces responses and evidences critical thinking skills
               · Understands and appropriately applies visual art concepts and strategies to produce an artist’s statement
               · Synthesizes thoughts and ideas to develop the individual interpretation
             Spoken – Level 4
               · Understand and orally communicates concepts specific to visual art
               · Assembles an art language gallery talk
               · Verbally critiques and analyzes ones own work

       Wellness – Level 5
         · Assesses the self-directed senior exhibition
         · Integrates that commitment into daily life
         · Evaluates the effectiveness / impact of personal choices in the project

VI. EVALUATION
    A.  Evaluation in both courses will be based on the professional quality and the timeliness of the presentations.  All projects in the both courses
          are sequential and the success of the presentations depends on the appropriate sequence.

VII. SENIOR SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION; SENIOR PORTFOLIO SESSIONS
 Session 1
· Discuss Exhibition, Portfolio, and Abilities Portfolio
· View sample portfolios and exhibition PR
Assignment: Bring in thoughts on art-making

Session 2
· Develop front page slide
· Work on artist statement
Assignment: Work on artist’s statement

Session 3
· Photograph artwork
Assignment: Complete photo work

Session 4
· Discuss matting, framing and ordering frames
· Scan slides
Assignment: Order frames

Session 5
· Discuss Departmental Ability requirements
· Discuss resume
Assignment: Work on resume

Session 6
· Discuss Exhibition PR and etiquette
· Discuss reflective statements and their importance to the portfolio and life
Assignment: Bring in artist’s statement and resume

Session 7
· Discuss Departmental portfolio criteria
· Discuss audience for portfolio
· Discuss connection between Abilities and projects
Assignment: Work on Abilities portfolio

Session 8
· Demonstrate creating audio and video
Assignment: Record reflective statement

Session 9
· Demo of rough draft
Assignment: Complete portfolio for viewing

Session 10
· Review portfolio
· Revisit exhibition PR
Assignment: Write press release and edit artist’s statement

Session 11
· Review rough draft of press release and artist’s statement
· Discuss artist’s talk
Assignment: Develop artist’s talk

Session 12
· Review artist’s talk
· Discuss labels and reception
Assignment: Frame artwork

Session 13
· Present artwork
Assignment: Create labels

Session 14
· Present portfolio
Assignment: Edit portfolio for exit evaluation
                Sign up for exit evaluation

Session 15
· Install exhibition