Art Foundation
Art Foundation
Course Description
This course provides a foundation in drawing. Students engage in a sequence of exercises and problems that
explore line, shape, texture, value, form, perspective, and composition. Grounded in the "studio fundamentals,"
the course is animated by a series of themes and embedded in a philosophy of inquiry-based learning to
facilitate critical thinking, conceptual depth, and broad-based historical and cultural awareness. A variety of mediums will
be explored.
Course Objective
Students will develop technical expertise with drawing tools and surfaces. They will effectively translate three
dimensional objects into two-dimensional space using a variety of approaches to drawing. Students will develop a
professional art vocabulary, enabling them to confidently participate in critiques, in which they evaluate their own and
others’ work. Students will develop an appreciation of different artistic approaches and styles and an understanding of
how context influences art, by analyzing key examples of historical and contemporary drawing.
Course Topics
● Gesture ● Line
● Shape ● Form
● Perspective ● Texture
● Composition ● Value
Course Requirements
1. Portfolios | Portfolios will be turned in for grading. The portfolios will include in-class exercises and outside
assignments. Portfolios that do not contain all of the required assignments and/or contain unfinished drawings
will receive a grade of C, D, or E. Grades on late portfolios will be lowered, see late work policy. Presentation is an
important element in the evaluation of your work, so keep your drawings in good condition for your portfolio.
2. Homework | There will be weekly sketchbook assignments, and the sketchbook will be submitted throughout
the semester for grading. Homework will sometimes involve larger more sustained drawings that will be
submitted in each portfolio. Homework will also include gathering and printing image resources.
3. Tests | A mid-term and end-of-semester test will be given to assess each student’s understanding of course
materials from the required reading assignments. The two tests will involve identification and definition of terms
related to visual elements and drawing materials.
Course Materials
● Required Art Supplies
Please review the materials list located on Canvas on the home page or under the modules tab. There is an
option to purchase a pre-prepared drawing kit available at Blick Art Materials on 930 E University Dr. that
contains most of your required supplies at a discounted bulk rate if you are interested. NOTE: You are not
required to buy this kit but you are required to have all required materials on the supply list.
● Art Supply Vendors close to Tempe Campus
○ Blick Art Materials – 930 E University Dr, Tempe, AZ, 480-446–0800
○ Jerry’s Artarama – 4421 S Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ, 480-775–6787
○ ARC – artresourcecenter.org, 910 S. Hohokam Dr. #105, Tempe, AZ, 602-828–1987
■ Don’t forget to ask for student discounts!
Failure to bring required exercise, assignment, or project materials to class will count as an unexcused absence. It
is your responsibility to check your emails, pay attention in class, and remember to bring those materials.
● Required Reading
Readings for this course will be posted and accessible on Canvas as we navigate each unit. Canvas can be
accessed via My ASU or go directly to https://canvas.asu.edu.
Grading
All grades will be graded to the tenth decimal. No rounding of grades will occur. No extra credit will be given. Attendance
at critiques is mandatory. If you are absent for a critique, your grade for that assignment drops one full letter grade.
Assignments will be graded on a point system and will be graded according to five categories:
● Concept - Intention, Innovation, originality
● Craft - craftsmanship, presentation
● Creativity - individual personality, style, quality, risk, experimentation
● Comprehension - Does project show the objectives of the assignment
● Contribution - In-progress check-ins, participation during critique
Grading Percentages
● Portfolio 60%
● Sketchbook 30%
● Tests 10%
Grading Scale
● A+: 100–98
● A: 97.9-93
● A-: 93.9-90
● B+: 89.9–88
● B: 87.9–83
● B-: 82.9–80
● C+: 79.9–78
● C: 77.9–70
● D: 69.9–60
● E: 59.9–0 (fail)
Course Access
Your ASU courses can be accessed by both my.asu.edu and myasucourses.asu.edu; bookmark both if one site is
down.
Class Etiquette
In order to foster a creative and dynamic studio environment for all class members, it is crucial that students are
respectful of others’ work, both finished and in-progress, and contribute to studio clean up at the end of every session.
There will be regularly scheduled studio cleanup and general studio rules to follow.
● Come to class on time, prepared to work, with art supplies
● Technology Usage
○ It is encouraged that you bring technology (cell phones, tablets and laptops) to class to help you take
notes and do research, however, turn off cell phone ringers and do not use your phone to make personal
calls in class or use any technology to use social media in class. Do not answer your phone in class. If you
believe you are receiving an emergency call, please step outside to take it.
● Personal music is allowed with 1 headphone in and 1 headphone out. When instruction is given, at any point, full
attention must be given.
● Pace your work so that you are not too far ahead or behind.
● If you are tardy or absent, the instructor will not repeat the lecture for you. Ask a fellow student to trade notes
and information in case of absence, and always check canvas for missed information.
● At the end of class, please clean your work area.
Student Success
To be successful in this class:
● Attend and participate in class.
● Be on time.
● Read announcements (I promise they’re helpful).
● Read and respond to course email messages as needed. I will not send unnecessary emails.
● Complete assignments by the due dates specified.
● Communicate regularly with your instructor and peers.
● Ask questions! Take advantage of your classmates’ knowledge. If I’m not available to answer your question right
away, ask a classmate.
● Create a study and/or assignment schedule to stay on track.
● Have fun! Make work that is interesting to you, and you will find that you will put more effort into that
work.
● Challenge yourself and push yourself beyond your comfort zone when learning new techniques.
● Come to class prepared to work. Use studio time wisely.
● Participate in critiques (treat them like exam days).
● Be respectful of the shared space and keep the studio clean.
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory and required for the entire class period. Roll will be taken each session at the beginning of the
period. Departures from full attendance such as arriving late, leaving early, and returning late from breaks will also be
recorded throughout the class period. Attendance at critiques is mandatory. If you are absent for a critique, your grade
for that assignment drops one full letter grade. If you miss class, you are required to check canvas and/or contact your
fellow classmates first before emailing me asking what you missed.
Arizona State University and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts expect the highest standards of academic
integrity from all students. Failure to meet these standards may result in suspension or expulsion from the university or
other sanctions as specified in the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy (http://provost.asu.edu/academicintegrity),
“[e]ach student must act with honesty and integrity and must respect the rights of others in carrying out all academic
assignments.” This policy also defines academic dishonesty and sets a process for faculty members and colleges to
sanction dishonesty. Violations of this policy fall into five broad areas that include but are not limited to:
● Cheating on an academic evaluation or assignments
● Plagiarizing
● Academic deceit, such as fabricating data or information
● Aiding Academic Integrity Policy violations and inappropriately collaborating
● Falsifying academic records
I sanction any incidents of academic dishonesty in my courses using University and HIDA guidelines. Should you have any
question about whether or not something falls subject to this clause, feel free to contact me or review the university
policy on academic integrity at the above link. Per ASU policy, a student may not avoid the consequences of academic
dishonesty by withdrawing from a course and may be placed back in the course in order to face sanctions resulting from
academic integrity violations. You are responsible for abiding by this policy.
Copyright
Students must refrain from uploading to any course shell, discussion board, or website used by the course instructor or
other course forum, material that is not the student's original work, unless the students first comply with all applicable
copyright laws; faculty members reserve the right to delete materials on the grounds of suspected copyright
infringement. A statement that the course content, including lectures and other handouts, is copyrighted material.
Students may not share outside the class, upload, sell, or distribute course content or notes taken during the conduct of
the course (see ACD 304–06, “Commercial Note Taking Services” for more information). This content is protected and
may not be shared, uploaded, sold, or distributed.
Student Conduct
ASU adheres to a university-wide Student Code of Conduct. The philosophy behind this policy states: The aim of
education is the intellectual, personal, social, and ethical development of the individual. The educational process is
ideally conducted in an environment that encourages reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, openness to constructive
change and respect for the rights of all individuals. Self-discipline and a respect for the rights of others in the university
community are necessary for the fulfillment of such goals. The Student Code of Conduct is designed to promote this
environment at each of the state universities. You are expected to treat your instructor and your fellow classmates with
respect and kindness. In all correspondence and in Discussion Board postings, you should show respect for the
viewpoints of others who may disagree with you or see things from a different perspective. Criticizing, ridiculing,
insulting, or belittling others will not be accepted. Keep in mind that electronic communications do not have the
advantage of nonverbal cues that are so much a part of interpersonal communication. Humor or satire can sometimes be
misinterpreted in strictly electronic communication forums.
Withdrawal
If you are unable to complete the course, it is your responsibility to arrange for withdrawal from the class. You will not be
automatically withdrawn and unless you are officially withdrawn from the course you will receive a final grade based
upon the total points you have earned for the semester. Students are required to pay all tuition and fees for any
registered course unless enrollment is officially canceled during the 100% refund period. Please visit the Academic
Calendar to review the withdrawal deadlines for this semester. For more information on Drop/Add and Withdrawal
policies visit: https://students.asu.edu/drop-add
Subject To Change
The instructor reserves the right to change portions of this syllabus (assignments, deadlines etc.) by verbal instructions
during scheduled class time. The student is responsible for noting changes and acting accordingly. Grading and absence
policies are not subject to change.
Academic Calendar
The academic calendar can be found here: https://students.asu.edu/academic-calendar