Rubrics

Joseph Beuys , Four Blackboards 1972. Chalk on four blackboards each 47 7/8″ x 36 “x 18”

During the 1970s, Beuys lectured extensively on art and politics, and the task of creating a genuinely democratic society. This series of three blackboards were used to illustrate an event held at Tate in 1972, in which Beuys discussed his ideas about communication and grassroots democracy. A fourth blackboard, not displayed here, was used during a subsequent lecture at the Whitechapel Gallery

⚡︎ LEARNING OUTCOMES & COURSE OBJECTIVES
⚡︎ DETAILED GRADING INFORMATION

Rubric Key

1. Aim:	Clarity of subject matter and concept through continual development of ideas.
2. Organization and Development:	Effective use of the formal constraints and strengths of the medium/media employed with meaningful variation and complexity.
3. Method:	Clear and coherent aesthetic approach (method) to working with chosen materials, with effective integration of form and content conceptually.
4. Communication:	Concept conveyed with an effective sense of audience appropriate to the concept; student exhibits development of ability to talk about their artwork.
5. Technique:	Effective use of artistic techniques in the service of the concept.

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Rubric

CATEGORY	POINTS	DESCRIPTION
In-Class work: Work, Critique & Participation	50	*This class is self-directed, project-based learning*; students are expected to develop an understanding of and alacrity with techniques of application of students’ chosen media. An important feature of this class, and your development as an artist is the ability to talk about your or someone else’s artwork cogently and confidently. There will be several opportunities for you to display and talk about your work, and gain feedback from the other member of the class. This is the critique, and it is a great opportunity to allow others to inform you about the efficacy of your choices in media, form, scale, etc.
Homework: Planning, Testing, Sketchbook, Prep & Reading	50	Homework is given weekly, aimed at using elements from class that week, and/or in combination with prior weeks, as appropriate. Homework is split into two types: one will include reading and writing about art, but may extend to directions to visit certain exhibitions (museums, galleries), or historical locations that pertain to the class. The second is correctly described as research. Artists can conduct research through a wide array of activities, some of which are traditional such as drawing, but you are not limited to traditional techniques. You can choose the media you want to use, which we will talk about over the course of the semester. The “Sketchbook” can be in any form that is appropriate: if you are making videos, then your use of a sketchbook will likely be for planning shots, scripts, etc. Sketchbook will be reviewed weekly. You will use the Sketchbook to draw and collect items of interest to you that contribute to your work. Sketchbooks are submitted for grading at the end of the semester. In order for your artwork to develop at a good rate, you should try to make the research be as continual as possible, moving towards once a day, above and beyond any homework.
First Project The Personal.	70	This is the first of 3 projects students will complete in this course. Students are expected to produce a completed artwork and include all of their preparatory materials at the critique. This project includes a theme – “The Personal”. Students are prepared for this through the homework and focus on the importance of process to art making. This project culminates in an all class critique.
Second Project The Public.	80	This is the second of 3 projects students will complete in this course. Students are expected to produce a completed artwork and include all of their preparatory materials. This project includes a prompt or theme – “The Public”. As this is the second project, students are well prepared to move through the process of making art from idea to materiality. This project culminates in an all class critique. This time should be used to note progress made, ideas that emerge and reaching out to peers for help resolving conceptual and/or practical issues.
Final Project Autonomy. End of Semester Assignment	100	This is the third and final project students will complete in this course. This project is called ‘Autonomy’. AUTONOMY IS NOT A THEME OR PROMPT This name is appropriate given that in this project, students are expected to develop the entire project – including the theme of the project. Students have total latitude for their artmaking choices in this project. The design and sequencing of the homework, and the phased structure of the semester guides students towards an independent art practice. I will provide guidance and support to all students as they make progress.
TOTAL	350	Anything above 325 = A