Course Description + Objectives
This course emphasises a conceptual and cultural study for understanding computer art practices. This course offers students the foundation necessary for working with computers in the context of the Visual Arts field of study. Students will be introduced to the history, theory and practice of technology in art, while creating art forms such as World Wide Web pages, digital images, 2-dimensional animations, and digital film output. All technical objectives are directly related to problem solving within an artistic/conceptual framework. Lectures, readings, discussions, examples of projects, as well as hands-on computer demonstrations will provide a foundation for the development of long-term skills in digital media. ART 282 is not a software training course. The computer shall be explored as a tool for artists in an Intermedia practice.

No previous experience with computers is required. However, ART 210 Visual Concepts is required as a prerequisite and you must be a declared Visual Arts Department major. Please note that students must adhere to the policies of the Visual Arts Department and the University Computing Service regarding the Macintosh and SGI computer labs. Failure to do so will result in the student losing access to the ECS and Visual Arts Department Labs.

The Lecture + Lab Format
The Lectures will emphasize technology as a product of cultural and will examine technology as motivated by particular historic contexts. The computer will be examined as a vehicle which extends the body and ideas. Alternatively, we will examine artistic practice within particular historical moments to demonstrate the way art influences both technology and culture. New and emerging artworks such as interactive performance, hypertext, sound and multi-media installation, virtual reality, artificial life, cyborgs and robotics will be presented to the class during lectures. A consideration of art historical and contemporary developments shall be key to developing creative flexibility and critical thinking skills.

Lab exercises will utilize computer tools and their interfaces to explore concepts surveyed during lectures. The basics of the operating systems for Macintosh and UNIX platforms, and file management, file formats, RAM, bit depth, color, resolution, etc. will be instructed in lecture and in lab sections. Students will apply their technical and conceptual skills to a variety of output including email exchanges, World Wide Web authoring, digital image collage, 2-dimensional animation, and slide projection works. Members of the class will also be required to participate in discussions of topics and the text related to the course in lectures, labs, and through virtual forums such as email and listserv postings.

Lab Meetings
[0273] 0102 Monday 4:30pm- 6:20pm (ECS 336) Ingrid Ankerson
[0272] 0101 Tuesday 9:00am-10:50am (ECS 336) Bridget Hanlon
[0275] 0104 Wesnesday 4:30pm- 6:20pm (ECS 336) Ingrid Ankerson
[0274] 0103 Thursday 9:00am-10:50am (ECS 336) Bridget Hanlon

Requirements
1) Projects
2) Lab Exercises -- take-home and in-class assignments
3) Participation -- Listserv responses to course materials
4) Attendance


Projects + Grading
Students will be graded by letter on all collected or evaluated work. Work must be completed on time and in full satisfaction of each project goal. Late work (assignments handed in after the start of in-class critique sessions) will be automatically downgraded by one letter grade. An Incomplete can only be assigned to students with a passing record unable to complete work due to some unforeseeable serious illness or personal tragedy. Non-allowable excuses include job related assignments or workloads from other courses. Students must assume responsibility for preparing all necessary incomplete status paperwork for faculty signature and for submission to the department.
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A	Well above the expectations of the course. Outstanding participation, attendance, and mastery of conceptual skills as well as tools.
B	Above average assignments and mastery of concepts, tools and materials, good participation.
C	Average execution of assignments, adequite understanding of concepts, tools, average participation.
D	Below the expectations of the course, poor grasp of concepts, tools and materials, little participation in critiques.
F	Unsatisfactory work, failure to grasp concepts, unsatisfactory attendance and participation in critiques.

Attendance
ART 282 is a very demanding course. Please note that three or more unexcused absences from lecture or labs may result in the failure of Art282. The faculty and lab Instructors will pass out attendance sheets at the start of every lecture and lab. Two unexcused late arrivals or early departures will be marked as the equivalent of one absence. Absence from a class does not excuse skipping a tutorial, reading assignment, or project. Students are fully responsible for completing work.

Readings
Critiques will frequently be initiated from various topics covered in the text. In order to participate effectively you will need to have read the text and be able to articulate your response to it within the context of class discussion and critique.

Supplementary Texts
"Dreamweaver 4 for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide," J. Tarin Towers, Peachpit Press
"HTML 4 for the World Wide Web, Fourth Edition: Visual QuickStart Guide," Elizabeth Castro, Peachpit Press
"Learning the UNIX Operating System, 4th Edition," Jerry Peek, Grace Todino & John Strang, O'Reilly and Associates
"The Little Mac Book (Little Mac Book, Ed 6)," by Robin Williams, Peachpit Press
"Photoshop 6 for Windows and Macintosh Visual Quickstart Guide," by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas. Peachpit Press

Supplies
Zip disks (UMBC Bookstore)
Stereo headphones, (Walkman type OK)
Stereo mini-plug (3.5 mm) to RCA stereo plugs

SCHEDULE
Please note: this schedule is subject to revision and may be modified during the quarter.
Reading and viewing assignments are listed each week.
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