Rachel Schreiber | courses

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MASTER'S PROJECT 2: VISCR616
California College of the Arts, Spring 2009
Wednesdays 12pm–3pm, SF Campus

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Master's Project is the capstone of the program. Master's Project 2 guides VCS thesis students through two aspects of the thesis project: symposium and Sightlines.

The Spring 2009 VCS Symposium will be held on Saturday, April 4. At the symposium, each VCS thesis student will make a presentation based on their thesis project. Students may choose to make a presentation that summarizes the entire project, or to present one chapter or case study. The presentation will be accompanied by a visual (PowerPoint) presentation. In preparation for symposium, students are expected to attend rehearsals, at which they will present their own work and critique the work of their peers.

Sightlines is VCS's print and online publication of a 5,000 word essay representing the thesis project. Again here, students may choose between publishing a paper that provides an overview of their project, or an excerpt. In producing the Sightlines piece, students will gain experience working with an editor and a copy editor, and in procuring images and image rights.

Schedule:
Please note that additional individual meetings will be scheduled, and additional group meetings will be added.

Date Meeting/Deadline Location Time
January 28 Turn in full thesis materials to Rachel (electronic)    
Feb 4

2:30 pm Molly
3:00 pm Camellia
3:30 pm Duane
4:00 pm Paola
4:30 pm Adrienne
5:00 pm Jen

VCS homeroom  
Feb 5 1:00 pm Rory
2:00 pm Liu
2:30 pm Zach
VCS homeroom  
February 11 Everyone: meet to discuss presentations, PowerPoint, etc. GC2 12-3
February 25 Symposium presentations:
Molly, Adrienne, Duane, Paola, Rory
GC2 12-3
March 4 Symposium presentations:
Jen, Zach, Camellia, Liu
VCS homeroom 3-6pm
March 11 Symposium run-throughs VCS homeroom 2-6pm
March 13 Symposium run-throughs VCS homeroom 2-6pm
March 25 Symposium presentations:
Molly, Adrienne, Duane, Paola, Rory
GC2 12-3
March 26 Symposium presentations:
Jen, Zach, Camellia, Liu
VCS homeroom 4-7pm
March 30 Symposium rehearsal with guests VCS homeroom 12-6
April 1 Symposium rehearsal Timken 3-?
April 3 Dress rehearsal Timken 3-6
April 4 SYMPOSIUM! Timken all day
April 24 Sightlines revision due in hard copy VCS homeroom  

 

 

Please see the Google calendar for the full list of Spring deadlines:
http://www.google.com/calendar/render

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course emphasizes the following learning outcomes:

  • Visual Communication
    The ability to represent one’s ideas visually
  • Visual Literacy
    Students will learn to analyze, interpret, and explain images.
  • Interdisciplinarity
    Within students' own work as well as through critiquing the work of their peers, students will learn about the methods and concerns of a range of disciplines.
  • Collaboration
    A facility with team-building, exchanging of ideas, and active participation in a common enterprise
  • Understanding of Cultural Diversity
    Recognizing and responding to cultural differences
  • Professional development
    Students will learn to present their work within the context of the symposium, and to prepare a piece of original writing for publication. Students will collaborate with each other to produce the symposium event.
  • Methods of Critical Analysis
    Proficiency in manners of engaged, rigorous, and careful evaluation, interpretation, and explication of both the students' own topics as well as the topics of their peers will be emphasized.
  • Written and Verbal Communication
    Students will focus on presenting their ideas in their writing, as well as in presentations of their work that include visual components.
  • Leadership
    Initiating or originating (independent judgment, individuated or innovative contributions to a discourse or practice); uniting others around a shared goal or practice; incorporating perspectives of others as well as one’s own in an initiative