Time Schedule:
Ian Joseph Porter
B CUSP 120
Bothell Campus
Evaluates progress at the conclusion of the first year through the construction of a portfolio and offers an experiential learning opportunity, either on- or off-campus. Prerequisite: either B CUSP 115, B CUSP 116, or B CUSP 117; may not be repeated. Offered: Sp.
Class description
Class Title: Me and the Medium: Image. Sound. Text. Self.
The plural of ‘medium,’ the term ‘media’ signifies the various means, materials and milieus of human expression and action. In art and literature, artworks are formed in the media of paint, clay, photography, sound, video and text, among others. Alternatively, the Internet, television, radio and mobile phones are often called mass media or media technologies. If all these things are media, what makes a medium a medium? What are the formal and cultural characteristics of a medium? How is a mobile phone similar to and different from a painting? In this class, we will answer these questions by reflecting on, interpreting and producing media across these domains. At its core, this class is about the critical and creative endeavor of interpretation. By interpreting artistic and cultural forms, students will develop important skills to interpret their own experiences as they produce the culminating CUSP Student Portfolio. As the keystone of the Discovery Core sequence, the CUSP Student Portfolio provides an opportunity for students to reflect on their first year experiences in order to better understand their own development and their goals for the future. In addition to the portfolio assignment, students will engage a variety of media theories and artifacts (video and sound art, pop music, and others) to develop their critical skills. In addition, students will produce at least one media artifact, though no media production experience is expected.
Student learning goals
Reflect critically and creatively on one’s first year experience at UW Bothell by producing an electronic portfolio, which includes writing a reflective essay based on three artifacts of learning from one’s first year experiences.
Develop a critical vocabulary and a process for interpreting a range of media forms.
Practice interpreting a range of media forms, including analog and digital forms of visual art, sonic art, and music.
Produce a media artifact.
General method of instruction
This course is 25 percent Hybrid, which means that one hour out of the four hours per week in class will be spent doing work out of class and/or online. During the class session, there will be short lectures, large and small group discussion, and hands-on individual and group activities.
Recommended preparation
No prerequisites.
Class assignments and grading
As a writing (W) credit, this class will include the required amount of writing for that credit. Writing assignments include the self-reflective essay for the CUSP Student Portfolio, as well as other short essays on art, music and other media. In addition, students will produce a media artifact, though no background experience in media production is expected. All assignments will demand critical and creative thinking.
Grades are assigned based on the quality of the work. Students will be given ample amounts of time for assignments, and they will get the opportunity to revise and resubmit at least one assignment. In addition, what counts as "quality work" will be made clear to the students when given assignments.
