Time Schedule:
Amy M Lambert
BIS 397
Bothell Campus
Examines topics in Environmental Studies. Includes social, political, historical, cultural, artistic, economic, or scientific explorations of environmental issues.
Class description
SUMMER 2012 BIS 397 A PUBLIC ART AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION What do ecological restoration and public art have in common? Both disciplines are models for thinking about questions of function. The primary objective in this course is to investigate the concept of function as it relates to ecological restoration and public art. What are the goals and standards of public art and ecological restoration? How should we assess the effectiveness of public art and/or ecological restoration? Students will use visual art techniques and digital photography to investigate these questions. Concepts will be discussed from both a human and ecological perspective to better understand how the natural environment informs human identity and how humans have transformed the natural environment. Students will participate in a field-based art and restoration project that will culminate in a public photographic exhibition documenting the intersection of art and restoration. *This course has two required field trips
BIS 397 B URBAN BEE BEHAVIOR STUDIES - WHAT'S THE BUZZ? What's the differences between native bees and honey bees? What's the life histories of solitary and social bees? We will examine the ecological importance of native bees and the role bees play in urban and natural environments. Course material will cover bee conservation, specifically, native bee habitat and the relationship of honey bees to food production. Course activities will include identification and observation of bees in urban and natural environments. Guest speakers will be invited to talk about the maintenance, management and function of apiaries in the Seattle area. *This course has two required field trips in addition to traveling to local field sites
Student learning goals
BIS 397 A Develop language and writing skills to effectively communicate about contemporary art and ecological restoration
BIS 397 A Examine the links between the art-making process and ecological restoration process; develop multiple tools to visually communicate using formal art concepts
BIS 397 A Explore different approaches to public art that incorporate the natural environment (i.e., landscape-based art, environmental art, earthworks and ecological art)
BIS 397 B Participate in field-based observational studies of bees and learn about bee behavior and life histories
BIS 397 B Investigate the scientific and ethical concerns of managing bee populations in urban areas
BIS 397 A,B Engage in a hands-on collaborative field-based projects
General method of instruction
BIS 397 A,B Course material will be presented through interactive lectures, discussions, readings and field based activities.
BIS 397 A Generally, we will read from an art text and restoration text each week to develop questions that synthesize and bridge concepts of art and restoration. The art texts focus on contemporary environmental artists. The restoration texts center on ethical and philosophical ideas of ecological restoration with a special focus on design. Writing assignments (Question development) will be used to bridge ideas of art and restoration as well as provide a framework for group discussion. Weekly art projects will be assigned based on concepts presented in the readings. Art instruction will be provided in-class prior to art assignments and will focus on basic art strategies.
Recommended preparation
BIS 397 A Students should have a strong interest in learning about contemporary art and ecological restoration. Students will be better prepared if they have taken a course in environmental science, plant identification, art techniques or art history. However, there are no prerequisites for the course, and students should not be discouraged from participating if they lack these courses.
BIS 397 B Students should have a strong interest in learning about bees and prepared to conduct field research.
Class assignments and grading
BIS 397 A Writing assignments include the development of question sets that incorporate and synthesize concepts from both readings about art and restoration. Art assignments include the creation of artworks made from modeling clay, mark-making tools and text. Digital photography will be used to document artwork and create photographic images. Final images will be uploaded on the photo-sharing website and a select number of images will be critiqued each week.
BIS 397 A Writing assignments will be evaluated on thoughtful construction of ideas, clear and logical paragraph development, proper usage of terminology and use of supporting material. Art assignments will be evaluated on your willingness to take risks in exploring ideas (conceptual and intellectual pursuit), development of ideas and progress of work (artistic process), appropriate use of tools (craftsmanship) and presentation (ambition and investment).
