Faculty Syllabus

Common Course Description:

A studio art course that introduces the materials, processes, and concepts pertaining to traditional and contemporary printmaking. The course explores the use of varied tools and techniques along with the formal and conceptual principles to create editioned and unique works. 

Course Rationale:

The elements of art and principles of design are used to analyze, design, create and evaluate prints. The course combines aesthetics, art criticism, and art history with the production of printed editions. The student engages in the creative process, finds and solves problems, and pursues open-ended inquiry through the production of artworks. The student develops an aesthetic understanding through the examination of his/her own art and the artwork of others. Group discussion, critical evaluation, class involvement, and interaction are crucial parts of this process.

Instructional Methodology:

Students will learn about Printmaking through assigned readings, Instructional Videos, PowerPoint slide presentations, demonstrations of techniques, hands-on experience, and self-directed research. This course is designed to encourage experimentation with the processes covered. Demonstrations will either be given to the class as a whole or to individual students one-on-one. When an explanation or demonstration is given one-on-one, all students in the class are strongly urged to listen, observe, and participate. If you do not understand something you must take the initiative and ask for help, questions and comments are always welcomed.

Prior credit in ARTS 1313 - Drawing I and ARTS 1311 - Design I recommended.

Course Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Establish a basic knowledge of the history of prints in both Eastern and Western cultures

• Students will demonstrate practical skills in executing printed compositions; mark-making, measuring, cutting, ink application, and hand printing.

• Demonstrate an understanding of craftsmanship in the area of plate making and fine printing;

• Use the printmaking processes in creative and original ways.

• Develop the necessary vocabulary surrounding the production of a limited edition.

• Safely handle the necessary materials.

• Employ professional practices such as presentation, curation, and signage.

• Develop critical thinking skills by participating in critiques.

Program-Level Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of an A.A. degree in Art, students will;

• Effectively handle materials, methods, and techniques to prepare and present neat, well-crafted projects using standard practices in the field. (Active)

• Design Principles Apply a variety of skills, methods, and techniques to create works that demonstrate basic knowledge of formal elements and principles of design.    

• Formal analysis of artworks using standard vocabularies of form and design; critically analyze how formal and compositional properties express and convey content.

General Education Learning Outcomes:

• Critical Thinking:  Students will gather, analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and apply information.

• Cultural Awareness:  Students will compare, contrast, and interpret differences and commonalities among peoples, ideas, aesthetic traditions, and cultural practices.

• Written, Oral and Visual Communication:  Students will communicate effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

• Personal Responsibility:  Identifying and applying ethical principles and practices; demonstrating effective learning, creative thinking, and personal responsibility.

• Interpersonal Skills:  Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals. 

• Technology Skills:  Using appropriate technology to retrieve, manage, analyze, and present information.

The Suggested text for this class is THE COMPLETE PRINTMAKER by, Ross, Romano, and Ross published by The Free Press. ISBN: 0-02-927372-2.

Course Requirements:

1. One edition in Intaglio, (Edition of 5) 25%

2. One edition in lithography, (Edition of 5) 25%

3. One edition in Relief, two-block woodcut or Linoleum, (Edition of 5) 25%

4. Participation 25%

Projects will be graded according to the following rubric:

100 - 90%        89 - 80%              79 - 70%                  69 - 60%                      59% and below

      A                     B                          C                              D                                       F

Excellent          Above Average    Average                    Below Average            Unsatisfactory
Outstanding     Very Good           Good                         Needs Improvement    Poor
Exemplary       Acceptable           Not Yet Acceptable  Barely acceptable        Unacceptable

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: LINE, TEXTURE, COLOR, SHAPE/FORM, VALUE, and SPACE

A:  Planned carefully, made several sketches, and showed an awareness of the elements and principles of design; chose color schemes carefully, and used space effectively.

B:  The artwork shows that the student applied the principles of design while using one or more elements effectively; showed an awareness of filling the space adequately.

C:  The student did the assignment adequately, yet it shows a lack of planning and little evidence that an overall composition was planned.

D:  The assignment was completed and turned in, but showed little evidence of any understanding of the elements and principles of art; no evidence of planning.

F:  The student did the minimum or the artwork was never completed.

CREATIVITY/ORIGINALITY

A:  The student explored several choices before selecting one; generated many ideas; tried unusual combinations or changes on several ideas; made connections to previous knowledge; demonstrated outstanding problem-solving skills.

B:  The student tried a few ideas before selecting one, or based his or her work on someone else's idea; made decisions after referring to one source; solved the problem in a logical way.

C:  The student tried one idea and carried it out adequately, but it lacked originality; substituted "symbols" for personal observation.

D:  The student fulfilled the assignment but gave no evidence of trying anything unusual.

F:  The student showed no evidence of original thought.

EFFORT/PERSEVERANCE

A:  The project was continued until it was as complete as the student could make it; gave effort far beyond that required; took pride in going well beyond the requirement.

B:  The student worked hard and completed the project, but with a little more effort it might have been outstanding.

C:  The student finished the project, but it could have been improved with more effort; adequate interpretation of the assignment, but lacking finishes; chose an easy project and did it indifferently.

D:  The project was completed with minimum effort.

F:  The student did not finish the work adequately.

CRAFTSMANSHIP/SKILL/CONSISTENCY

A:  The artwork was beautifully and patiently done; it was as good as hard work could make it.

B:  With a little more effort, the work could have been outstanding; lacks the finishing touches.

C:  The student showed average craftsmanship; adequate, but not as good as it could have been, a bit careless.

D:  The student showed below-average craftsmanship.

F:  The student showed poor craftsmanship.

GROUP COOPERATION/ATTITUDE

A: Willingness to participate in-class activities and contribute to classroom discussions. Receptiveness to peers’ works, ideas, and the entire classroom environment. 

B: The student participated enthusiastically, followed through on commitments, and performed more than adequately.

C: The student mostly allowed others in the group to make all the decisions.

D: The student allowed others to do most of the work, did participate minimally, and did the minimum amount.

F: The student was part of the group, but did minimal.

General Supplies

Sketchbook

Drawing Pencils/erasers

Red Conte’ Crayon

Box of 50 Nitrile gloves

Needed for Intaglio – etching needle, 5" x 7" copper plate, rag paper.

Needed for lithography – ball grained lithography plate, lithographic pencils #1-5, rag paper.

Needed for Linoleum cut - two blocks mounted linoleum, linoleum cutting tools, t-shirts.

Needed for Woodcut- wood, woodcut tools, wood fill, Paper - oriental paper.

Attendance: 

Full attendance is expected, with no more than three absences allowed. Due to the intensive nature of the course instruction and demonstrations, and the amount and type of work required of students, there will be NO repeat demonstrations or lectures. If due to absence or lateness, you miss all or part of a lecture or demonstration, you will still be held responsible for the information covered. No student will be allowed to leave at the end of class until the studio is completely cleaned and restored to its original condition. Late work will drop a letter grade for each class day it is late and will not be accepted after three class days. 

Withdrawal: 

Students will be responsible for withdrawing themselves from this course. If a student stops attending class or has missed more than six classes and is not completing course work, the instructor reserves the right to initiate a withdrawal.

Incomplete:

The instructor will issue an "incomplete" grade only for extraordinary cases with extenuating circumstances. Generally, to receive a grade of "I," a student must have completed most of the coursework but after the last date to withdraw have a serious situation occur which prevents course completion. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Course Outline/Calendar

SEE WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE ON BLACKBOARD.

Statement on Academic Integrity

Austin Community College values academic integrity in the educational process.  Acts of academic dishonesty/misconduct undermine the learning process, present a disadvantage to students who earn credit honestly, and subvert the academic mission of the institution. The potential consequences of fraudulent credentials raise additional concerns for individuals and communities beyond campus who rely on institutions of higher learning to certify students' academic achievements, and expect to benefit from the claimed knowledge and skills of their graduates. Students must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, collusion, falsifying documents, or the inappropriate use of the college’s information technology resources.  Further information is available a https://www.austincc.edu/about-acc/academic-integrity-and-disciplinary-process

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Students at ACC have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of the United States. These rights include freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, petition and association. As members of the community, students have the right to express their own views, but must also take responsibility for according the same rights to others and not interfere or disrupt the learning environment. Students are entitled to fair treatment, are expected to act consistently with the values of the college, and obey local, state and federal laws. www.austincc.edu/srr As a student of Austin Community College you are expected to abide by the Student Standards of Conduct. https://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-standards-of-conduct

Senate Bill 212 and Title IX Reporting Requirements 

Under Senate Bill 212 (SB 212), the faculty and all College employees are required to report any information concerning incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking committed by or against an ACC student or employee. Federal Title IX law and College policy also require reporting incidents of sex- and gender-based discrimination and sexual misconduct. This means faculty and non-clinical counseling staff cannot keep confidential information about any such incidents that you share with them.

If you would like to talk with someone confidentiality, please contact the District Clinical Counseling Team who can connect you with a clinical counselor on any ACC campus:  (512) 223-2616, or to schedule online:  https://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling . 

While students are not required to report, they are encouraged to contact the Compliance Office for resources and options:  Charlene Buckley, District Title IX Officer, (512) 223-7964; compliance@austincc.edu .

If a student makes a report to a faculty member, the faculty member will contact the District Title IX Officer for follow-up.

Student Complaints

A defined process applies to complaints about an instructor or other college employee. You are encouraged to discuss concerns and complaints with college personnel and should expect a timely and appropriate response. When possible, students should first address their concerns through informal conferences with those immediately involved; formal due process is available when informal resolution cannot be achieved.

Student complaints may include (but are not limited to) issues regarding classroom instruction, college services and offices on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or disability.

Further information about the complaints process, including the form used to submit complaints, is available at: http://www.austincc.edu/students/students-rights-and-responsibilities/student-complaint-procedures

Statement on Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects confidentiality of students’ educational records. Grades cannot be provided by faculty over the phone, by e-mail, or to a fellow student. Grades will be posted on Blackboard.

Safety Statement

Health and safety are of paramount importance in classrooms, laboratories, and field activities. Students are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies.  Emergency Procedures posters and Campus Safety Plans are posted in each classroom and should be reviewed at the beginning of each semester.  All incidents (injuries/illness/fire/property damage/near miss) should be immediately reported to the course instructor. Additional information about safety procedures and how to sign up to be notified in case of an emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency

Everyone is expected to conduct themselves professionally with respect and courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual may be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity and will be referred to the Dean of Student Services for disciplinary action.

In the event of disruption of normal classroom activities due to an emergency situation or a continuing illness outbreak, the format for this course may be modified to enable completion of the course. In that event, students will be provided an addendum to the class syllabus that will supersede the original version.

Campus Carry

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy. 

It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 512-223-7999.   Please refer to the concealed handgun policy online at http://austincc.edu/campuscarry

Discrimination Prohibited

The College seeks to maintain an educational environment free from any form of discrimination or harassment including but not limited to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.

Faculty at the College are required to report concerns regarding sexual misconduct (including all forms of sexual harassment and sex and gender-based discrimination) to the Manager of Title IX/Title VI/ADA Compliance.  Licensed clinical counselors are available across the District and serve as confidential resources for students.

Additional information about Title VI, Title IX, and ADA compliance can be found in the ACC Compliance Resource Guide available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o55xINAWNvTYgI-fs-JbDyuaMFDNvAjz/view

Use of ACC email

All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify students of any college- related emergencies using this account. Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about ACC email accounts, including instructions for accessing it, are available at:  http://www.austincc.edu/help/accmail/questions-and-answers

Use of the Testing Center

All testing is currently online.  While campuses are closed, exams for courses will be online tests that students can take from home.  For more information about online testing at ACC, visit the Online Testing resource page: https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/acconline/testing.

Pass/No-Pass

ACC has temporarily implemented a Pass/No Pass option for grading.  Students are permitted (but not required) to convert any course sections to Pass/No-Pass grading. The following procedures will apply.  After receiving their grade for the semester, students will have until {insert date] to elect Pass/No-Pass grading.  Only grades of C or better in a course may be converted to P (Pass). Grades of D and F may be converted to NP (No-Pass).  All courses for which students receive passing (P) grades will count toward ACC degree requirements, which may override some departmental or college policies.  A grade of Pass/No-pass will not count toward a student's grade point average (GPA); however a grade of Pass will count toward earned semester hours. Students should consider the possible implications of electing the Pass/No-Pass option (e.g., on course transfer, GPA calculations, financial aid, etc.).  Academic transcripts will have a note added indicating the Pass/No Pass grading option is due to the Corona-virus pandemic.

Student Support

ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of opportunities and services.  Information on these campus services and resources is available at  http://www.austincc.edu/students.  A comprehensive array of student support services is available online at:

https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support

Student Accessibility Services

Students with documented disabilities who need academic or other accommodations must request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   SAS offices are located at each major campus.  Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three weeks before the start of the semester; otherwise, the provision of accommodations may be delayed.  Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must provide the instructor with the document titled “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from SAS before accommodations will be provided. Accommodations will not be provided retroactively.  Arrangements by the instructor for academic accommodations can only be made after he or she receives the “Notice of Approved Accommodations” from the student.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at https://www.austincc.edu/offices/student-accessibility-services-and-assistive-technology

Academic Support

ACC offers academic support services on all of its campuses. These services, which include online tutoring, academic coaching, and supplemental instruction, are free to enrolled ACC students. Tutors are available in a variety of subjects ranging from accounting to pharmacology. Students may receive these services on both a drop-in and referral basis. 

An online tutor request can be made here:

https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/online-tutoring-request/

Additional tutoring information can be found here:

austincc.edu/onlinetutoring

Library Services

ACC has a full-service library at each of its campuses to support ACC courses and programs and to provide students with research and assignment assistance from expert faculty librarians.  ACC students have full rights and privileges to access Library Services online 24/7 via the ACC Library website and students can use their ACCeID logins to access all online materials, including ebooks, articles from library databases, and streaming videos.   ACC Libraries also provide an “Ask a Librarian” service, which allows students to reach a librarian 24/7 through online chat “live.”  Faculty librarians are also available via email and phone seven days a week during hours of operation. Visit:

1. ·      Library Website: http://library.austincc.edu
2. ·      Ask a Librarian: https://library.austincc.edu/help/ask.php
3. ·      Library Hours of Operation by Location: https://library.austincc.edu/loc/
4. ·      Email: library@austincc.edu

In partnership with ACC’s Student Support Center, ACC Libraries also maintain a limited collection of textbooks for students (made available by Student Affairs) to borrow. Priority access to the textbook collection is given to students receiving assistance. More information is available on the ACC website by searching “Student Support Center Textbook Collection.”

Student Organizations

ACC has over seventy student organizations, offering a variety of cultural, academic, vocational, and social opportunities.  They provide a chance to meet with other students who have the same interests, engage in service-learning, participate in intramural sports, gain valuable field experience related to career goals, and much else.  Student Life coordinates many of these activities, and additional information is available at http://sites.austincc.edu/sl/.

Personal Support

Resources to support students are available at every campus. To learn more, ask your professor or visit the campus Support Center. All resources and services are free and confidential. Some examples include, among others:

1. ·      Food resources including community pantries and bank drives can be found here:
2. ·      https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now
3. ·      Assistance with childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support Center:  http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center.
4. ·      The Student Emergency Fund can help with unexpected expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more classes: http://www.austincc.edu/SEF.
5. ·      Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the Student Money Management Office: http://sites.austincc.edu/money/.  
6. ·      A full listing of services for student parents is available at: https://www.austincc.edu/students/child-care
7. ·      The CARES Act Student Aid will help eligible students pay expenses related to COVID-19: 
8. ·      https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/cares-act-student-aid.   

Mental health counseling services are available throughout the ACC Student Services District to address personal and or mental health concerns: http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling .

If you are struggling with a mental health or personal crisis, call one of the following numbers to connect with resources for help. However if you are afraid that you might hurt yourself or someone else, call 911 immediately.

·       Free Crisis Hotline Numbers:

• Austin / Travis County 24 hour Crisis & Suicide hotline: 512-472-HELP (4357)
• The Williamson County 24 hour Crisis hotline: 1-800-841-1255
• Bastrop County Family Crisis Center hotline: 1-888-311-7755
• Hays County 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 1-877-466-0660
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: Text “home” to 741741

o   Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline:   1-800-662-HELP (4357)

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline:1-800-950-NAMI (626

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) Policy

Introduction

In this course, Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) tools are permitted as creative aids for the development of your visual work. When used thoughtfully and ethically, GAI can support ideation, composition development, and technical exploration. However, their use must remain within the parameters outlined below.

Rationale

GAI is allowed in this course as a tool to support your creative process—not replace it. You are encouraged to explore how AI can expand your thinking, but the final visual outcomes must reflect your own conceptual direction, authorship, and originality. This policy ensures that students use GAI responsibly, ethically, and in compliance with copyright law.

Definition of GAI

GAI (Generative Artificial Intelligence) refers to tools or platforms that can create content—such as text, images, or code—using machine learning models trained on vast datasets. In the context of this course, GAI includes tools like DALL·E, Midjourney, Adobe Firefly, or similar programs that generate visual imagery based on user input.

Resources

If you choose to use GAI tools, the following are recommended resources to support ethical and effective use:

• OpenAI’s Use Case Guidelines

• DALL·E User Guidelines

• Adobe Firefly Ethics Page: https://www.adobe.com/sensei/generative-ai/firefly.html

• Campus Library or Writing Center (for help citing AI tools or integrating them into your work responsibly)

Assessment

GAI-generated content may be used during the brainstorming, sketching, or planning phases of a visual project. However, students must document and reflect on how GAI was used, and final submissions must demonstrate significant personal authorship. Assessment will focus on the originality, craftsmanship, and creative process evident in the final work—not solely on the output of AI.

You may be asked to submit:

• Screenshots or prompts used with AI tools

• Written reflection describing how the tool supported your work

Penalties

Misuse of GAI—including plagiarism, copyright infringement, or submitting AI-generated work as if it were entirely your own—will be treated as academic dishonesty. This includes:

• Passing off GAI output as your original work without modification or attribution

• Using copyrighted source material without permission

Penalties may include:

• Deduction of assignment grades

• Failure of the assignment

• Further academic review according to institutional policy

Exceptions

Exceptions may be granted for students with documented accessibility accommodations, or for those proposing research-based use of AI as a subject of their final project. All exceptions must be approved in writing by the instructor in advance.

Usage Permissions

• Prohibited:

  • Submitting unmodified AI-generated images as final artwork

  • Using GAI to replicate the style of a specific living artist without permission

  • Using copyrighted materials as prompts or training input

• Permitted:

  • Using GAI as a brainstorming or sketching tool

  • Exploring variations of your ideas before developing original work by hand or digitally

  • Including AI-generated elements that are heavily modified, clearly credited, and incorporated into a broader original composition

• Required:

  • Clearly documenting your use of GAI in process materials when relevant

  • Engaging in critical reflection on the ethical implications of AI in art as part of class discussions or assignments