SYLLABUS

North Cobb High School

Visual Arts Comprehensive FALL 2016
INSTRUCTOR- Mrs. Dowling
E-Mail susan.dowling@cobbk12.org

Course Description:
Welcome to Visual Art Comprehension. North Cobb High School visual
arts course is a combination of the four components of art education:
production, criticism, history and aesthetics. Students will use creative
problem solving and critical thinking to complete projects.
This course introduces the elements of art, the principles of design,
and the relationship of the visual arts to daily living. The course is
designed to explore fundamental art processes, teach basic art skills
and survey historical art concepts.
The goal for the student is to proficiently produce artwork, acquire
knowledge of past and present artists, art movements/contributions,
and understand the meaning and value of various art forms.
Purpose:
The Visual Art Comprehensive course is a prerequisite course for all
other art classes.
To provide a sequential, cumulative program of art concepts and skills.
To provide students the opportunity to engage in higher levels of
thinking.
To promote interdisciplinary art experiences, which help students,
integrate ideas, concepts and processes.
Meaning and Creative Thinking:
The student engages in the creative process, finds and solves problems
and pursues open-ended inquiry through the production of artwork.
The student develops aesthetic understanding through the
examination of his/her own art and the artwork of others.
Instructional Goals:
select and safely use tools, technology and media to express ideas.
work through sequential stages and processes to exhibit technical
skills and craftsmanship.
develop compositions based on the elements and principles of
design.
investigate art careers.
explore aesthetics.
exhibit an expanded use and understanding of the art vocabulary.

 apply the critical process, Feldmans Theory (describe, analyze,

interpret and evaluate) artwork.
Grades:
Student assessments will be based on Georgia State Standards for this
course and the criteria outline for each assignment. Rubrics will be
used to communicate not calculate. Grade CATEGORIES & TITLES are
based on the Georgia State Standards as outlined and approved by the
Georgia State Board of Education:
50%

10%

10%

5%

Production
Meaning
&
Creative
Thinking

Contextual
Understanding

Assessment
&
Reflection

5%

Connections

20%

Final Exam

Understanding
&
Application of SkillBased Processes
Solving problems
through openended inquiry

Identifying
&
Discussion of
Cultural and
Historical events

Analyzing
&
Critiquing

Application of
knowledge

Multiple Choice

Though production of artworks;

students skills & techniques will be
assessed based on their level of maste
& quality of craftsmanship.
Through documentation of creative
problem solving methods; students
planning & adaptation skills will be
assessed based on of their efforts to
conceptualize, assess & modify their
plans for development and production
Through quizzes and written essays;
students will be assessed on their
abilities to accurately recall & explain
the role of art/artifacts as a visual reco
of humankinds history, and to
communicate their understanding of
other cultures use of styles &
techniques.
Through large group, small group, & se
assessments, (in both oral & in written
formats); students will be evaluated
based on their fluency (effective
communication) when analyzing the qual
of artworks use of techniques &
composition to convey meaning.
Though production of artworks,
discussions, written essays, quizzes,
analysis, & critiques; students will be
assessed on their ability to recognize
connect & apply, their knowledge of
other disciplines in order to enhance
their understanding & production of
artworks.
20% mandated by Cobb County for a
final exams

Students will be graded on the following scale:

Exceeds= Extremely competent & skilled, shows mastery= 95%
Proficient= Highly competent & skilled, with time and practice will show
mastery = 90%
Emerging= Evolving, showing new or improved development = 85%
Needs Improving=Very little evidence of understanding or skill building =
75%
Unsatisfactory= Not meeting expectations or requirements = 74% or
lower
0 (the number zero) will be given for any assignments not turned in on the
due date, however, if it is for a long term assignment, a completed
assignments turned in after the due date may earn credit, however, a
more rigorous standard may be applied. (Legal absences are excluded
from this policy)
Class Rules and Consequences:
As a member of this class I will do everything I can to promote the learning,
safety and respect of myself and others, by accepting my responsibilities as
outlined below:
NOTE: If you choose to break the code of conduct, the result
may be:
Change seats
Student/Teacher conference
Contacting a parent or guardian by phone or e-mail
Office referral
Other appropriate action as determined by the teacher
All rules as noted in the North Cobb High School handbook and
policy manual and the Cobb County J Policies for students at
www.Cobbk12.org are expected for students to know and follow.
Required Materials:
9x12 Sketchbook
Three-ring binder (for handouts)
Notebook paper
Pencils
Erasers
Color pencils
Art pencils- 6B, 2H, HB, 2H, 4H, 6H
All students will be assigned an art bin to keep supplies in the art
room.

Please read the syllabus and expectations

of the class with your child.
The following is a list of expectations that every student will have:

Be responsible for their own behavior and actions in art

Complete all assignments
Be responsible for all clean up
Proper use of all materials
Safe use of all materials
Manners and respectful language to other students and all adults
Proper clothing for messy projects (all though art aprons are
provided some projects use paint or other materials that could
stain clothing)
Please bring the required materials on the supply list the first
week of school

Understanding each student has different artistic abilities and

knowledge students will be expected to try each project and attempt a
best effort. In every project there is a growing curve and knew ideas
will be introduced. Each student is expected to give 100% even if it is
a hard project for the student. Creativity and process is a large part of
the production in art and all students are expected to take advantage
of their unique talents and use original ideas in art.
I have read and understand the expectations in the syllabus.
Student Signature: ______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: _______________________________________

PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN BY FRIDAY