Guidelines for Course Papers
Hands on projects are operative throughout the course of the term. At the beginning of the term they are directed either by the instructor or by guest artist/lecturers. By about one-third of the way into the term, students begin to direct them. These exercises are intended to offer students the opportunity to direct the exploration of an idea/action with their classmates for 20-30 minutes. Each presentation requires that the student research an individual/organization in the arts and social change movement whose work they find stimulating. Students outline their intent in a email to the instructor who responds with questions/suggestions. Students then submit a more robust plan for the activity and again receive feedback. On the day of the activity, they direct the session and then engage in further discussion with their peers. Finally, they provide a handout including both the outline of their activity and further resources for research on the individual/organization. In this way, the catalogue of resources grows for all students in the class. This exercise provides a time-limited opportunity for students to direct an arts for change focused activity. Reports from past students suggest that they have employed hands on exercises in a number of other contexts: summer camps, after school programs, community meetings, graduate school classes, etc.
Guidelines for Hands On Project (Twenty to Thirty minute in class presentation)
These will be scheduled throughout the term.
Identify an artist working in any medium(s) whose work moves you.
- Research and be ready to share in a ten to fifteen minute oral presentation:
- Information on their path in the field(s) to this point in time
- aspects from their process or production that you find most impactful (can include images, sound, etc.)
- reflections on how they employ their art for social change
- Create a ten to fifteen minute hands-on experience we can try out in class based on some aspect of this person's history, process, or work.
- Prepare and bring to your presentation a one-page hand out for each of your colleagues that includes a brief biography and resource guide so they may learn more about this artist and his/her work after leaving class.
