Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for ART 279A Winter 2025


Course Number:
ART 279A
Course Title:
Experimental Media: Making and Meaning
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
20
Lecture/Lab Hours:
40
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces techniques and concepts focused on the relationship between making and meaning and the creation of content driven artworks. Examines various 2-D, 3-D, and 4-D media and processes to develop and encourage creative problem solving and personal expression through art making and aesthetic choices. Introduces the skills necessary to evaluate art through critiques and by addressing historical and contemporary issues in art and its relationship to culture. Recommended: ART 117. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Solve aesthetic and conceptual problems in a creative fashion thorough appropriate use of standards, practices, tools and techniques related to successful visual communication.
  • Express connections to personal experience through art making using materials and strategies appropriate to content.
  • Assess the value and quality of personal work in relation to the practices and standards of art making.
  • Communicate through art-related vocabulary in order to engage in critical conversations about art and sculpture.
  • Manage time and production processes efficiently and with consideration for the environment and community impact.

Integrative Learning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to reflect on one’s work or competencies to make connections between course content and lived experience.

General education philosophy statement

The study of Visual Arts is essential to the development of the individual and one’s meaningful participation in society. At the heart of artistic practice is the ability to organize experience and recognize its meaning. The creation of artwork and appreciation of aesthetics is a source of great pleasure and also a valuable means to effective visual communication. Participating in Visual Arts is an important way for individuals to connect to the past and respond to the present with a stronger sense of engagement with culture and society.

Course Activities and Design

Assignments are theme based and relate to current issues, culture and personal narrative. Assignments encourage development of personal investment in artistic communication. Focus is on understanding the connection between artistic production and the creation and communication of content through the primary modalities- 2D, 3D, 4D (e.g. painting, drawing, photography, object making, installation, performance, etc.). Techniques, materials and processes utilized are student-driven and dependent on creative solutions to assigned topics.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

  • Create appropriately crafted, challenging solutions to assigned projects.
  • Develop ideas through creative research and preparatory studies.
  • Demonstrate consideration for responsible making (i.e. respect for the classroom community, studio and environment.)
  • Develop integrative learning skills through written responses to artwork.
  • Participate in class critiques and discussions.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Themes

  • Visual communication
  • Contextual Awareness

Concepts

  • Form and Aesthetic considerations
  • Content and Meaning
  • Craft, Technique and Material choices as related to Content.

Issues

  • Process and material limitations and possibilities
  • Technical choices and the creation of meaning
  • Personal expression
  • Audience

Skills

  • Understanding of the impact of different artistic modalities (2D, 3D, 4D) on audience
  • Understanding of the impact of material and technical choices on visual communication
  • Ideation and generative concepts
  • Creative research strategies
  • Installation and display strategies
  • Critique and self-reflection strategies