ELLEN PRICE INTRODUCTION TO LONG WRITING ASSIGNMENT The long writing assignment is for Intermediate and Advanced Printmaking, a "stacked course," which contains both seniors and juniors. The objective of the course is for students to make a personal creative statement using print media, woodcut, etching or lithography. Although I have used writing informally in past courses, I have not required the students to turn in any written material before this time. Typically, most studio courses do not require written work and evaluations are based on the content and quality of student artwork. My approach to teaching emphasizes making, looking, discussion and critique, however, I believe that the infusion of writing has the potential to move students to deeper and more complex thinking. The Undergraduate Research Grant Proposal "long assignment" requires students to look at the process of making art in a different light, as well as introducing experience writing a grant proposal. I abbreviated the application instructions very slightly for the initial assignment to emphasize the creative, rather than scientific nature of the process. In creating the timeline, I broke down the parts of the proposal to allow time for individual conferences, discussion and revision. I will continue further investigation to support students in their new studio related writing efforts. SEQUENCED WRITING ASSIGNMENTS FOR STUDENTS Ellen Price Art 341, Art 441 Intermediate and Advanced Printmaking Fall 2004 Proposal Writing Project Description and Purpose: Students who may have extensive experience writing for academic purposes are less confident doing writing that involves creative work. To gain experience writing for possible funding opportunities, participants in Art 341 and Art 441 will author a proposal for a Miami University Undergraduate Research Grant. In a series of stages this semester, you will develop a proposal for a creative project involving printmaking in some way. Depending on interest for the creative project, students may decide to submit the proposal for funding. Process: For individuals who often approach their studio activity in an intuitive and spontaneous manner, positioning your art work as "research that solves a creative problem" may be initially daunting. Crafting the proposals will be approached in a series of stages to allow for ample discussion and revision. We will look at and discuss examples of successful proposals.Specific guidelines below are excerpted from the Miami University Undergraduate Research Grant application. Proposals, not to exceed five pages, should contain the following: 1) Title/AbstractAn abstract is a summary, including the purpose, expected outcomes and significance of the project 2) Introduction What work has been done by others in the area Give examples of artists or exhibitions Work done by you in the proposed area of investigation 3) Statement of Goals Lay out specific questions to address or project you plan to complete Clearly state what you intend to accomplish Include statement of creative question at issue What is the underlying motivation for the project? 4) Creative Process or Methodology (The most important section of the proposal) Outline the materials, manner and major steps to complete project Explain how your creative techniques are appropriate Expected accomplishments or results Manner of presentation of creative work Discuss how you will critique or judge the final product Timeline: August 28th- Present Proposal Writing Assignment September17th- First Draft of Title/ Abstract Due Instructor- student conference on revisions will be scheduled September 24th- First Draft of Introduction/Statement Due Instructor- student conference on revisions will be scheduled September 29th- First Draft of Creative Process/Methodology and Expected Outcomes Due Instructor- student conference on revisions will be scheduled October 1st- Revised Title/ Abstract Due October 6th- Revised Draft of Introduction/Statement Due October 8th- Revised Creative Process and Expected Outcomes Due October 11-13th- Instructor-student conference on 2nd revisions October 18th- Final copy of proposal in finished state
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