Course Syllabus

NAS 34 Native American Studio Fall 2019

Prof. H. J. Tsinhnahjinnie (Sis-na-jinnie)

Office Hours: Hart Hall 1401 • Monday 12-2pm or by appointment

Course Description: Studio projects to be influenced by contemporary and traditional Native American arts. Examples of designs and media presented in lectures will be of Indigenous origin. The class will also visit the Cache Creek Conservancy, and the Raptor Center.  Introduction to screen printing with an emphasis on photo emulsion/textile printing.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To introduce students to several modes of artistic expression in the screen printing processes of printmaking. Students will become familiar with the technical aspects of screen printing, the use of water based media and develop a skilled work ethic in the implementation of the formal aspects of the process. This course will survey Native American & Indigenous printmakers and we will visit the Cache Creek Conservancy, and the Raptor Center to influence design and content. Students are expected to work outside of class time during the week and/or weekends and can anticipate an additional 6 hours or more per week (prep/research/printing.)

To successfully complete this class you must demonstrate the ability to-

• Demonstrate knowledge of screen printing processes, film positives/photo emulsion.
• Command of the technical aspects of processes covered.
• Ability to mix and apply water based inks as well as photographic emulsion.
• Demonstrate basic color theory concepts and terminology in the sequencing of colored layers in compositional space.
• Awareness of Native American & Indigenous printmakers.
• Speak articulately and critically about your work and the work of others.
• Utilize the basics of a Graphic program to finish designs (i.e. Krita, photoshop, illustrator)

COURSE POLICIES:

• Attendance: The course is structured around a series of lectures, demonstrations, critiques and studio production with a mandatory attendance policy. Absences in excess of two will result in a final grade reduction. If an absence is unavoidable, students should inform the instructor in writing before class, if the absence is due to medical issues, documentation must be provided.
• Tardiness: Attending class on time, and staying the duration of class is expected. Three accumulations of attending class late or leaving before the instructor has dismissed the class will be considered as an absence.
• Preparedness: Being prepared to participate in class upon arrival is expected. Arriving unprepared to utilize class time effectively will result in being marked absent.
• Deadlines: Due dates for both in-progress peer critiques as well as final group critiques are firm. Late work in any form, not completed at the time of a peer or group critique will be graded down 25% and will not be accepted for evaluation beyond one week past the due date.

STUDIO USE POLICY: 15-20 min. before the end of class, clean up will begin. The studio is a shared space, It is imperative to keep it clean. Never leave the studio without cleaning up your area. Clean up crews will be assigned, neglecting clean up of space, screens, inks, etc. Proper clean up is very important, if clean up is not followed through points will be deducted from project.

All Required Reading to be posted online pdfs (canvas):

Water-based Inks: A Screen Printers’ Manual for Studio and Classroom, by Lois Johnson & Hester Stinnett,

Grading:     3 projects, Participation/Attendance

20%     Project #1 Group project, (subject tbd) one color

20%     Project #2 Migrating Birds, team of three, two color printed cotton fabric

25%     Project #3 Cache Creek Conservancy / Indigenous Plants, min. three color print on t-shirts

25%     Participation/Attendance

10%     Clean up

Total 100%

Syllabus subject to change by Professor, changes will be posted on Canvas.