Final Project Guidelines

Please read the following guidelines (which should more properly be called commandments, since they're not optional) carefully. Submissions missing the concept essay and/or the bibliography will not be accepted. The project and its other components are worth 20% of your grade. If you choose to undertake this assignment, do so seriously, and approach it professionally. The project, process essay, and annotated bibliography are due at the beginning of class week 10. NO LATE WORK CAN BE ACCEPTED.

All projects must be accompanied by the following:

pocket folder (in which the 8.5" x 11" image and support materials are contained); do not mount your solution. The mobile or sculpture options must be included as photographs in the folder, although you should also bring them to class to show everyone.

research consisting of a properly formatted, annotated bibliography of at least three high-quality sources from a variety of media. Use MLA documentation style and include a short paragraph (annotation) with each entry in which you assess its value to your research. Include photocopies of your sources or printouts of websites, etc. if you have them (this will help me to assess the quality of your sources and will save me the work of looking them up when I have questions). Consult the Research Resources page for advice and information on how to proceed with this segment of the assignment. Feel free to bring me sources during office hours or e-mail for help with documentation as well.

concept statement consisting of a short essay (2-3 pages, 12 pt. font, double-spaced; complete format instructions can be found on the style guide) in which you account for your design. Why did you choose the period, the style, etc., how did you go about solving the problem, and what do you think about what you accomplished? Answering these questions should help you to develop the essay, in which you must be able to articulate the process of conceptual development and execution. Please do not encase written materials in plastic. You may, however, place the project itself in a plastic sleeve for protection.

I will not accept handwritten copy for any part of this assignment. Basic style requirements include double-spacing, one-inch margins, a ten- or twelve-point readable font, a descriptive title, and a cover sheet that includes your name, the name of the course (GE 3004: Art History 2), the title of your essay (not "Research Essay"), and the date you submit the project. For the full range of style requirements, consult my style guide.

source image(s): Include black and white photocopies or thumbnails of any works of art you used in your design, and be sure to note their sources on your bibliography.

visual component (your image, 8.5 by 11 inches, or an 8.5 by 11 inch color photo of the project)

Each of the project options will engage you in several activities designed to enhance both your academic and creative skills. The object of each is to help you understand the movements we have studied, by requiring you to employ appropriate techniques and to engage in the principles that underlie the chosen movement or that motivate the chosen artist. Approach the assignment carefully, pay attention to the guidelines, and have fun. None of these requires more than a few of hours to execute with the appropriate level of technical or hand skills; most of your time should be spent on research and conceptual development. Keep sketches, thumbnails, and print-outs of sources in your workbook so you have them handy if questions arise.