The CSUN Art Department is committed to teaching students to experience and value visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as we as recognize the concurrent importance of perception, experimentation, innovation, and critical thinking. We encourage students to understand the history and traditions of art with their relevance to social and community concerns as well as the art of different cultures. Students are also encouraged to utilize and interact with the services, facilities and technologies offered throughout the University as well as those provided by the Art Department.

Program Outcomes:
Communication • Creativity • Critical Thought
Social Responsibility • Multidisciplinary • Ethical Practice

• Students will acquire competent knowledge and skills in various art media, concepts and methodologies.
• Students will produce a competent body of individual and collaborative work suitable for a liberal arts degree, for the local, national and global marketplace.
• Students will solve visual problems at a competent level, including understanding/application of the elements of art and principles of design.
• Students will utilize and apply critical thinking skills to communicate ideas for their intended audience at a competent level in visual, oral, and written formats.

• Acquire and apply theoretical knowledge, professional art practices, and industry specific skills.
• Demonstrate knowledge of practices and theory as applied in professional internship environment.
• Analyze, interpret, and think critically about the work of professionals and professional art related practices.
• Work collaboratively in a professional environment.

What does this mean in non-academic terms:

• Professional development for a career in Communication Design
• Client / Project experience
• 10-20 hour a week internship at an approved organization
• Portfolio development 

FOUR PATHS FOR THIS COURSE:

1. You have an internship lined up already off-campus
2. You are seeking to find an internship, but if you don’t find one in 3-4 weeks will do an independent study 
3. You will work with IntersectLA during the semester
4. You will work on an on-campus project to earn your internship credits

To those students with connections and skills who have identified an internship opportunity…congratulations!
You are almost all set. If you have secured an internship (fall, spring, or even summer), you will be able to obtain 3 units of credit. All you have to do is complete a form for your employer to verify your employment.

For students seeking an internship, the class is based on the availability of internships and students with skills and knowledge.  Due to Covid-19 our internship pool is not as available as it was in the past.

The goal of the internship class is to find an internship opportunity for students, although this may not always happen, as most businesses will require certain skills and knowledge. In the case of students enrolled in the internship class that do not have an immediate internship available, those students enrolled in the class will meet with the instructor as an Independent Study class and follow paths 2-4. 

What will students do in this situation? 

• Based on the plan they have developed together, the instructor and students will assess each portfolio based on the industry a student wants to enter
• Create a sound resume with industry-specific wording. 
• Professional and portfolio development
• The goal is, by the end of the semester, for a student to have a sound portfolio developed for a specific industry 

Please note that the instructor will be contacting students in the internship class when new opportunities are available throughout the semester. The goal is, by end of the semester, to provide an internship opportunity as the number one priority. 

Independent study courses, such as this, take into consideration the entire learning and work-habit process as well as required hours of professional development or internship time. It is up to the student to make sure to report hours and get internship hours signed off on.

Success in a course like this requires the student to be independent, mature, and follow through on expectations from CSUN as well as the internship organization, if applicable.

Students are responsible for contacting the instructor regarding issues with their internship. It is up to the student to get forms, reports, etc. signed by their internship mentors. Failure to do so can lead to receiving a “no-credit” for the course.

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

• Students are expected to devote at least 10 – 15 hours a week towards their internship, professional development, or assigned project.
• Students are responsible for missed information for our mandatory meetings and guest lectures/workshops.
• Speak with the instructor if there are any issues that deal with the internship agreement.
• The instructor will give additional feedback, explanations, and suggestions if it is needed.
• You are all required to participate in Portfolio Review at the end of the semester and apply to the Hi-Rez Exhibition if you are graduating in Spring 2021.

The University gives the authorization to lower grades for poor attendance and tardiness at the instructor’s discretion. In this situation, not following up or submitting required documents.

An incomplete is only given if the student has completed the majority of the coursework and cannot complete the remainder of the course due to a reason beyond their control.

Definitions of Academic Honesty:
CHEATING is the act or attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered.

FABRICATION is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings in an academic exercise.

FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY is intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.

PLAGIARISM is the submission of another’s work as one’s own, without adequate attribution. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of the information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks or indentation as appropriate.

Miscellaneous:
I. Don’t be shy about experimentation. I will be looking for ideas and projects that push the limits.

II. Always talk to me if there are any issues that deal with the projects. I will give you feedback, explanations, suggestions, etc. Do not be afraid to run any concept or idea by me. I want to encourage creativity and experimentation as long as you understand the fundamentals.

III. This class is intended to serve your needs. Learning requires active participation. If you have personal suggestions or requests, please do not hesitate to address them.

IV. Do not to use the computers, scanners, and printers for other class projects or work on any other projects during class time other than our own.

V. Food and drink are prohibited in computer labs.

VI. Show respect and be helpful to your fellow students. Have your work done and be present when we view the class work. Help each other in the lab. Remember, the person you help today might return the favor in the working world. Start creating your contacts now.

VII. Participate in SAGA (Student Advertising Graphics Association) here at CSUN and AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Los Angeles Chapter events. Begin to immerse yourself in the industry. It will help you greatly.

Special Needs:
Students with disabilities must register with the Center on Disabilities and complete a services agreement each semester. Staff within the Center will verify the existence of a disability based on the documentation provided and approved accommodations. Students who are approved for test-taking accommodations must provide an Alternative Testing Form to their faculty member signed by a counselor in the Center on Disabilities prior to making testing arrangements. The Center on Disabilities is located in Bayramian Hall, room 110. Staff can be reached at 818.677.2684.