INSTRUCTOR Professor Andrew Bucksbarg
OFFICE HOURS Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-5 PM or by appointment , RTV #318

ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS AND OFFICE HOURS
Lindsay Ems, RTV 240F
Thursdays 4-5PM
Fridays 10-11AM

Ji Won Kim, RTV 240F
Tuesdays 11:15AM-12:15PM
Fridays 11AM-12PM

MEETING TIMES Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
LOCATION TV 251

EMAIL abucksba(at)indiana(dot)edu

“All of a sudden it hit me---if there was such a thing as composing music, there could be such a thing as composing motion. After all, there are melodic figures, why can't there be figures of motion?” -Len Lye

“We perceive rhythm in three different ways.  There’s rhythm we can hear, rhythm we can see, and rhythm we can feel.” -Bruce Block

OVERVIEW
In this seminar we will look at a variety of creative and experimental practices of music video, visual music, VJing, animation, film, video, advertisements, interactive music video, websites and live A/V performances in order to learn about the connections of sound and the moving image. Along the way, we will pick up knowledge of key persons, as well as the techniques they use and how these practices filter down into mass media. The seminar will focus on YOUR participation and interaction in learning. You will be expected to share your excitement, knowledge and expertise with your peers.

OBJECTIVES
• Develop a language related to experiments in music video and visual music through readings, discussions and the viewing of work.

• Explore creative/art experiments in film, video and animation toward an appreciation of both form, as well as how such practices feed into commercial projects, such as advertising and entertainment.

• Explore the early work of pioneers of music video, visual music, experimental film, animation and video, VJing and live audio-visual performance.

•Bring your experience, interests and expertise into discussions about the creative/design, social, political and cultural aspects of music video.

WORK
Unless otherwise noted in the criteria for assignments and projects, etc. all work must be YOUR OWN or properly cited. If you have questions regarding this make sure you talk to the professor. Please review what constitutes academic misconduct here- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html

Readings: Bruce Block book + various readings linked on the calendar

Viewings: Music videos and visual musics in class and online

Seminar: Discussion of readings and work (this is a large factor in grade)

Credited work-
Reading Questions/Discussion Points (2pts each, approximately 58 pts)
You will prepare 3-5 discussion points and/or questions for each seminar, based on readings and work. These are meant to share and foster discussion. See "Grading" below for how these will be evaluated.

Attendance (1 pts per seminar, 30 pts)

Discussion Participation (15 pts)

Four 20 Point Quizzes (80 pts)

Two to four 5 point Pop Quizzes or Response Essays over reading, as needed (approximately 20 pts)

Total: approximately 203 pts

Please schedule/reserve 3-6 hours a week for reviewing what we have covered in class as well as time for working on readings and discussion notes. 

REQUIRED READINGS
PDFs on the calendar

The Visual Story, Second Edition: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media (Paperback)
by Bruce Block
Second Edition, 2008
ISBN-10: 0240807790
ISBN-13: 978-0240807799

GRADING
Discussion Points/Questions will be evaluated thus-

√ + (check plus) = Great! Full credit
√ (check) = Good work! Full credit
√ - (check minus) = What happened? Half or no credit, see Prof. A
0 = Not completed. No credit, see Prof. A

Grade Scale %-
A+ 100
A 95-99
A- 90-94
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0-59

Late or incomplete work is NOT accepted. Provision is made under the excused absence policy below. 

Discussion questions, etc. are due at the beginning of class.

ATTENDANCE 
Attendance will be recorded.  If you know you need to miss class you are responsible to make PRIOR arrangements with the instructor.

You have two unexcused absences, excused absences require documentation.

You will get one point for each day you attend class and none for each day you don't.   An absence of absences will have a positive effect on your grade.  Excessive absences will have a negative effect on your learning, your grade and could potentially cause course failure (or your employer fires you).

Remember, coming in late is disruptive to the seminar. Excessive lateness will be counted as unexcused absences.

Special arrangements can be made for IU related activities or things like job interviews.

Information about observing religious holidays can be found at- http://www.indiana.edu/~deanfac/download/rel_obs.html#holreq

COURSE CONDUCT
You may use a laptop for seminar related activities, however class time is NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT, REPEAT NOT to be used checking email or surfing the web.  AIs and professor will note and contact you if this is a problem. In extreme cases this can be considered academic misconduct. Please put your mobile device on vibrate. You can read text messages quickly and discretely, however class time is not meant for sending texts, emails, etc.

Discussion can be exciting and challenging, however please be respectful of the great diversity of your peers and the "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" of others.

As members of the class organism, we abide by the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct.  Please refer to this site for any questions you may have- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html

DISCLAIMER
I am available to meet with you to discuss class work, policies or other questions and concerns you may have during office hours and by appointment.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the course syllabus, calendar and policy. Please be sure to read this fine print.