Why Have Student-Led Classes?
These collaborative assignments are designed to foster learning as a group, and to promote solidarity rather than competition in the process of learning (i.e. they prepare you for the post-collegiate work environment, where collaborative teams far outnumber individual efforts). They are also good opportunities for you to address what you see as gaps in the curriculum (i.e. are there issues that you care about that are not addressed in the class?), supplement the material presented by the instructor (perhaps media artists and collectives you are interested in?), and organize the class to participate in learning activities that you deem valuable. You are encouraged to use these classes as opportunities to contribute to your own learning process and take ownership of the class.

Student-Led Class Format
Normally, student-led classes will take place in the beginning of the second class meeting of each topic. 2-3 students will be responsible for planning a 1 hr. - 1 hr. 15 mins. session. During this time, you may:

• Assign and discuss additonal reading
• Show and discuss work by artist and collectives not covered in the first session (taught by instructor)
• Present additional material in the form of video, still images, powerpoint, web sites, etc.
• Design and implement class activities such as group discussions, workshops, etc.
  

Addition suggestions for student-led classes (time and budget permitting):

• Guest speakers
• Attending exhibitions and performances
• Attending lectures, panel discussion, conference
• Site-visits or studio visits

Process and Grading Criteria
Each group must meet with me the week before your planned class to go over your lession plan. You are responsible for collecting, preparing, and presenting any class material (readings, images, video clips, etc.) for your class. I am happy to help with things like posting readings on the web site, checking out films and videos from Pitzer A/V Services,etc., but you must tell me ahead of time what you will need for the class (i.e. a week to at least a full day before your class)

Grading for student-led classes will be based on assessment of:

• The finalized lesson plan - a 2-3 page document that contains the outline for the class, different activities (and how long they will take), lecture notes, notes of readings, etc. I am also happy to look at other related material, such as video clips and powerpoint presentations, that you have generated for the class
• Your performance during the class - including your choice of class material, your understanding of that material, your ability to lead discussion, present ideas, ask questions; additional research on the artists and works you are presenting, as well as ability to orchestrate other class activities such as group work, workshops, demos, etc.
• Feedback from other students and guests (when appropriate)
  

Here are some general guidelines on what I will be looking for in student-led classes:

• Does the class present additional material on the topic at hand? Can the new material follow-up on and add to my previous class on the topic?
• Does the class present new perspectives, opinions, and approaches to the topic? Do we, as a class, come to a more enriched understanding of this topic after this class?
• What are the different ways (there are usually more than one) the other students can learn in this class?
• What did the student leaders learn in the process of designing and researching this class?
• Is this class well-managed? Did the student-instructors prepare for it?
• What do the students, both as a group and as individuals, get out of this experience?

You will probably need to have meetings outside of class to work on this, someone should always take notes during meetings and other discussions. Students designing a class for each topic should not do a project for that topic. One grade will be given per class, each student will receive the same grade unless there are extenuating circumstances.

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