Since 1986 High has taught video art and documentary production and theory at institutions and universities including the School of Visual Arts, New York University, The School of Art at Cooper Union, Princeton University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The following descriptions are some courses developed at RPI over the last six years.
2002-07 RENSELLAER POLYTECHNIC ARTS DEPARTMENT:
Video Topics: Tools
	Tools is an upper level video course investigating alternative imaging devices and processing systems. The class will analyze the use and cultural context of alternative modes of video production including but not limited to: software emulation, VJ-ing, hardware hacking and using non-traditional imaging devices. As a class we will look into the history, politics and practice of these modes of media art production will be considered. Students will produce videos using material shot from alternative cameras and process material using non-traditional systems. Presentations will also be expected in an area of research of student’s choosing.
Video: Big Tools/Small Tools: Alternative Imaging
	An upper level video course investigating alternative imaging recording devices. Tracking the use of cameras in public and personal spaces (such as surveillance cameras, spy equipment, medical imaging techniques, etc.) as a class we will look into the history, politics and practice of bugging, profiling, and watching. Students will produce videos using material shot from alternative cameras (big and small) as well as present an area of research of their choosing.
Video Topics: Dis-ease
	“Disease” is an upper level video production/topics course looking at the notion of “dis/ease” and how issues of the body have been dealt with in contemporary video art (single channel and video installation). The various permutations of “disease” – used as a metaphor – will navigate controversial areas such as: epidemic; cyborgs and body modification; gender/transgender and its relation to “care”; hysteria and madness; and transgressions of the spirit.
Rethinking Documentary
	A production course investigating documentary or non-fiction film/video. Taking a broad look at what defines “documentary” media, this course will incorporate criticism with production. Looking at such questions as truth versus fiction, personal responsibility, community involvement, the efficacy of video intervention and the authority of mass media, students will be asked to produce a range of video works questioning conventional documentary styles, using radical and interventionist techniques. Along side this production, students will view and theorize about traditional documentary works including ethnographic films, cinema verité, propaganda films, but also “home movies,” reality TV, tabloid news, autobiographic and activist videos.
Advanced Post-Production: Speed & Random Access
	This course is an advanced video post-production course, studying editing conventions and digital techniques through both theory and practice. Students will explore film structures and various editing approaches to organizing real time materials: continuity, discontinuity; dreaming and real life; and the criteria of a good cut. Traditional and experimental editing styles, audio sweetening, and DVD production will make up the bulk of the class work. There will be in-class screenings of films/videos to explore editing samples and readings about the craft of editing.
Strategic Manifesto: Curatorial Practices
	Strategic Manifesto: Curatorial Practices is a graduate level course to further the development of curatorial skills that will emphasize research, writing and presentation. Students choose a theme for a show and produce a lecture/presentation on that topic, along with a curatorial plan for the exhibition including programming decisions, schedule and budget planning. Each student’s plan for an exhibition will be reviewed for exhibition. The class will make field trips to NYC, Albany, Saratoga Springs and other places to visit various art galleries, museums and arts venues and to meet with curators and discuss methodology for choosing and organizing shows.
Strategic Manifesto: Design
	Strategic Manifesto Design is a graduate level course focusing on the development of essay writing skills, creative use of graphic design and the production of print publications. The goal of the semester’s course work is the limited edition publication of a zine for release and distribution. Students will develop the concept of a publication by reviewing the historic use of photomontage, creative design and ingenious distribution of printed materials throughout history. They will collectively choose a theme by which to fuse the publication. Each student will write a contributing article and assist in designing the overall articulation of the publication. Grad Graphic Facilities will be used for all image/text production.