ART 381

SURVEY OF ART HISTORY I

COURSE SYLLABUS

FALL, 2001

 

I.                   ART 381; SURVEY OF ART HISTORY I , 3 credit hours

II.                FALL , 2001

INSTRUCTOR: ALEX BUCKLAND

OFFICE  HOURS:

 

 

OFFICE: #4 KRESGE            PHONE: ext. 6381 (Please leave a message on

                                                Voice mail)

                                                E-mail: abuckland@lmunet.edu

III.             COURSE PREREQUISITES/CO-REQUISITES / RECOMMENDED

ANTECEDENTS:

None

IV.              COURSE DESCRIPTION / COURSE GOALS:

The major styles and achievements in the visual art of Western civilization from the prehistoric era to the Renaissance. It is the goal of this course to develop in students:

1.      An appreciation of art through the critical understanding of particular           works of art and period styles.

2.      The ability to identify a particular work of art as representative of a particular style.

3.      The ability to formulate and defend personal judgments about art.

 

V.                 RELATIONSHIP TO CONTENT AREA KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Art 381 is designed to enable students to understand major historical styles and periods and understand how particular works of art are influenced by many factors including the culture, time, and place in which the work was produced, as well as the philosophy of art held by the individual artist, group, or “school”.

Students are encouraged to analyze works of art not only in terms of their historical and philosophical backgrounds, but also in terms of their formal properties and aesthetic effect. In addition, students should come to understand that the making of a work of art, the viewer’s response to it, the criticism that the work receives, and its ultimate place in art history are all interrelated.

VI.              TEXT:

Art History,2nd Edition; Stokstad, Marilyn ; Harry N. Abrams, Inc., and Prentiss Hall, Inc., Publishers ; 2001

            COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate:

1.      The ability to identify examples of major stylistic periods, from the prehistoric era to the Renaissance.

2.      The ability to identify the major factors contributing to the unique character of all styles and periods studied in this course.

3.      An understanding of the content and cultural background of particulaar works of art.

4.      An understanding of the various philosophies of art held by artists, groups, or “schools”.

5.      The ability to analyze individual works of art according to their formal and aesthetic properties.

6.      The ability to identify particular examples of all styles studied in terms of artist, medium, appropriate chronological relationship, and artistic significance.

7.      The ability to compare and contrast individual works of art as well as major periods and styles.

8.      The ability to identify a particular work of art and discuss its characteristics relative to the period in which it was produced.

9.      A basic understanding of the meaning and significance of related terminology.

VII.           OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT / UNITS OF INSTRUCTION:

Week of:                                 Topic:                                                  Assignment:

Aug.20                         Course Introduction     

                                    Fundamental concepts / vocabulary            Text, Introduction/ Starter Kit

                                                                                                           

Aug.27                                     Prehistoric Era                                                Text, Ch.1

                                                Mesopotamian art                               Text, Ch.2

Sept.03                                    Ancient Egyptian art                              Text, Ch.3

 

Sept.10                                    Ancient Egyptian art(cont.)

                                                Aegean art                                            Text, Ch.4

Sept.17                                    Greek art                                            Text, Ch.5

 

Sept.24                                    Greek art (cont.)

                                    Summary and review for Test

Oct. 01                                                      Test I, Tuesday, Oct.2

 

Oct.08                                      Review and discuss test results

                                                Etruscan art                                         Text, Ch.6

 

Oct.15                                     Roman art

Oct.22                                     Roman art (cont.)

                                                Early Christian / Byzantine art            Text, Ch.7

            >>>>>>FIRST ARTICLE SUMMARY DUE THIS WEEK<<<<<<

 

Oct.29                                     Early Christian / Byzantine art(cont.)

The Middle Ages;

                                                Early Medieval period                          Text, Ch.14

Nov.05                                                Early Medieval period(cont.)

Romanesque period                                    Text, Ch.15

Nov.12                                                Romanesque period(cont.)

                                                Gothic period                                      Text, Ch.16

 

 

Nov.19                                                Gothic period(cont.)                                       

 

Nov.26                                                Summary and review for Test II

                                                Test II, Thursday, Nov.29           

           

Dec.03                                     Review and discuss test results

                                                Summary and review for final exam

            >>>>>SECOND ARTICLE SUMMARY DUE THIS WEEK<<<<<

 

Dec.10                                     Final Exam Week

                                                Final Exam, Thursday, Dec.14, 8:00-10:00 A.M.                            

 

VIII.        REQUIRED READINGS:

 

Each student is required to read and summarize at least two articles pertaining to specific topics studied in this course. The following are examples of suitable periodicals, but there are other good sources (including the internet):

 

            TIME                                                   THE ATLANTIC

            NEWSWEEK                                     NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

            SMITHSONIAN                              ART NEWS

 

IX.              *SUGGESTED READINGS / BIBLIOGRAPHY:

 

Fleming, William, Arts and Ideas

 

Janson,H.W., History of Art

 

Read, Herbert, The Meaning of Art

 

___________ Art and Society

 

Spenser, Harold, ed., Readings in Art History, Vol. 2, Ancient Egypt through the

Middle Ages

(* On reserve at front desk, Library)

 

X.                 METHODS OF INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING:

 

Small group discussions and activities, journals, inquiry, aesthetic scanning / critical analysis, slides and readings.

 

XI.              COURSE REQUIREMENTS / METHODS OF ASSESSMENT / EVALUATION / DOCUMENTATION:

 

Two tests, two article summaries, a journal, a set of flashcards, and a comprehensive final exam are required in this course:

 

            Two tests                             50%

            Two article summaries            10%

            Journal                                     10%

            Flashcards                               05%

            Final Exam                            25%

 

GRADING SCALE:

93-100                                    A

                                    91-92                           A-

89-90                                    B+

83-88                                    B

81-82                                    B-

79-80                                    C+

73-78                                    C

71-72                                    C-

69-70                                    D+

63-68                                    D

61-62                                    D-

60 and below                        F                                   

 

            ABSENCE POLICY:

 

            Attendance at all classes is required, however 2 absences will be allowed without            

Penalty. The student is strongly urged to reserve these allowed absences for        unavoidable or emergency situations, More than the allowed 2 absences can result in a lowering of the final grade, at the discretion of the instructor.

The student must be in class and  ready to begin by or before the completion of the roll call, to be counted present. Perfect attendance will be rewarded with 15 extra points, added to the total test score before averaging.

 

MAKE-UP TESTS:

 

Make-up tests will be given ONLY in extreme cases when missing a test is ABSOLUTELY UNAVOIDABLE. The student must provide documentation , in writing, of the absolute IMPOSSIBILITY of her / his attendance at the test in question.

 

XII.           DATE OF REVISION:

 

August, 2001