| Course
Information |
| Course
Description: |
The over-all purpose of this course
is to provide the student with a basic understanding, of the visual arts.
The first half of the course deals with the nature of art, the evaluation
of art, the processes and materials of art. We examine the formal elements
of design and look at a wide variety of both two & three dimensional art
to learn about the processes and tools involved in its creation.. The
second half of the semester is spent in a (more or less) chronological
study of world art in its cultural setting from the prehistoric to the
contemporary. The course is divided into 12 segments, presented as Lessons
1 - 12. Each lesson represents the equivalent of 4 hours of class time.
The student is expected to spend a minimum of 4 additional hours to
complete the assignments for each unit. Each unit must be completed before
the student may advance to the next level.
|
| Course
Objectives: |
The over-all purpose of this course
is to encourage an appreciation of the Visual Arts. This is a highly
visual course, in which we will examine and discuss many works of art. We
will be looking at, and analyzing, many images in order to gain an
understanding of their form and content. We will be analyzing the formal
structure of various works of art as well as considering them in the
context of the historical period and cultural framework in which they were
produced.
By the end of this semester, you
will be able to:
- understand and use the
vocabulary of art,
- identify some of the purposes
of art and the roles of the artist,
- distinguish the elements &
principles of design and explain how they are being used in a given work
of art,
- recognize some of the
materials and processes involved in the production of a work of art,
- discuss art in a historical
and cultural context.
|
| Prerequisites
and Corequisites: |
None |
| Course
Topics: |
Lesson 1: "What makes "art" art? "
focuses on the nature of art, the various roles that art and the artist
play their cultural settings, the response of the
Lesson 2: The Visual Elements focuses on the elements of design and the
principles of organization
Lesson 3: Two Dimensional Media: investigates the tools and processes
involved with drawing, painting, printmaking & graphic design
Lesson 4: Camera Arts and Digital Media looks at Photography, Film, &
Computer Imagery
Lesson 5: Three Dimensional Media focuses on Sculptural materials and
methods, industrial design, and introduces the materials and processes
of the 3D artist.
Lesson 6: Architectural & Environmental Design looks at basic
architectural structures used by different cultures throughout history
and discusses the relevance of architectural planning to our lives.
Lesson 7: Art in Prehistoric, Ancient & Medieval Cultures
Lesson 8: The Renaissance & the Baroque Periods
Lesson 9: Asian Art, African Art & Art from the Americas
Lesson 10: The 18th & 19th centuries.
Lesson 11: Early 20th century
Lesson 12: Mid 20th century to the contemporary |
| Specific
Course Requirements: |
|
| Textbooks,
Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements |
| Required
Textbooks: |
Please visit the Virtual Bookstore
to obtain current textbook information for this course:
http://rodp.bkstr.com |
| Supplementary
Materials: |
The
slide presentation/lectures will be on separate CD that will be packaged
with the text. |
| Hardware
Requirements: |
The following specifications are
minimum requirements:· Pentium 75 MHz processor with CD drive 32
gigabytes RAM,· · 56k modem, cable modem, DSL modem, or other suitable
communication device to access the Web, Mouse. Faster Internet
connections (56bps, DLS or cable) are preferred but the course may be
accessed on a slower modem. Since there is an audio component to the
slide presentations, you will need speakers & a sound card to utilize
the sound. The content will be included as text notes for those who do
not have sound capabilities. |
| Software
Requirements: |
see RODP minimum requirements |
| Assessment
and Grading |
| Testing
Procedures: |
20% of
your grade will be from your midterm exam, and another 20% from the final.
The midterm, given after lesson 6, will cover the information given in the
first half of the semester. The final, given after lesson 12, will cover
the 2nd ½ of the semester. Both test will be given on-line and will have
essay, short answer and multiple-choice questions. There will be a slide
identification portion. You will only be tested on slides that are in your
book. A study sheet will be posted prior to the tests. |
| Grading
Procedure: |
Your grade for the course will be
a total of 40% tests and 60% projects. You are to participate in the
on-line group discussion every week. Failure to do so will result in the
loss of one point of your final grade for any week that you do not take
part. |
| Grading
Scale: |
A=90 to 100
B= 80 to 80,
C= 70 to 79
D= 60 to 69
F= below 60
( a minus = the first two grades in the category and a plus the last
two, i.e. B- = 80 or 81 and B+ = 88 or 89. While your final grade will
not be a + or - grade, you may receive them on your projects. |
| Assignments
and Participation |
| Assignments
and Projects: |
Introductory essay
what makes "art" art? The text of this essay is to be at least 250 words
5% of final grade
Consider what you think of as
"art" and then try to explain what makes it art. If you do not know what
you think or have never considered this before, a good starting place may
be to look through your textbook and examine which pieces you respond to
and why. Think about what qualities you looking for when you select
something to hang on your wall. What do you respond to in a work of art?
Is it the way it looks, or the way it makes you feel or the ideas it
brings to mind? This essay on art is an introductory survey for me. There
are no right and wrong answers, but please think about the question
seriously. I would like an idea of what you think at the beginning of the
course, prior to any instruction, You will not get these papers back. But
everyone who responds seriously will receive the full 5 points.
Hands on
Art Project
5% of final grade
Thinking of the visual arts as a means of communication, create a work of
art that makes a statement. It can be done in any medium you like. See
what materials you might already have on hand (i.e. crayons, markers,
fabric scraps, paints or any interesting objects that would serve your
purpose.) It can be composed completely of collaged images or found
objects so that you do not need to be able to draw. The work can make a
political, or social statement or it can be of a more personal nature, but
you need to be able to verbalize the basic premise of the piece. The
purpose of this project is to experience some of the processes of creating
a work of art. Since this is a long distance course, you have a choice how
you present your artwork. You may submit "mail-art" a piece of work that
passes through the mail, or if you create something too large to send you
can document it with a camera and send a digital image by email or a photo
by regular mail. I will digitize all the images I receive so that we may
share them with the class and see if others understand what you were
trying to communicate. As in the introductory essay, all serious responses
will receive full credit..
Compare and Contrast Essay The text of this
essay is to be at least 750 words
20% of Final Grade
1. Select a work of art from the text (preferably a color image)
2. First, spend time looking thoroughly at this work of art, then write an
analysis of it. Think in terms of subject, form and content. Look for the
elements of design and the principles of organization. How is the artist
using shape, color, line, and texture? How is the piece balanced? What
rhythms are established? Do we get a sense of movement? How is he or she
using these "formal" aspects to help convey a mood, or idea? Also, you may
want to find out a little about the artists and the historical period they
represent. What do you think was the purpose for making this piece? What
do you think they were trying to say?
3. Find another work that is similar in some way. For example, two
still-life's, portraits, landscapes, or works on a similar theme, like
mother and child, the crucifixion, etc. Look carefully at both, compare,
and contrast the two. Again, think in terms of form, subject and content.
How are they similar? In what ways are they different? Be specific.
4. Respond to these works of art, both critically and personally. Do you
think they are equally successful as works of art? Why? How do they make
you feel? Do you like them? Why or why not?
Art Review
(approx. 500 words)
15% of Final Grade
Go to an art exhibition at a museum or gallery near you. Colleges &
universities often have art exhibitions on campus. Look at the whole show
and give your overall impression of the show. Does the show have a theme?
What kind of work does it include? Choose a piece or two to describe (as
you did in the compare and contrast essay.) Did you like the work? Why or
why not? Which pieces were particularly meaningful?
A Group Research Project
10% of final grade
This project requires that you work together with your discussion group to
research a topic and prepare a presentation to teach the class what you
have learned. Your group will be assigned one of the broad topics listed
below. Look in your text; find out some possible divisions to break up
your research among group members. Each of you research, in books,
magazines and on the web and collect as much information as possible.
Compile your information with your group. Decide what area you want to
focus in on and investigate that further Plan a short presentation of the
material you have found.
| 1.
Mayan Art |
4.
Buddhist Art |
7.
Incan Art |
10.
Japanese Art |
| 2.
Islamic Art |
5.
African Art |
8.
Aboriginal Art |
11.
Hindu Art |
| 3. Chinese Art
|
6. Indian Art
(from India) |
9. Native
American Art |
12. Aztec Art |
|
| Class
Participation: |
You are expected to keep up with
the work and to participate in the weekly group discussions. |
| Punctuality: |
Although this class is never
expected to be on line it important to keep up with the class schedule.
Each lesson has several parts to it and takes time to do.. A class
calendar with due dates of all projects will be posted on the class
bulletin board. All assignments should be done in a timely way and sent
to me as an email attachment if possible. |
| Course
Ground Rules |
|
Learn how to navigate in
WebCT. Keep abreast of course announcement. Use the assigned college or
university e-mail address as opposed a personal e-mail address. Address
technical problems immediately, Observe course etiquette at all times.
You are expected to keep up with the work and to participate in the
weekly group discussions. All assignments should be done in a timely way
and sent to me as an email attachment if possible.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated. (Plagiarism =
presenting someone else's thoughts, ideas or words as your own.)
|
| Guidelines
for Communications |
| Email: |
Always include a subject line
Use standard fonts. |
| Discussion
Groups: |
Review the discussion threads
thoroughly before entering the discussion
Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong
way. Choose your words carefully.
Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the
discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly
before entering your remarks.
Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner. |
| Chat: |
No chat is required for this class |
| Web
Resources: |
http://www.google.com is an excellent search engine that will
usually turn up reliable sources on just about any search. The Library
at my home school has a good page that has info on how to write papers,
as well as many good subject indexes.
http://www.jscc.cc.tn.us/library/ Also there are several good sites
for doing basic research in the art field, they are:
http://www.artchive.com;
http://sunsite.dk/cgfa;
http://www.wwar.com; http://
www.artcyclopedia.com |
|
Library
|
|
The
Tennessee Board of Regents Virtual Library is available
to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links
to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases,
interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps,
and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to
complete online assignments and as background reading must be included
in all courses. |
|
Students
With Disabilities
|
|
Qualified students with
disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic
accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability
services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability
accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written
verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from
the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's
responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's
disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for
having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor. |
|
Syllabus
Changes
|
|
The
instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this
syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the
instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by
individual email communication and posting both notification and nature
of change(s) on the course bulletin board. |
|
[Back
to Regents Online Degrees Home] |