PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MASTER SYLLABUS

WESTERN ART I
 ART 1720

Class Hours:  3.0

 

Credit Hours:  3.0

 

Laboratory Hours:  0.0

 

Revised:  Fall 05

 

 

 

 

 

Catalog Course Description:

 

 

 

Major movements in Western art, with emphasis on Europe from prehistory through the Middle  Ages. Course provides an overview of the predominant artistic/architectural/cultural movements from the Paleolithic to the Early Christian/Byzantine period including Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Aegean, Greece, Etruscans and Rome.

Entry Level Standards:

 

 

 

 The student is expected to be able to read on a college level, write using correct spelling and coherent paragraphs free of major grammatical errors, and employ primary research techniques to gather information.

Prerequisites/Corequisites: None

 

 

Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:

 

 

 Gardner's Art Through the Ages - Split Edition, Volume 1, most recent edition

I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:

 

 

 

Week 

Topic

 

1

Introduction to course; text, policies, requirements; introduction to terminology;   importance of the visual arts as a historical recorder of cultures, peoples, and times.   Paleolithic, Mesolithic, Neolithic periods

 

2

Introduction to Near Eastern Cultures: Mesopotamia

 

3

Mesopotamia (Sumerian, Babelonian, Hittites)

 

4

Mesopotamian (Assyrian, Persian), Introduction to Egypt (Early, Old Kingdom)

 

5

Egypt (Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom); EXAM I

 

6

Aegean Civilizations (Cycladic, Minoan)

 

7

Aegean  (Minoan, Mycenean);  Paper #1 Due

 

8

Introduction to Greece (Archaic, Early Classical)

 

9

Greece (High/Late Classical, Hellenistic)  EXAM II

 

10

Etruscan, Introduction to Rome - Republican period

 

11

Rome (Early Empire); Paper #2  OR Hands-on Art Project Due

 

12

Rome (Late Empire), Introduction to Early Christian

 

13

Early Christian/Byzantine

 

14

Early Christian/Byzantine

 

15

FINAL EXAM

II. Course Objectives*:

 

 

 

A.

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the broad historical framework of the period from cave art through Early Christian and Byzantine styles and the attendant influences on the major art movements of that time.  II 1.,2., 3., 4., 5., 6, IV. 5

 

B.

Discuss the role of the visual arts as a creative historical recorder in the development of civilization.  II. 2., 4

 

C.

Evidence a basic understanding of the terms and techniques associated with art/architecture and in particular those specific innovations/techniques from Prehistory through Early Christian and Byzantine.  II. 1., 4

 

D.

Apply course concepts in critically analyzing contemporary art and relationships of art to one's personal culture, environment, and time.  II. 2., 4

*Roman numerals after course objectives reference TBR’s general education goals.

III. Instructional Processes*: 

 

 

Students will:

 

 

 

 

1.

Develop written summaries of visual art exhibits that emphasize the cultural implications of the works observed.  Communication Outcome,Humanities and Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy

 

2.

Participate in interactive discovery exercises that focus on the power and limitations of cultural conditioning.  Humanities and Fine Arts Outcome, Active Learning Strategy,  Transitional Strategy

 

3.

Evaluate the influence of the visual arts in defining societal issues and/or cultural dictates by identifying and discussing contemporary and ancient Western European images that communicate various positions on significant social/political/cultural concerns.  Humanities and Fine Arts Outcome, Communication Outcome, Active Learning Strategy

*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.

IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: 

 

 

Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

 

1.

Define basic terminology related to the visual arts and explain specific works in those terms.  C

 

2.

Relate major works and movements to their creators, to their culture, and to the historical context in which they lived.  A,  B

 

3.

Apply knowledge of terms and concepts to an artistic experience.  C,  D

 

4.

Analyze works from the major movements covered by comparing and contrasting forms, styles, and ideas.  A,  B,  C,  D

 

5.

Identify universal concerns represented/presented in visual art(s) and respond to multi-cultural diversity and accomplishments in discussion.  B,  D

 

6.

Infer correlations between historical context in which art is created and the subsequent type of art produced; its reflection of society, culture and time. A,  B,  D

 

7.

Utilize art as a reference for decoding non-western cultures and as a reflection of one's culture and time.  D

 

8.

Recognize the place and power of the visual image as regards cultural trends, propaganda, marketing, and advertising.  B,  D

 

9.

Apply criteria of judgement to selected visual works from each historical period in course content. C,  D

*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.

V. Evaluation:

 

 

 

A. Testing Procedures:  75% of grade

 

 Students will be given three broad-based, non-cumulative examinations (25% each)   during the semester. Exams will consist of some or all of the following elements,
 * Slide Identification: artist, movement, time, country and/or other special attributes
 * Short answer definitions/questions
 * Essay questions (1 minimum) on broad based information

 

B. Laboratory Expectations:  10% of grade

 

 Students will participate in two formal group activities/discussions (5% each) during the semester based on specific assignments geared to course content

 

C. Field Work:  15% of grade

 

 During the semester, students are required to attend two visual art exhibitions (7.5% each) in the   area. A paper (approximately 500 words) detailing who, where, what you see is required for each of the exhibits viewed. Student opinion, pro or con, and any relationship or correlation to course content that is inferred should be included. Paper must be word processed, double-spaced, using appropriate grammatical construction and correct spelling. One exhibit must feature the work of minority or non- Western culture. Failure to complete papers will result in an incomplete (I) for the course. 

VI. Policies:

 

 

 

A. Attendance Policy:

 

Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  This applies to both excused and unexcused absences. 

 

B. Academic Dishonesty:

 

Students are expected to abide by the sanctions listed in the current college catalog under the Academic and Classroom Misconduct guidelines.

 

C. Accommodations for disabilities:

 

If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.