Fall 2009/ARTH 175: 3 credit hours
Introduction to Art History from Prehistory through the Middle Ages
Instructor: Kathleen Burke Course meets: Rutledge 119
Sec. 006 T/H 2-3:15 PM Sec. 004 T/H 3:30-4:45 PM Sec. 005 T/H 5-6:15 PM
email: office hrs: by appt., 229 McLaurin phone: x 6384 Class website:
Text (required):Art Across Time, Vol. 1, 3rd Edition, by Laurie Schneider Adams
Recommended:
A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnet
Prentice Hall Reference Guide to Grammar and Usage. by Muriel Harris
Course description: Survey of art and architecture in the major civilizations of ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Medieval Europe, India, China, Japan, and Africa.
No Prerequisites Required.
Course Goals: ARTH 175 is required for ARTS, ARTE, ARTH, VCOM, & INDS majors. GNED: ARTH 175 fulfills GNED requirements for Historical Perspective, Global Perspective and Humanities and the Arts. Goal 1.1 Read, write and speak standard English is met through writing assignments and essay exam questions, Goal 3.2Analyze and use a variety of information gathering techniques is met through the research paper assignment, Goal 4. 1Analyze diverse world cultures, societies, languages, historical periods, and artistic expressionsandGoal 6.1 To understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the interconnectedness of the literary, visual, and performing arts throughout the history of civilization are met through reading, lecture, research and exams on course description content.
Expected Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course students will demonstrate knowledge of the history of the arts of ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, Medieval Europe, India, China, Japan, and Africa through satisfactory written standard English on exams and in a research paper which includes demonstration of competent citation skills.
Course requirements: There are 400 possible points. Grading scale:
A = 94% and above; A- = 90-93%; B+ = 87-89%; B = 84-86%; B- = 80-83%;
C+ = 77-79%; C = 74-76%; C- = 70-73%; D+ = 67-69%; D= 64-66%;
D- = 60-63%; F = 59% or less
Exams (3)300 (100 pts each)
Writing Assignment100 pts
TOTAL400 pts
Studying tips: Memorization and cultural context are the key components of this course. Paintings, sculptures, architecture, artists, historical figures, time periods, cultures, and places
are building blocks of the discipline, part of a web of information that illuminates the artworks. Class lectures will make connections between the works, and between the works and their contexts. You are responsible for your own memorization process, which requires, more than anything else, time: the time necessary for images to become familiar and the information to interconnect. I suggest following these simple guidelines:
1. Read the chapter material to be covered BEFORE class.
2. Listen and watch during class (do NOT bring the book and flip through the pages: this will only distract you).
3. ***** Take brief notes in class and review them as soon as possible after class so that you will understand them when you need them later. Compare your notes with the text and expand your class notes with other relevant information. Re-read relevant sections of the text. *****
4. You will see an average of 100 images per week (not all of them are in your book; only the ones in your book will be included in the exams). Every week, review the images in your book that have been covered in class. Before each exam, you will get a study guide with a list of images, vocabulary and concepts. You must be able to identify these images on the guide, of which approximately 10-12 will be included in the exam. Identifying an image involves knowing its title, the name of the artist who created it (if known), the medium, and the time and/or place of creation. Image identification carries great weight in terms of grade percentage. Trying to absorb all the information just before the exam will only confuse you.
5. Many students find that making image flash cards helps with memorization, and participation in a study group is one of the best predictors for success in the class.
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The Writing Center: All students, regardless of current writing ability, are encouraged to make use of this free service. Tutors will help you with the organization of the material and sometimes with the formulation of your thoughts. If your ideas cannot be understood or are unclear due to poor writing skills, this will be reflected in your grade. The Writing Center can make a real difference. The center's hours and policies can be found at
Attendance Policy:You have three allowed absences during the semester to cover illness and personal emergencies, and officially scheduled Winthrop athletic commitments. A fourth absence lowers your final grade by a half letter automatically (e.g., from a B to a B-), and a fifth absence drops your final grade a full letter (e.g., from a B to a C). Six total, or four consecutive absences drops you from the class with an “F”. Doctor or advisor appointments, job interviews, family emergencies and other “good” excuses still count as absence. Student-athletes who have an officially scheduled conflict are given an opportunity to make up the time missed, at the instructor’s discretion. No information or lecture will be repeated, nor does an absence excuse an assignment deadline. Make sure to contact a reliable classmate for missed information well in advance of the next class.
TO REPEAT: A total of 6 absences, OR 4 consecutive absences results in a failing grade for the course.
Make up Exams: I will allow a make-up for an exam ONLY for a medical reason - with a doctor’s note - or for an officially scheduled absence in the case of student-athletes. You must complete a make-up exam within one week of your return to class. It is your responsibility to contact me for scheduling make-ups for a missed exam.
Winthrop Email: Email is the preferred method of communication in this class. Please check your Winthrop email account every weekday. If you prefer to use another account, set up your Winthrop account to forward to messages to the account you do check. This way you won’t miss important announcements (e.g., class is canceled) via the class listserve. Also, when emailing me, ALWAYS put "ARTH 175" somewhere in the subject line, (e.g., ARTH 175 question – Chapter 2 reading), please address it (e.g., Dear Ms. Burke), CHECK YOUR SPELLING and include your first and last name.
Students with Disabilities: Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education.
If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Services for Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me well before the first graded assignment is due.
Class conduct: Any activities that detract from class, such as arriving late (or leaving early), getting up in the middle of class to go to the bathroom or the vending machines, sleeping, eating, talking to your neighbor or on a cell phone, text-messaging, reading, studying for another class, etc., are not acceptable in a college-level class. Any of the above behaviors may result in you being asked to leave class, which will count as an absence for the day.
Student Code of Conduct: As noted in the Student Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy in the Student Handbook online (
Safe Zone: This classroom is a place where everyone will be treated with respect as a human being – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated
and encouraged provided all can agree to disagree. It is my expectation that ALL members of this class consider the classroom a safe environment.
Cell phone/electronics policy: No cell phone, laptop computer or other electronic devise may be used in this class. That means you may not talk on a cell phone, text-message, check for messages or use a computer to take notes during class. Cell phones should be turned OFF and put out of sight for the duration of the class period. Failure to comply with this policy will result in confiscation of the cell phone for the duration of that class, and may result in you being asked to leave class, which will count as an absence for the day.
Academic Integrity: Winthrop University students are responsible for adhering to the University's policies regarding academic discipline stated in the undergraduate catalog and the Student Handbook, both available on the Winthrop University web site. Academic misconduct such as cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and will result in failure of the course and/or other possible penalties. Students should download and read The Correct Use of Borrowed Information. Ignorance or failure to consult this material is no excuse. You will also be responsible for submitting writing assignments via the website Failure to do so will result in a grade no higher than 60% for the assignment, even if you turn in a hard copy by the deadline. Detailed instructions for how to use this website will be provided in class.
Turnitin enrollment information:
ARTH 175-006 2:00pmARTH 175-004 3:30 pmARTH 175-005 5:00 pm
class ID: 2792949class ID: 2792956class ID: 2792967
password: fresco password: obeliskpassword: portal
Class website:
Tentative Course schedule:
(I reserve the right to change or alter this schedule if necessary.)
AugReadings
25Introduction & PrehistoryIntro / Ch. 1
27The Art of Prehistory; WOW 1
Sept
1-3Ancient Near EastCh. 2
8-17Ancient EgyptCh. 3
22-24The AegeanCh. 4
29Exam1 (chapters 1-4)
Oct
1-8Ancient GreeceCh. 5
13The Etruscans; WOW 2Ch. 6
15Etruscans/Ancient Rome; WOW 3Ch. 7
15Writing Assignment: due at beginning of class
and online to Turnitin.com by 10:00 pm
20No classes – FALL BREAK
22-29Rome
Nov
3Exam2 (chapters 5-7)
5-10Early Christian/Byzantine; WOW 4Ch. 8
12-17Early Middle AgesCh. 9
19-24RomanesqueCh. 10
26No classes – THANKSGIVING BREAK
Dec
1-3Gothic; WOW 6Ch. 11/12
FINAL (Exam 3 - Chapters 8-12)
Class meets: Final Exam date/time:
Sec. 006 T/H 2:00 PM Friday, December 11th– 8 AM
Sec. 004 T/H 3:30 PM Monday, December 14th – 3 PM
Sec. 005 T/H 5:00 PMSaturday, December 12th -– 11:30 AM
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