Art 1 Introduction to Art History
College of Alameda Instructor: Drew Burgess
Course Syllabus Fall 2016 (code 42743)
Days Tuesday and Thursday
Hours 10:30AM to 11:45AM
Room D312
Dates August 23rd to December 15th (the final is on Dec. 15thth from 10:00 to 12:00PM)
Telephone 510-748-2216
Office Hours Thursday 1:00 to 3:00PM and Friday 12:00 to 2:00PM Room D316 or by appointment
Textbook Stokstad and Cothren, Art a Brief History 6th edition (earlier editions okay)
Web page http://alameda.peralta.edu/drew-burgess/
Units 3 units
Prerequisite none--English 1A recommended
Transfer transferable CSU and UC
Grading letter grade--students may elect to be evaluated with a grade or pass/no pass
Catalog description “Introduction to art purposes, principles and forms: Basic understanding of stylistic development and methods of analysis with emphasis on twentieth century art.”
Objective To develop a fundamental ability to critically converse, analyze, and reflect upon art throughout the world.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
1) Evaluate creation of art in historical context with an emphasis toward modern life.
2) Identify broad themes of art located in the context of history and contemporary society.
3) Analyze properties of art creation in a variety of cultures and periods.
Course Content
The course is of the lecture and discussion format. Attendance is required. The course utilizes many resources including: lectures with photographs, films, and textbook reading. Reading of the textbook is assigned in class. The homework includes reading, preparation for tests, a museum visit and the production of a term paper.
We study art of the world, the role of artists in society, art as communication, art as social and political commentary, ideas of beauty and the themes of art. We actively learn the vocabulary of art.
Grading ---500 points
Classwork--lectures, class interaction, notes, films, discussions, groups 120pts.
Homework—two worksheets—25 points each 50pts
Midterm –questions and essay--selections from the class and chapters 100pts.
Homework—two worksheets—25 points each 50pts
Museum visit Paper—comparative analysis of works of art—five pages—hard copy 100pts.
Final—questions—selections from the class and chapters 80pts.
500 points possible. Please respect the structure of the class and the requirements.
All of your written work must be composed by you. It is very important. The museum visit must be completed in person with a contemplative analysis of the actual artworks---not via a website or via a photograph---in person. Please discuss with me the museum of choice and your idea. The midterm is on October 20th.
Class Management
1. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand important dates and withdraw from the class as necessary.
2. This face to face class has an expectation of regular attendance and participation. Withdrawal by the instructor may happen for these reasons:
§ Absence on the first day or week of class.
§ Absence of 2-3 classes up to the census roster.
§ Absence of 5 or more total classes during the course of the semester.
Please be courteous regarding these decisions as the structure of the grading is intended to be equal in opportunity and fair for all students.
3. Please arrive on time for full class session credit---Roll will be called at the beginning of class.
4. Taking notes is recommended.
5. There will not be make-up exams.
6. There is not a specific extra credit assignment--- See me during office hours to discuss.
7. Please visit me during office hours for the signing of papers or documents. Generally, I do not wish to sign or look at documents during or following class.
8. Please meet with me during office hours if you would like to discuss issues that concern you. I will do my best to help you. (Please recognize that I am focused on the class before and after class and it is not a reflection of my regard for you or your concerns if I have difficulty discussing issues during these times).
9. Tests are conducted with concern for the serious student. You are asked to arrive on time, turn off devices, not to wear headgear, to be considerate of others, and to complete your test without leaving the room.
10. I will be happy to read a practice essay, help develop your paper, or review a draft during my office hours.
Class Courtesy
Courtesy is very important.
Please turn off your phone and remove headphones during class.
Please do not record the class, take photographs, or exchange the class via the internet or other social media. This is an important distinction regarding student privacy—including everyone in the class. This agreement may not be violated. Auditing is not permitted (College policy) including children. It is my intention to create a considerate environment for all. Please be mindful of the potential effect of your discourse. Each student is respected and may expect an environment without harassment or bullying.
Peralta District Calendar
August 22 Monday Fall Semester Begins
August 27 Saturday Saturday Instruction Begins
September 4 Sunday Last Day to Drop Regular Session Classes and Receive a Refund
Note: Short-term and open-entry classes must be dropped within 10% of the first class meeting to receive a refund.
September 4 Sunday Last Day to Drop Regular Session Classes Without a “W”
Appearing on Transcripts
September 4 Sunday Last Day to Add Regular Session Classes
September 4 Sunday Census Roster Due – Instructors Verify Enrollment in Classes
September 5 Monday Labor Day – Holiday Observance
September 9 Friday Last Day to File for PASS/NO PASS Grading Option for Regular
Session Classes
October 21 Friday Last Day to File Petitions for AA or AS Degree/Certificate
November 11 Friday Veteran’s Day – Holiday Observance
November 18 Friday Last Day to Withdraw from Regular Session Classes and Receive a
“W”. All outstanding fees are due even if classes are dropped on this day.
November 18 Friday Attendance Verification Day – Instructors Verify Enrollment
Nov. 24 - 27 Thursday-Sunday Thanksgiving – Holiday Observance
December 10 Saturday Saturday Instruction Ends
December 12 - 16 Monday-Friday Final Examinations
December 16 Friday Fall Semester Ends
Rubric for tests, projects and the semester grade:
A grade of ‘A’ in art history exemplifies steady growth and exceptional work. The grade of ‘A’ is a mark of high achievement. A commitment to the whole process is an essential quality of high achievement. A grade of ‘B’ means the student has done work of high quality, exceeding expectations, and that the work ranks above average. A grade of ‘C’ means the student has done work which meets the requirements for the problem, and appears average. ‘D’ grades indicate the student has not met expectations for the problem, and the work is below average. ’F’ grades indicate the student has applied little effort in meeting the goals of the problem.
Assignment: MUSEUM VISIT PAPER ----Comparative analysis of selected works of art
Discuss with me your idea by October 27th. It is absolutely important that you visit a museum and spend time with works of art. Please deliver a synopsis (written description) of your idea on or before the 27th of October. Minimum 100 words.
1) The museum you visit or plan to visit;
2) The theme that may be the focus of your paper, such as daily life, religion, power, nature, beauty, war etc.
3) Your plan for analyzing (comparing and contrasting) works of art that relate to your theme of interest.
Requirements:
1. The paper is a college level investigation with facts accumulated and embodied within the writing. The paper introduces the subject, offers a thesis, develops a body of thought and concludes. Defend your thoughts with direct observations of the art.
2. Additional sources must be properly noted and cited. For example, if you visit the Oakland museum and see a work of art to utilize in your paper, find a scholarly source to bolster your idea about the artwork. Has anyone else written about the work? What did they say? Provide a “Works Cited” page.
3. The paper is completed in the MLA style (or Chicago Style). You are responsible for knowing the style and formatting of a college level paper----VISIT THE WRITING CENTER!
4. The paper is a full 5 pages and in addition a 1 page “Works Cited” page totaling 5 pages. No photographs or special covers please.
Rubric (Mandatory elements)
A pre-paper synopsis
Correct formatting of the paper including a “Works Cited” page
Development of a direct analysis of multiple works of art
Development of an original idea ----What is the focus of the paper?
College level quality of writing with a logical thought process, intro, thesis, body, and conclusion
A hardcopy of the paper is due on November 22nd (Electronic delivery is not acceptable—thank you)
When visiting the museum refers to this list----Gather notes:
1) The artists, title, date, dimensions, location, medium and materials.
2) Subject matter---religious, mythological, historical, portrait, still life, landscape, genre, daily life, or other.
3) Formal elements of the works---line, shape, mass, color, texture, space, tone, contrast. How are these elements employed by the artists?
4) Composition? Analyze the design of the works----unity, variety, balance (symmetry and asymmetry), proportion/scale, rhythm /repetition and emphasis.
5) Interpret what you see---what does the work say ? Is the work symbolic? Is the work of a personal nature and possibly biographical? Is the work political, social or philosophical? Is the work contemporary, of the past, or ancient?
6) Discuss the impact of the work in the gallery---big, small, bright, dull---an installation? A sculpture?
7) What does the work mean to you? Why did you choose the selected works?
Museums
Oakland Museum of California, The deYoung Museum, California Palace of the Legion of Honor
The Asian Art Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Communication
Please visit with me during office hours to discuss your ideas about the term paper or the museum visit. Enjoy the process!
Pass/no pass
If a student elects the grading option of pass/no pass 70% is needed to pass the class. The student must complete all five sections regardless of point total—the final must be completed.
Online resources:
COA Learning Resource Center: http://alameda.peralta.edu/learning-resource-center/
Oxford Art Online--visit our library: http://alameda.peralta.edu/library/
Smarthistory: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/
Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
A message from the DSPS office:
"If you have a disability which may require classroom or test accommodations, please contact Programs and Services for Students with Disabilities (DSPS) in Room D117 or call DSPS at 510-748-2328. You will need to provide written documentation of your disability. If you think you have a disability but currently have no documentation, DSPS may be able to help you. All information will be kept confidential."
"This document is available in alternate format upon request. Please contact DSPS at 510-748-2328."
Class Practices and Study Habits
1. Come to class and participate!
2. If possible, bring your book. We refer to illustrations as we progress in the material.
3. Take notes---write down the key elements or ‘memory helpers’ of the class discussion.
4. Read the chapters. Organize your thinking with a structured approach.
5. Regular attendance is expected to participate in the exams.
6. I will develop the study guide for the exams in class with daily instructions. I write on the board and that will be the structure for information; copy information each class and develop your notes to study with. I encourage you to seek out other students for support and for help as needed. The delivery of information will take place in class.
Art History Essay Writing for an Exam
Writing an essay for an exam is probably one of the most challenging aspects of an art history course. An essay should offer insight concerning the subject. To develop insight one must be involved in the art that is studied----- read about art and practice writing about art.
Visit this link: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/685/01/
Dear student, this syllabus may be amended or adjusted to fulfill the needs of the class. I usually do not make changes--- I follow the syllabus and record grades with objective analysis.
A reading guide: This course is a survey of art forms from a cross section of the world.
1. Read the Starter Kit and the Introduction to the book. In the first week we talk about fundamental aspects of art and the study of art history. Familiarize yourself with all of the new terms and vocabulary. In class take notes, ask me to clarify anything that is confusing. We touch upon the art of many people.
2. During the following weeks we will discuss the art of prehistory, early civilizations, and arts of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Asia, the Aegean Islands and the Greeks. Follow the art we speak about in class. We watch films that balance the presentation with modern ideas and an inclusion of a broad spectrum of culture.
3. Your success depends on reading and studying. Over the next few weeks we will discuss the arts of the Roman, Jewish, Christian and Islamic cultures. We will also return to the arts of Asia. Once again follow the conversation and examples of art we view in class. The midterm will address the art of chapters 1-10.
4. The next phase of the course will focus on chapters that begin to bring us into the modern world. Read the chapters on Gothic Art, the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo Art, Art of the Americas and the Arts of Africa. Be flexible, study to grasp the material.
5. The reading carries you into the 19th and 20th centuries. The Final will give you an opportunity to express your new knowledge. The Final will address chapters 11-20. We discuss many aspects of art and ourselves as citizens of a dynamic world.
Communication
Please check your Peralta email account for messages that I may send to everyone.
To do:
1. Obtain the book and begin to read about art.
2. Participate in class actively throughout the semester.
3. Complete four worksheets---two before and two after the midterm.
4. As you read and attend classes, practice writing about art.
- Study and complete the midterm.
6. Prepare an idea for the museum paper.
7. Visit a museum and complete a paper.
8. Study and complete the final.
Dear Student,
This course is designed with great respect for you. This art history course, if it is completed with college level focus, will provide you with a firm grounding regarding the artistic culture of the world.
Sincerely,
Drew Burgess Welcome to the class!