UMUC Europe Syllabus for ARTH 100

A grounding in the basic tools of understanding visual art. Major approaches (such as techniques, subject matter, form, and evaluation) are the focus. Painting, sculpture, architecture, and the graphic arts are discussed.

Course Goals/Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: to identify major artists and concepts in your everyday life, at the movies, or in the news to identify art processes and concepts, periods of art, and the major artists or works to describe a work of art with the vocabulary and concepts of the field to read and interpret an image, a sculpture, or an architectural structure to discuss the interrelation between style, subject matter, time period, and geographical location.

Course Introduction:

The main purpose of this course is to familiarize you with the special terms used when discussing works of art. You may think of it as jargon, technical and descriptive terms developed as the study of art history has evolved over several centuries. You will learn about the formal elements of painting, sculpture and architecture. Equally important, we will study how works of art are created and the materials used in that process. The question of meaning or message of a specific work of art, its iconography, is a special interesting topic we will investigate and explain. You will also learn about major artists and the different art styles they reflect, their evolution and changes over time, as well as the differences in styles in different cultures, and the cross-fertilization that occurs between art from different cultures.

Grading Information and Criteria:

Grading: Testing will be on the Keynote vocabulary/concepts and identification of the Brief Art History images. There will be two short Quizzes, a paper, a Mid-term, and a Final. The midterm and final will each include at least one essay question. A letter grade will be subtracted for each 4 unexcused absences. All excused classes (e.g., military exercises) need to be documented by the student. Your total grade is calculated on 100 averaged points. 2 Quizzes each ( 5%) Interpretive essay (15%) Midterm Exam (35%) Final Exam (40%) Scale: 90-100 points = A 80-89 = B 65-79 = C 55-64 = D Below 55 = F

Other Information:

None

Project Descriptions:

In the practice of effective writing, you will be asked to write an essay that may, at the choice of the instructor: describe and interpret a single work of art, compare two works from different artists of the same period and style compare two works from different styles on similar themes compare two works from different cultures describe the essential characteristics of a period, style, or type of art with illustrative examples a topic of your choosing. The essay may be drawn entirely from the text and CD or may use outside resources, including materials from art museum visits or museum websites. The essay will demonstrate your ability to communicate key art concepts using the appropriate vocabulary.

Academic Policies:

Cases of plagiarism are handled consistent with current UMUC guidelines. See the UMUC policies at the following URL: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/

Course Schedule:

1. 1 Starter Kit (p.11- 29), Introduction, Art Before the Written Word 2 The Art of Mesopotamia & Egypt Take-Home Midterm (Part 1) 2. 3 Early Asian Art 5 Greek Art 3. 7 & 8 Selected Topics of Byzantine & Islamic Art 4. 9 Later Asian Art 5. 10 Selected Topics of Romanesque & Gothic Art 6. 11 Early Renaissance Art 12 Art of the High Renaissance 7. MIDTERM 8. 13 Baroque & Rococo Art 9. 14 Art of the Americas 10. 15 African Art 11. 16 Neoclassicism & Romanticism Take-Home Final (part 1) 12. 17 Realism to Impressionism 13. 18 Post Impressionism 14. 19 Modern Art