UMUC Europe Syllabus

A survey of the development of Western art as expressed in painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistoric times to the Renaissance. Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses: ARTH 200 or ARTH 260

Course Goals/Objectives:

The successful student will be able to: Identify major styles in art and architecture. Discuss the function of art and how it reveals the priorities of the time. Discuss the role of art and the artist in his/her society.

Course Introduction:

A survey of the art of the Western World from pre-History to the onset of the Renaissance in Italy This historical overview of art will include painting, sculpture and architecture. We will observe carefully the aspects of each artwork that identify it with a certain time period. These observations reveal information about the function of art and the responsibility of the artist. This offers us a glimpse into the world in which the artwork was created. What is art? What is it's function? What is the responsibility of the artist, etc. are only a few of the questions we will be addressing in the course. This course begins with the earliest manifestations of Art History- Prehistoric cave paintings and ends with the height of the Medieval period- Gothic art. Unlike modern art, all the art of this period is the material manifestation of religious beliefs and we will study the various religious systems giving rise to these different artistic styles. The first part of this course is also a study of civilizations, many of which laid the foundations for our own Western civilization. With the help of slides in class and museum visits, we will learn the "language" of the art of each period, how each work spoke to the people for whom it was created and how it may speak to us today.

Grading Information and Criteria:

GRADES Participation discussions and responses 10% Participation is important. Each student is expected to contribute. In our discussions quality input is expected. Exchanges between students throughout the term is encourage Museum Projects: 30% To be coordinated with our Field Trips. On these Field trips we will be working with primary sources (the original artworks). These written assignments are to be comprehensive. Grades will be based on content and a proper writing style. MIDTERM 30 % Essay test to be administered midway through the course. FINAL:30% in the same format as the midterm. Grades will be based on a 100 point scale - 100-90 A 89-80 B 79- 70 C 69- 60 D below 60 F

Other Information:

Any other information the instructor wishes to add. This might include: General expectations of students, such as hours per week students should expect to devote to the class Turnaround time for faculty to respond to email and return papers Unique class procedures or activities (such as cooperative learning exercises, panel presentations, case study methods, class journals or learning logs) Supplemental objectives (such as development of skills like teamwork, writing, oral presentation; integration of knowledge on focus topics) Optional activities such as study groups

Project Descriptions:

Museum Projects to be outlined by the instructor.

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. The Basis of Art: Time, Place, Function 2. Pre History: Lascaux and the art. Function? Who were the artists? 3. Stonehenge: Who, When, Why? 4. The Ancient World "Overview": The history. 5. The Art of Egypt: Timelessness, Predictability 6. The Art of Mesopotamia: Sources, Materials, Vulnerability 7. The Art of the Aegean: Crete and the Minoans. 8. The Art of Greece: A World View-The Birth of Western Civilization. 9. The Art of Rome: A New World Order 10. The Classical World: Summary 11. The Fall of Rome and Christianity 12. Early Christian Art: A New World View 13. Bzyantine and Medieval Art: A shift in content- dematerialization. Why? 14. Charlemagne, and the Ottonians. 15. Gothic and the Art of the North.