Westermann, Mariet.  Wordly Art, Dutch Republic 1585-1718.  Yale University Press.  ISBN 03-00107-234. 

Christopher White, Rembrandt, Thames and Hudson.

This class will explore Dutch painting and printmaking in the seventeenth-century with emphasis on Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Vermeer and, of course, Rembrandt. While the course will deal with both stylistic and iconographic issues, we will also explore how the social and cultural context of seventeenth-century Holland influenced artistic creation. Discussion topics will include but are not limited to professional, civic and national identity, artistic authority, the market and collecting and realism.

1.Conference Participation 25%
2.Final Paper (7-10 pp.) 25%
3.Midterm 20%
4.Final 30%

Grades will be based on a 100 point scale:

100-90 = A
89-80 = B
79-70 = C
69-60 = D
below 60 = F

Students should expect to devote, at least, a quality 4-5 hours per week to the class.
Students will participate actively and in a timely fashion in all conferences. Both grammar and content in the discussion will be considered in the final discussion grade; you are expected to contribute your own ideas and respond to those of your classmates. Plan on being in the classroom more than once a week.

If you are absent for any length of time, you need to inform me in advance of your absence, and you are responsible for all work missed and any possible penalties incurred.

Late Assignments: If you submit any of your assignments late, 1/3 of a letter grade will be deducted for every late day, i.e. if your assignment is two days late, and your original grade is A, then your final grade will be B+ ( one day=A-, two days=B+).

Email and Assignment Turnaround: I respond to emails within 24 hours except during the weekends. I usually try to keep one day completely work free. I try to correct and return assignments within two weeks barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional use of another's work without proper citation and is an offence I take seriously. Plagiarism will result in an automatic, unredeemable F for the assignment plus the filing of a formal complaint with the Office of Student Affairs.
See the UMUC policies at the following URL: http://www.umuc.edu/policy/
During the first week of class, you will be asked to a take an online plagiarism test.

Websites and occasional small readings will supplement the main texts. Finally, I reserve the right to amend the syllabus (which usually means 'shorten') due to time constraints.

Reading Assignments:

(week 1): no reading, review syllabus, participate in introductory conference and take online plagiarism test

(week 2): Frans Hals and Portraiture: Slive , pp. 28-48

(week 3): Johannes Vermeer, Peter de Hooch and Realist Strategies
Slive, pp. 133-157

(week 4): Jan Steen et al. and Scenes of Domesticity:  Slive, pp.157-176

(week 5): Van Ruisdael and van Goyen: Landscape and National Identity, Slive, pp.176-77, 186-191, 195-212

(week 6): New Genre of Architectural Painting and Still-Lifes
pp. pp.262-276
Student Generated: Midterm Questions

(week 7): Self-Scheduled Face-to-Face Midterm at Your Education Center

(week 8): MIDTERM BREAK

(week 9): MIDTERM BREAK

(week 10): Goltzius et al.: Slive,  7-27

(week 11): Rembrandt: White,Chapters 1 and 2
Paper rough draft due (voluntary)

(week 12): Rembrandt: White,Chapters 3 and 4

(week 13): Rembrandt: White Chapter 5

(week 14): Rembrandt's Students: Slive,
98-121
Final Paper Due, 25 April 2005

(week 15):  Catch-up and Final Exam Review

(week 16): Online Final Exam--as we approach this date, details and procedure of the exam will be discussed.