INTRODUCTION TO FINE ARTS
COURSE SYLLABUS-Spring 2016
ART 2313-005 (19235)
T/TH 9:30 – 10:50 am
8/29/2016 – 12/16//2016
Office: JCM 3102 HPhone: 512-245-8494
Office Hours: by appointment
Professor S. Faseler
Email:
Classroom: JCM 2121
Student aid: Shane,
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND GOALS:
Course description(from catalog): An introductory course designed to give the student a fundamental understanding of the creation and appreciation of diverse modes of expression through the visual and performing arts.
This introductory study of the visual and performing arts is designed for undergraduate students who wish to fulfill a graduation requirement and to learn about the chronological development of the arts from prehistory to the contemporary period. ART 2313 is a survey of the elements and history of the fine arts and culture. This course stresses inter-relationships between the visual arts, architecture, music, theater and dance throughout western cultural history.
The purpose of this course is to help you develop a greater awareness and understanding of the arts. After completing this course you should be able to discuss major artistic achievements from prehistory to the present. By the end of this course, you will have developed a greater appreciation for the depth and diversity found within the arts and understand better how the arts exist within your environment.
General Education Core Objectives/Learning Outcomes: (code 050)
Creative Arts Component Outcomes:
Students will appreciate and analyze creative artifacts and works of the human imagination. Students will synthesize and interpret artistic expression and enable critical, creative and innovative communication about works of art.
Core Objectives/Competencies Outcomes: Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.
Communication
Students will effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication
Teamwork
Students will recognize different points of view and work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.
Social Responsibility
Students will demonstrate intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage in regional, national and global communities.
Required Text:
Dennis J. Sporre The Creative Impulse: An Introduction to the Arts.
Purchase the 8th edition. Do not worry about the CDs. I do not use them in this class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Reading Assignments: Each are indicated in the schedule of topics listed below. R: indicates the pages you are to read prior to class. We will move fast through this material and you are urged to keep up to date with readings.
Exams: 3 non-cumulative scantron exams will be held in class time; each exam counts for 20pts of your final grade. No make-up exams will be given. Details on exams will be discussed in class.
Critical Reviews: There are 3 critical reviews required for this course. Each one will be a 2 page review of an art exhibition or performance (Music, Dance, art exhibit or Theatrical performance). It will each count for 8pts of your grade. Details on the paper will be discussed in class. 9/29, 10/25 and 11/15 Due dates.
Note: Every semester “Last minute” circumstances arise that prevent some students from getting to an appropriate museum or from submitting reviews by the due date. Any such excuses for submitting late reviews or for not following the established guidelines are unacceptable. Busy work schedules, family-related responsibilities, or travel limitations are not grounds for violating the stated guidelines or for submitting a late Critical Review. Knowing well in advance that your Critical Review is due and that it represents a meaningful percent of your final course grade should motivate you to plan ahead. Again, Late reviews will not be accepted so commit to starting your reviews early in the semester.
Attendance/Contribution to class: For full credit you can not have more than 3 unexcused absences, in addition you must demonstrate a seriousness of purpose through mature and courteous classroom behavior. You will also need to participate in class discussions related to the reading you have been assigned. I expect you to show respect for each other and for your instructor by (at a minimum) arriving on time, not leaving early, turning off cell phones and other noise-making devices, and staying focused on the material at hand for the full length of class. (more detailed information below)
Pop Quiz: a pop quiz will occur throughout the semester and relate to the required reading for that day. If you are not up to date on your reading it will be impossible to pass this quiz. This will be worth 5 points.
GRADING
Exam 120 points
Exam 220 points
Exam 320 points
Three Critical Reviews(8 points each) 24 points
Attendance/Contribution5 points
POP quiz 5 points
group assignment 6 points
Teaching Methods and Learning Activities:
Lectures are both subjective and objective.
PowerPoint presentations, videos and electronic media are used to aid in the clarification of the text.
Lectures, tests and study guide notes emphasize important issues of cultural context, characteristic of artistic style, iconography, and principle artists are covered on the exams.
Readings, chapter questions and study guide assignments are required for full participation in the course and should be completed BEFORE the class period for that assigned topic.
CLASS POLICIES:
Students with special needs should identify themselves by the end of the second week of class. Please bring appropriate documentation from ODS.
Disruptive behavior during class is inappropriate. This includes talking, sleeping, doing an activity unrelated to class, using electronic devices during class, etc. You may bring a laptop as long as you use it only to take notes and sit in the front row of the lecture hall. CELL PHONES SHOULD BE TURNED OFF AND PUT AWAY. If behavior becomes a problem it could result in a lowered course grade or in dismissal from the course. If you are doing any of these behaviors you could be counted absent.
Late is defined as after the start of class. You will be counted late is you are not in your seat when class starts. I will not accept work if it not turned in by the start of class. Not 5, 10, etc. minutes after.
All grades will be available to students via TRACS. Final grades will also be posted on TRACS.
Because Texas State does not have “plus” or “minus” grades, I will round borderline final grades (that are within 1 point below the cutoff). For example, an 89% would be rounded to 90%, a 79% to 80%, a 69% to a 70%, etc.
Because grades are available through TRACS, I will not respond to requests to calculate your current or final average. I will also not respond to question regarding “bumping” up of your grade.
Assignments must be handed in to me in person and stapled. I will not accept assignments via email. Assignments turned in after the start of class are considered late and will receive no credit.
Absence/Drop:
It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from a course.
Academic Honesty:
Academic Honesty Guidelines
All students are required to abide by the Academic Honesty Guidelines adopted by Texas State University. The conduct below constitutes a violation of these guidelines. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action. Details of the University’s policy may be found in Hill Hints.
Taking of Information - Copying graded assignments from another student; working with another individual on homework when not specifically permitted to by the teacher; looking at another student’s paper during an examination.
NOTE: Students are encouraged to study together, but each written assignment submitted must be the student’s own work.
Tendering of Information - Giving one’s work to another student to be used or copied; giving someone answers to exam questions after taking the exam.
Plagiarism - Copying homework answers from published materials and handing them in as one’s own when requested by the teacher to present one’s own work; handing in a paper prepared by a term-paper service; turning in another person’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism is the failure to attribute words, ideas, or findings to their true author (s). In plagiarism, someone else’s work is submitted as that of the student. Plagiarism of published work violates copyright laws as well as standards of honesty and collegial trust.
Misrepresentation - Lying to or deceiving a teacher or other university officials to increase your grade.
Handouts, TRACS, and Other Teaching Assets: Your Texas State computer account will enable you to access this course via TRACS. Study Guides for tests, practice quizzes, text imagery, and other teaching assets (including links to sites containing useful information and imagery) are all available through TRACS. Should you misplace it, this syllabus including the general Critical Process handout will be available on TRACS as well. Make a point to activate your Texas State email account within the first two weeks of school, if you have not done so already.
Class Schedule
(syllabus and schedule subject to change)
Reading are to be completed before class begins
T. 8/30Introduction to class
TH. 9/1The Ancient World
R: Chapter 1 and Introduction
T. 9/6The Aegean & Archaic Greece, Homer
R: Chapter 2
DISCUSS PAPER ASSIGNMENT
TH. 9/8Greek Classicism and Hellenism, Greek Tragedy, Elgin Marbles
R: Chapter 3
R: print and bring article to class:
T. 9/13The Roman Period
R: Chapter 4
TH. 9/15The Early Middle Ages and the High Middle Ages
R: Chapters 7 and 8
T. 9/20Group exercise, material to be discussed chapters 3 and 4
TH. 9/22EXAM 1 chapters 1-8
T. 9/27The Early Renaissance
R: Chapter 9
TH. 9/29The High Renaissance and Mannerism
R: Chapter 10
First Critical Review Due (Art Exhibit)
T. 10/4The High Renaissance and Mannerism Cont.
R: Chapter 10
TH. 10/6Renaissance And Reformation in Northern Europe
R: Chapter 11
T. 10/11 The Baroque Age
R: Chapter 12
TH. 10/13The Enlightenment
R: Chapter 13
T. 10/18The Romantic Age
R: Chapter 14
TH. 10/20EXAM 2 chapters 9-14
T. 10/25 Realism, Photography, & Impressionism
R: Chapter 15
Second Critical Review Due (Formal Music Performance)
TH. 10/27Post-impressionism, Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Modern Architecture
R: Chapter 15
T. 11/1Van Gogh film screening
TH. 11/3Futurism, Suprematism, Dada, Surrealism
R: Chapter 16
FILM SCREENING: Luis Buñuel Un Chien Andalou (1926)
T. 11/8Early Modern Art in the US and Mexico: Abstraction, Murals, the Harlem Renaissance and Modern Architecture 2R: Chapter 16
TH. 11/10Abstract Expressionism, Happenings, Neo-Dada, and Pop Art
R: Chapter 17R: Allan Kaprow Happenings in the New York Scene (1961) on TRACS
T. 11/15Conceptual Art, Minimalism, Earth Art, Video Art
R: Chapter 17
Third Critical Review due (Theater or Dance)
TH. 11/17FILM SCREENING: The Maysles Brothers, Running Fence (1977)
T. 11/22Pluralism: Feminist Art and Other Discourses
R: Chapter 17
TH. 11/25 Thanksgiving Holiday
T. 11/29Photography, Painting, and No Wave: The 1980s in New York
R: Chapter 17
TH. 12/1Postmodernism: Monuments and Memorials
R: Chapter 17
T. 12/6 Complete Chapter 17
TH. 12/8 film/Last lecture class day
Thursday December 15th: Final Exam (Exam #3 chapter 15-17) time 8-10:30am
Class Attendance and Constructive Class Participation is Required.
You are responsible for sitting in your assigned seat and, on certain occasions, for signing the class roster.
Missing more than three classes will cause your grade to be lowered, you will not receive the 5 points for contribution. Six or more absences are grounds for automatically receiving an “F” in the School of Art and Design. Late arrival or leaving early will be tracked but he Student aid, four of these incidences will become an absence. Whether by seating chart or signed roll sheet, attendance may be taken at any time over the course of a class period and
may be taken more than once. Class Attendance and Constructive Class Participation count for no less than 5% of your overall class grade. Disruptive and disrespectful behavior of any kind has a corrosive effect on both the teaching and learning environment. Not only will such behavior be factored into that portion of your grade pertaining to constructive class participation, but certain types of behavior may also
warrant further action through student justice, in accordance with university guidelines. [More discussion of constructive class participation appears later in this syllabus.]
If you are a student with a disability who will require an accommodation(s) to participate in this course, please visit with me during my office hours or by special appointment as soon as possible. You will be asked to provide documentation from the Office of Disability Services. Failure to contact me in a timely manner may delay your accommodations.
Excused absences only apply to ones’ own documented illness, a death in ones’ immediate family, or a university sanctioned absence that your instructor signs off on in advance. Please remember that attendance of course lectures is part of taking a class such as this one. It also has an impact upon my ability to effectively deliver course material. For this reason attendance will be a factor in determining course grades, even for those whose absences would otherwise be “excused.” Regardless of the circumstances for missing or being late to class, you are still responsible for course content, including any in-class announcements. You are responsible for knowing, for example, whether or not there have been changes to the course schedule. In the extraordinary event that you miss a class please ask one of your peers for their lecture notes.
NOTE REGARDING ABSENCES BY CHOICE OR BY CIRCUMSTANCE:
It is your responsibility as university students and as adults to establish your own priorities. Should family or work-related issues take precedent over why you miss one or more of my lectures, you will not be personally judged for it. That said, if you are not there for my delivery of the lecture then you are not fully engaging course content. That, in turn, affects your performance and ability to focus on what’s at hand. In the end, I too am graded in terms of course outcomes.
COMMUNICATION:
I am approachable and especially enjoy engaging students about course content. That stated, I do not wish to hash out your absences, tardiness, past behavior-related issues as I’m getting ready for lecture. For that reason I encourage you connect on issues relating to record keeping with an assistant. For other matters email me or set up an appointment (best if by email) to meet during office hours. Please, when you email me, tell me which specific class you are in. (I teach a variety of art history courses). If office times don’t work for you I can often schedule special appointments.
In the mean time, we do our best to keep good records and be attentive regarding attendance, behavior and grades. When entering class participation grades at the end of the semester I look through those documents and determine the extent (if any) that a student’s circumstances warrant mitigating any penalty and what that should be.
ARRIVING LATE/LEAVING EARLY
Students who leave without previously notifying the instructor (in writing) may be counted as absent as will students who are in any way disruptive. Due to the distractions caused by tardiness and (ironically) student complaints concerning that growing problem, I consider arrival after the start of class time to be tardy and will count those students not seated at the start of class “late”
I do not accept late work of any kind. If an assignment is due in class it is due at the beginning of class not 5, 10, 15 minutes after. If you feel you might be late on a day a paper is due, you can email me a copy before the start of class to insure your paper is graded. DO NOT email me your paper otherwise. I will not accept it in email form without an excused absence. Do not email me to tell me you forgot the paper in your dorm, or any other excuse. Turn it in on time, printed out, in person or not at all.
If you arrive late on exam days I will not let you take the test. All pop quizzes will be given at the beginning of class. If you arrive late you will not be able to make up the quiz.
• Constructive Class Participation and Course Etiquette (continued):
Disruptive and disrespectful behavior of any kind has a corrosive effect on both the teaching and learning environment. Such behavior has no place in a university setting and will simply not be tolerated. Inappropriate behavior includes but is not limited to: talking in class, doing outside work (including reading), habitual or excessive lateness (or leaving early without notifying the instructor (in writing). Not only will such behavior be factored into that portion of your grade pertaining to constructive class participation, but certain types of behavior may warrant further action through student justice, and in accordance with university guidelines. If you find the behavior of one or more of your peers inappropriate or distracting please let me know in a timely fashion. You have a right to a distraction-free learning environment. Should you feel that course requirements seem unreasonable, you are encouraged to speak to me in person outside of class or take the matter up with our School’s Director. Doing so in a manner that is confrontational or disrespectful in tone will not, however, be tolerated and will have a negative impact on your grade.