Summer Session Art History Survey I

Survey of Ancient through Medieval Art

ART 2350

Art Building, Rm 223

M-Th, 10:00-11:50

Dr. Mickey Abel

OFFICE: Art Building 213

e-mail:

Office hours: M-Th12:00-1:00 or by appt.

TA: LauraLeeBrott

TA can be reached through the BLACKBOARD email

TA office: Art Building 225

Textbook: Marilyn Stokstad, Art History, Volume I (any edition)

Additional readings will be posted on the BLACKBOARD/LEARN site

Course Description:

UNT Designated Option II: Cross Cultural, Diversity, and Global Studies

Course Objectives:

1. To understand the diversity of human cultures before the year 1500

2. To understand the relationships among the economic, social, political, environmental, and

symbolic systems of societies.

3. To analyze differences and commonalities across cultures.

4. To demonstrate interconnectedness of human experiences.

5. To develop the student’s critical thinking skills

This course will survey both Western and Non-western art from the earliest civilizations to the middle ages from a global point of view. We will use an historical chronology as our organizing structure. This structure will also provide the framework for cross-cultural comparisons and will help focus our analytical questions. The basic goal is to provide the student with a working knowledge of the major monuments of our world’s cultural endeavors. More importantly, our aim will be to explore the varying cultural explanations for an artifact’s production and its ability to disseminate a particular message or meaning within a specific historical/cultural context. How do the issues of production and meaning change over time and how do we understand or mis-interpret them from our modern point of view will be two reoccurring questions addressed throughout the duration of the class. Because our present culture is deluged with visual imagery, most of it absorbed in a passive state, the overriding goal in this analytical process will be to foster a critical approach as we develop our visual literacy. To further this process, we will “challenge the canon” as it has been defined by our textbook, asking questions such as: Does this text adequately address and exemplify the world’s cultural production? Or is it prejudiced in one direction or another? This will be the focus of the semester-long research/writing project.

Course Structure:

In order to facilitate the outlined objectives, the format of the class will be divided between introductory lectures and class discussions based on assigned readings. In addition there will be an on-going writing project designed to foster a critical understanding of the documentary value of historical artifacts—particularly those deemed to represent the “canon” as it is presented in traditional survey textbooks. This project is to be completed in three installments over the course of the semester. As an incremental assignment, the secondary goal of this project is to promote the student’s writing skills by focusing on the conveyance of a well-developed argument that has been structured on the close analysis of both written and visual sources.

Student Assessment:

Grades will be posted on the BLACKBOARD site assigned to our class.

IT IS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THEIR GRADES ON THE BLACKBOARD SITE TO INSURE THEY ARE RECORDED CORRECTLY.

Please notify the instructor immediately if you find a discrepancy between the recorded grade and the grade written on your returned assignment. No adjustments will be made without the original document.

The fundamental premise of the assessment policy is that an “A” represents extraordinary work. In other words, for the student to earn an “A” they must demonstrate extraordinary performance and effort in all aspects of the class—not simply scoring well on exams. To that end, the final grade is comprised of three components:

  1. Exams–Three exams worth 15% each ...... 45%

2. Writing Assignment–Three installments worth 15% each……...... 45%

3. Participation: Outside assignments, Homework,—10 total……………. 10%

Exams will be essay format. Image and data identification will be tested by way of a short quiz to be given before each exam. In terms of image identification, you will only be responsible for the images in your textbook. For study purposes all images shown in class will be posted on the BLACKBOARD site assigned to our class. The intent of the exams, however, is to allow you to demonstrate your ability to think beyond your memorization skills. You will be expected to apply what we have learned about an era or geographical area to all the images available from your textbook. You will not be responsible for the identification of these images on the Exam.

  • Pop quizzes--will be given on an occasional basis. They will be unannounced and will cover maps, time lines, and image identification. You can anticipate at least one before each exam. For study purposes, all material for these quizzes can be found in the textbook. Points earned on selected quizzes will be added to your exam grades.

Writing Assignment: There is one writing assignment for the semester, divided into three installments.This writing assignment is intended to foster critical thinking and develop the writing skills necessary to present a clear, logically organized, argumentative essay. Success will be based on these two criteria and assessed according to measurable progress. Specific instructions will be given in class. Due dates for the three (3) installments of this assignment are posted on the Semester Calendar.

  • Homework and Outside assignments will also be assigned, particularly if the in-class discussion lags–so speak up and add your comments and questions! These assignments may include research assignments, reviews of selected movies, and criticalanalyses of scholarly articles, reviews of gallery or museum exhibitions or site visitations. These opportunities will be announced in class and will be listed on the BLACKBOARD site.

Reading is also an on-going assignment. You should read the pages listed on your calendar before you come to class and be ready to discuss this material in conjunction with the lecture. The lectures will not cover all the material covered in the reading assignments. You will, for purposes of the exams, be responsible for all of the reading material—including extra readings posted on the BLACKBOARD site.

Attendance Policy:. Attendance contributes to your participation grade, which is a portion of the 10% of your final grade. It is not only hard to participate if you are not in class, but difficult to make an “A” if your overall grade is lowered by 10%. Attendance will be taken randomly at the will of the professor and in a variety of methods. The record of this attendance will be posted on the BLACKBOARD gradebook.

Policy on Quality of Written Work: The members of the art history faculty in the School of Visual Arts consider the ability of each student to write well to be extremely important. Therefore, your professor will evaluate your written work in terms of proper grammar, syntax, and spelling, as well as the clear and logical presentation of ideas and arguments.. Any student needing or desiring certain kinds of assistance or general support in matters of writing should visit the University Writing Center.

Cheating or Plagiarism Policy: Cheating and plagiarism are not tolerated by the University (or the professor) and will result in disciplinary action for academic misconduct. Any act of dishonesty is forbidden by the Code of Student Conduct and will be punished with a course grade of “F” plus a letter to the Dean of the School of Visual Arts andthe Dean of Students, who will investigate the matter further.

AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT:

The University of North Texas makes reasonable academic accommodation for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodation must first register with the Office of Disability Accommodation (ODA) to verify their eligibility. If a disability is verified, the ODA will provide you with an accommodation letter to be delivered to faculty to begin a private discussion regarding your specific needs in a course. You may request accommodations at any time, however, ODA notices of accommodation should be provided as early as possible in the semester to avoid any delay in implementation. Note that students must obtain a new letter of accommodation for every semester and must meet with each faculty member prior to implementation in each class. Students are strongly encouraged to deliver letters of accommodation during faculty office hours or by appointment. Faculty members have the authority to ask students to discuss such letters during their designated office hours to protect the privacy of the student. For additional information see the Office of Disability Accommodation website at You may also contact them by phone at 940.565.4323.

DISABILITIES ACCOMMODATION:

Please notify the instructor if you have a disability that requires accommodation. It is also recommended that youregister with the UNTOffice of Disability Accommodation, Student Union, Room 318. The College of Visual Artsand Design policy on accommodation is available upon request in the CVAD Dean’s offices, Room 107. Furtherquestions and problems on accommodation may be addressed to Associate Dean Eric Ligon, SchoolAccommodation Liaison, Art Building, Student Advising, Room 111.

COURSE RISK FACTOR: “According to University Policy, this course is classified as a category one course. Students enrolled in this course will not be exposed to any significant hazards and are not likely to suffer any bodily injury. Students will be informed of any potential health hazards or potential bodily injury connected with the use of any materials and/or processes and will be instructed how to proceed without danger to themselves or others.”

BUILDING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: In case of emergency (alarm will sound), please follow the building evacuation plans posted on each floor of your building and proceed to the nearest parking lot. In case of tornado (campus sirens will sound) or other weather related threat, please go to the nearest hallway or room on your floor without exterior windows and remain their until an all clear signal is sounded. Follow the instructions of your teachers and act accordingly.

CENTER FOR STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITES: The following statement reminds students of their rights and responsibilities within the academic community – “Each University of North Texas student is entitled to certain rights associated with higher education institutions. See for further information.”

The Professor retains the right to change the syllabus with or without notice.

*****Please also note:

The last exam will be given on the last regular day of class.

There will not be a cumulative “Final” exam given during Finals week.

There will be NO make-up exams without a Dr.’s excuse.

Class Schedule

SECTION I: The Ancient World

Week One,

Monday, July 7

  • Introduction to the Class
  • Prehistoric Art in Europe (Chapter 1)
  • Art of the Ancient Near East (Chapter 2)

Tuesday, July 8

  • Cycladic Art (Chapter 4)
  • Early Aegean—Minoan (Chapter 4)
  • Mycenaean (Chapter 4)

Wednesday, July 9

  • Egypt (Chapter 3)

Thursday July 10

  • Film/Writing Project--Troy

Week Two,

Monday, July 14

  • Ancient India (Chapter 9)
  • Ancient China (Chapter 10)
  • Ancient Japan (Chapter 11)

Tuesday, July 15

  • Etruscans (Chapter 6)
  • Americas--The Olmec (Chapter 12

Wednesday, July 16

****EXAM I****

SECTION II—The Classical World

  • Classical Greece (Chapter 5)

Thursday, July 17

  • Classical Greece, continued (Chapter 5)
  • Hellenistic Greece: The World of Alexander the Great (Chapter 5)
  • Classical Middle East: Assyria, Babylon, and Persia, (Chapter 2)

Week Three

Monday, July 21

  • Classical India: Buddhism (Chapter 9)
  • Classical Americas: Teotihuacan (Chapter 12)

Tuesday, July 22

  • Classical Rome (Chapter 6)
  • Christian Rome, Constantine’s World (Chapter 6 and 7)

Wednesday, July 23

Movie/Writing Assignment: Alexander

Thursday, July 24

Museum Day—Details to be announced in class

Week Four

Monday, July 28

****Exam II****

SECTION III The Medieval World

  • Byzantine World (Chapter 7)

Tuesday, July 29

  • Islam (Chapter 8)

Wednesday, July 30

  • Medieval India: Hinduism (Chapter 9)
  • Medieval Americas, The Maya (Chapter 12)
  • Medieval China, (Chapter 10)

Thursday, July 31

  • The Romanesque (Chapter 15)

Week Five

Monday, August 4

  • The Gothic (Chapter 16)

Tuesday, August 5

  • The Gothic, continued

Wednesday, August 6

  • Movie/Writing Assignment: The Kingdom of Heaven

Thursday, August 7

****Exam III****

Last day to turn in writing assignments

Sign and return this form.

SYLLABUS CONTRACT FOR ART 2350

I have read this syllabus. I agree to comply with all of the provisions it describes. I understand that failing to abide by the provisions described in the syllabus will have a serious and detrimental effect on my grade.

I understand that poor attendance will have a serious and detrimental effect on my grade at the instructor’s discretion.

By taking this course, I agree not to commit acts of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, cheating, and failing to cite sources. I understand that any act of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of “F” in the course. I further understand that Dr. Abel will pursue disciplinary actions against me with the College of Visual Arts and Design and the University of North Texas should I commit any act of academic dishonesty.

I understand that failing to complete any of the exams, papers, or assignments will result in a grade of “F” in the course, regardless of the points I have accumulated.

Name
EUID: ______/ Signature / Date