ART Appreciation

Course Details

Course Number: 1413  Section Number: 101 & 102

Fall 2010

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: C-111

Days & Times:

MWF 9-9:50, 11-11:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Nancy Steele English   
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Course Objectives

The purpose of this course is to increase students' awareness of the many-faceted fields of art and art history.  It will investigate the scope and nature of the visual arts, provide students with the necessary skills and tools for analysis, and introduce aesthetics, theory history and criticism.

In this class students will learn to

  • Define and think about art on a global scale.
  • Identify and effectively analyze artists’ uses of the elements of art (line, shape/mass/volume, space, value, color, texture, pattern, time, and motion) and the principles of design (balance, emphasis and focal point, scale and proportion, rhythm and repetition, variety and unity).
  • Understand the distinctions between subject and subject matter, form and content.
  • Realize that content is always informed by context.
  • Appreciate style as the shaper of form.
  • Recognize and discuss the use of traditional and non-traditional media within the various art disciplines.
  • Understand and communicate effectively the function and purpose of art within diverse human communities throughout time and across the globe, particularly as these works were intended to address basic human needs.

Course Expectations

1.  CThe text                The required text is Margaret Lazzari and Dona Schlesier, Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 3rd Edition, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, inc., 2008.   Students are expected to use the companion website found at http://www.cengage.com/highered/.  Select Humanities & Social Sciences; select Arts and Humanities; select Intro to Art/Art Appreciation; select Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 3rd Edition—student—companion site. Additional handouts may be provided when appropriate. The following web resource is global in scope and recommended: http://witcombe.sbc.edu/ARTHLinks.html

         1.  CLASS ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY.  THERE ARE NO FREE CLASS CUTS!!!!! Information given in lectures is an essential part of the course and cannot be duplicated in make-up reading.  Take careful and complete notes during each lecture.  If class is missed due to illness or emergency, borrow lecture notes from a classmate.  If you have any questions or if problems arise, contact professor as soon as possible at 397-4606 (office) to schedule an appointment.

 a.  Students are expected to be prompt.   Any student who is habitually (3 times) late to class will be dropped (WF/F) by the instructor

b.  Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of a class.  An (unexcused) early departure will constitute an absence.

 c.  Students are expected to remain alert.  Napping (do not put your head down on the desk), working on other material, texting, surfing the web, reading the paper, engaging in private conversation, etc., will constitute an absence and students will be asked to leave class.  CELL PHONES/PAGERS or OTHER ELECTRONIC GIZMOS MUST BE TURNED OFF AND KEPT OUT OF SIGHT DURING CLASS PERIODS.                    

         2.  Reading: textbook (pages given in Course Outline), recommended websites, and handouts.

         3.  Examinations: Three examinations (no comprehensive final).  Information for the exams will come from three sources: class lectures, the textbook, and its companion website.  Students who receive an ‘A’ (90-100%) on each of the first two examinations will be exempt from the third.  However, these students are required to attend all classes until the end of the semester.  If any classes are missed, the third examination must be taken.  NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN.

         4.  In addition, each student will be writing from one to three short (approx. 500-750 word) papers and/or participating in a class project/projects that address a particular question or issue relative to the field of the visual arts.  Students will select from or be assigned questions posed by the professor.


Grading Standards

The final grade will be computed on a 25.25.25.25 basis.  That is, each of the examination grades will count 25 % of your final grade.  The paper/papers and/or project/projects together will count 25%.


Final Exam12/6/2010  9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

Submission Format Policy


Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

 

         NOTE WELL:  Promptness, class attendance, assigned readings and the satisfactory completion of the paper/project(s) are the responsibility of each student.  Needless to say you are also expected to remain alert and focused during every class. More than three unexcused absences or tardiness will result in an automatic F for the course.   Excuses along with the necessary documentation must be presented to the professor immediately following a tardiness/absence.  If a student fails to do this, FOLLOWING THE FOURTH ABSENCE, SHE WILL BE DROPPED (WF/F) BY THE INSTRUCTOR.  All students are responsible for maintaining their own attendance record; the number or dates of tardiness or of classes missed will not be provided by the professor.  No reminders will be sent or given.


Other Policies

 

Please note that the last day to withdraw from the course without penalty is 10 October 2010.  Please review the university’s policies and procedures regarding dropping a course in the MSU Undergraduate Bulletin.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.