Art in Early Modern Europe II

Course Details

Course Number: 4433  Section Number: 101

Fall 2010

Location: Fain Fine Arts Center

Classroom Number: C-111

Days & Times:

MWF 1-1:50

Course Attachments

Textbooks
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Nancy Steele English   
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Course Objectives

 

This course will present a multi-dimensional approach to European art, with reference to non-western art as it impacted western trends, during the nineteenth century.  Since history does not neatly conform to century-long periods, it will begin with the stirrings of revolution in France in the third quarter of the eighteenth century and will conclude with the Paris Exposition Universelle of 1900.  From the earliest discussion on “Enlightenment and the Call for a New Art” to fin de siècle Symbolism,it will touch upon a wide variety of collective and individual experience as Europe contends with the turbulence of revolution; the impact of industrialization, urbanization, and new technologies; the rise and dominance of the middle classes; social unrest; and the building of European supremacy.  It will reject the traditional focus on the ideas of “masters” and “masterpieces” in their role as instruments of the emerging art market.  It will consider the cultural significance of various forms of visual representation.  It will examine the multiplying theories upon which artistic activities were based and investigate the dynamic and frequently highly ambiguous relationships between official art and the avant-garde.

In this class students will learn to recognize and discuss

  • diverse trends in the visual arts: Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Historicism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau.
  • artists’ various exhibition opportunities.
  • the appearance and functions of art criticism and art history.
  • shifting patterns of artistic patronage.
  • the rise and significance of landscape painting.
  • industrialization, the development of mass media, a consumer culture and their impact on the visual arts and design.
  • the invention and importance of photography.
  • the modern, modernity, modernisms, the avant-garde.
  • the key players in European visual art from the 1770s to 1900.

 

Students will also acquire and use the appropriate vocabulary for literate discussion of the visual arts during this period.


Course Expectations

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

1. TEXTBOOK:  The required textbook for the course is Petra ten-Doesschate Chu, Nineteenth-Century European Art, 2nd edition (Pearson Prentice-Hall 2006).  Additional readings may be placed on reserve for you in Moffet Library.  Handouts may be provided when appropriate.

2.   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, call or email professor as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

a. Students are expected to be prompt.   Any student who is habitually late (more than three times) will be dropped (WF/F) by the professor. 

b. Students are expected to stay for the entire duration of the 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.

3. READINGS: Textbook (pages given in Course Outline), reserve material, recommended websites, and handouts.

4. PAPERS:  Each student is expected to engage in individual research on a topic or issue related to the scope of this class.  This research will culminate in a paper due as a finished, clean copy (hard copy and emailed word—text only—document) at the beginning of the last class, 3 December.  A working bibliography is due 24 September, and a one-page introduction, an outline, and an annotated bibliography are due 22 October (be aware that each of these four preparatory projects will be graded and therefore will effect the final grade of the paper).  Each student must meet individually with professor during office hours following each of these submissions.  A missed meeting or failure to meet a deadline—for any reason except serious illness, injury, or death in the family, including “the computer ate my paper, the printer was out of ink, etc.—will result in an automatic 10% deduction from the paper’s final grade. Papers must be 10-12 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  A list of suggested paper topics and a writing check list and style guide will be distributed.

5. EXAMINATIONS:  There will be a midterm, 15 October, and end-of term examination, 6 December.   Questions (including image identifications, short and longer essay responses) will be drawn from assigned readings and class lectures.


Grading Standards

 

Final grades will be determined on a 20.40.40 basis.  That is demonstrated understanding of the reading (assessed in part by occasional quizzes) will count 20%, the paper 40%, and the combined examinations 40% of the final grade.


Final Exam12/6/2010  

Submission Format PolicyNote: 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.

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.


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.