art 160, introduction to visual culture

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Art 160 satisfies General Education competencies in Category 6 (Humanities and the Arts) and Category 8 (Global Perspective).

This course aims to introduce you to a wide selection of art from around the world and the variety of methods by which art is customarily understood. It is also designed to explore the relationship between art history and history, between art objects and key episodes in political, social, and intellectual history. I want to help you achieve what I call a "critical awareness" of art and build a vocabulary with which you can describe artistic media and elements of style. This is an equal opportunity classroom in the presentation of ideas and issues raised by artists. It is important for you to understand that artists create works that become either personal or societal documents of a certain moment in their lives. Some of these issues may make you feel uncomfortable because of their unfamiliarity. Some works may make you challenge your belief systems. (This, by the way, is a characteristic that good art and a good college education have in common.) I recommend that you maintain an open mind and avoid rash judgments based on the artists' race, gender or sexual orientation.

REQUIRED TEXT: Lois Fichner-Rathus, Understanding Art (fifth edition).

Here is a good reason to come to class. There is no "perfect" textbook (in my opinion) for this course. This particular text is what I call "uneven..." by that I mean that in places it is much too general and in others it is too detailed and specific for a course at this level. My job during classtime is to adjust for those imperfections by providing more or less detail, as needed. In short, while you need to read the material, it is not a substitute for class attendance. So, during class, you will find out what is "testable" and what is not. (For instance, you will not need to know dates.) My recommendation is that you complete the reading assignments after the material has been covered in class, completing the corresponding pages in the study guide before each exam (they will not be cumulative). I will not test you on material that is in the book that was not discussed in class. I will test you on material that was covered in class but is not in the book. Things that were covered both in the book and in class represent "Minimum Objectives" — or, in other words, the most basic information. Knowing only this amount will result in a "pass" with a "C"

I will make available photocopies of the lecture outlines that will appear on the overheads during class. Purchasing these copies is NOT required; if you choose to use them they may make taking notes easier (because there will be less writing for you to do).

I understand that it has become fashionable to delay purchasing textbooks until the middle of the quarter or later, if possible. Please either buy the textbook before the first exam or make arrangements to "share" a book or photocopies with others in the class. The bookstore will return books that are not purchased after about a month. I will not be able to lend you a copy of the book or excuse poor test performances on the basis that you do not have the textbook and study guide.

Your success in this course will be directly proportional to your "ownership" of the material. I am here to guide you in your study of this material and in your development of abilities (like written and oral communication) that you will need in the "real world". I have provided readings and review materials that you may use to learn the material and to earn extra credit in some instances. Please take responsibility for your education, if for no other reason than the fact that you're paying for it. When you come to my office to discuss a grade on a test or assignment, bring the notes that you've been taking in class and on the reading assignments. This will help me diagnose potential problems more quickly and ultimately help me help you to achieve in this course. Every attempt will be made to accommodate qualified students with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability, please see me as early in the semester as possible to discuss the necessary accommodations, and/or contact the Disability Services Office at (507) 389-2825 (V) or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).

Incompletes shall be granted only in accordance with Minnesota State University policy as described in the student handbook. Students requesting an incomplete must have completed the majority of the work required for the course with a passing grade and have a compelling reason for requesting the incomplete.

• Test 1 (on chapters 1-5) 100 points
• Test 2 (on chapters 6-9) 100 points
• Test 3 (on chapters 10-14) 100 points
• Test 4 (on chapters 15-18) 100 points

POINT SCALE CUTOFFS: (Because of extra-credit available to you in this class, these cutoffs are "absolute," meaning that you MUST have EXACTLY this many points to get the grade.)

• 360-400 points A
• 320-359 points B
• 280-319 points C (if registered pass/fail you must have 284 points for a "P")
• 240-279 points D
• below 240 F

I don't specifically require that you complete all of the tests/assignments if you're registered pass/fail, but I will calculate a zero for anything you decide to skip.... so skip only after you've done the math!

TEST FORMAT

There will be a variety of questions on the tests, including matching and multiple choice. I will always make you aware of exactly how the test is constructed beforehand. Make sure you bring a #2 pencil to class on test days for computer scored exams. You will find sample examination questions in the back of the course packet. The final exam is not cumulative.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATION POLICY

Make-up examinations will be given only with excused absences (as per MSU policy). Acceptable documentation must be written (doctor's note, obituary). If you must miss an exam due to your illness or the death of a relative, contact me directly (389-6525) or leave a message for me by telephoning the Art Department office (389-6412) before the exam (or immediately after the exam in emergencies, no later than 24 hours after the exam period). Otherwise you will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for an examination without an excused absence. Make-up examinations (or early-examinations) consist of essays only. Keep this in mind when you decide whether or not to pursue a change in the examination schedule.

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES

Extra-credit opportunities may be made available. They will be announced in class and will be valid only at the times offered. No late extra credit papers will be accepted.

LATE WORK POLICY

Papers are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted on the course schedule or announced in class. Late assignments will be marked down one full letter grade for each business day the paper is late. Papers turned in on the due date but after the beginning of class (which means you must be on time!) will be marked down one half of letter grade. This policy applies to all written work, whether required or optional. Note that if any paper is more than three days late it will be practically impossible to achieve a passing score on that assignment.

COURSE SCHEDULE The lecture outlines available in the bookstore consists of reproductions of the information shown on the overhead projector, and, for tests 3 &4, a slidelist of works covered in class. You may want to take your class notes directly on the pages provided.

• introduction to the course
• purposes of art, style of art (ch. 1)
• elements of art (ch. 2)
• elements of composition (ch. 2)
• content, other issues
• TEST ONE... bring a #2 pencil to class, a scantron sheet will be provided
• drawing, painting (ch. 3, ch. 4)
• printmaking (ch. 5)
• sculpture, architecture (ch. 6, ch. 7)
• photography, film, video (ch. 8)
• craft, design (ch. 9)
• TEST TWO... bring a #2 pencil to class, a scantron sheet will be provided
• Prehistoric Art (ch. 10), Oceanic, Ancient Americas (ch. 18)
• Egyptian Art, Greek Art (ch. 11)
• Roman Art (ch. 11)
• Christian Art (ch. 12); Islamic Art, Indian Art (ch. 18)
• Renaissance Art (ch. 13)
• Baroque Art (ch. 14)
• Rococo Art (ch. 14); Chinese Art (ch. 18)
• TEST 3... bring a #2 pencil to class, a scantron sheet will be provided
• Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism (ch. 15); Native American Art (ch. 18)
• Impressionism (ch. 15); Japanese Art (ch. 18)
• Postimpressionism (ch. 15); Expressionism (ch. 16)
• Cubism (ch. 16); African Art (ch. 18)
• Dada/Surrealism (ch. 16), Abstract Expressionism (ch. 17)
• Minimalism, Op & Pop (ch. 17)
• Postmodern Trends
• Postmodern Trends
• TEST 4.. (DURING FINAL EXAM PERIOD) bring a #2 pencil to class, a scantron sheet will be provided