Art Appreciation (ARTS 104)

CCBC Catonsville

School of Applied and Information Technology

The Institute of Art, Design, and Interactive Media

ARTS 104, Section: C6O

ARTS 104 – 3 credits – Art Appreciation introduces students to visual art and the importance it plays in everyday life. This course will require students to think critically about art, the role individuals play in defining art, and how art relates to the societal values of contemporary and historical cultures. Students will visit a museum as part of this course.

3 credits; 3 lecture hours per week

Prerequisite: RDNG 052 and ENGL 052

NOTE: 53062, ARTS 104 C6O is a traveling course that will meet 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, and 7/13 from 10:10 – 4:15. Each class will include a trip to a museum or gallery.

BASIC COURSE INFORMATION

• Instructor: Sarada Conaway (sounds like Shar a da)
• Spring 2012
• Instructor’s office: Q225, CCBC Catonsville
• Instructor’s contact information: sconaway@ccbcmd.edu (443) 840-4699
• Administrative contact: Ann Aldrich AAldrich@ccbcmd.edu
• Class times: Friday 10:10 to 4:15
• Course meeting place: Catonsville Campus, Building Q, room 305
• Course website http://saradaconaway.wordpress.com
• Instructor’s office hours: Thursdays, 11:00 to 1:00, and by appointment.
• The instructor is also available via email, but allow approximately one business day for a reply. Please use email for clarification, to ask for assistance, or for similar tasks. Please begin all email communication with a standard greeting, followed by the purpose of your email. For example, clarify if you are writing simply to inform or to make a request. Assignments are not accepted via email. Please do send emails with attachments. Instructor mailbox storage limits are small.

COURSE GOALS

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

• formulate a definition of art that students can identify with their daily experiences;
• develop a basic vocabulary pertaining to the visual arts;
• compare and contrast culturally specific definitions of art;
• define formal elements in works of art;
• identify the differences between various media, disciplines, and periods;
• analyze the historical and cultural influences that affect the art of at least 5 instructor selected cultures;
• define roles including artist, critic, curator, consumer, patron, and appreciator;
• compare and contrast the major art movements, art works, or artists of two student selected cultures in an essay;
• apply theories of art criticism;
• analyze influences of art in politics, social communities, and the business world;
• examine how art has evolved in at least 5 instructor selected cultures;
• speculate on how art might evolve in the future;
• analyze the impact of technological innovations that have been integrated as new tools by historic and contemporary artists.

Major Topics

• Definitions of art in at least 5 instructor-selected cultures from a minimum of 3 continental regions
• Art categories including fine art, functional art, and popular art in at least 2 instructor- selected cultures
• Systems for evaluating art in at least 2 instructor-selected cultures
• Formal qualities including color, line, perspective, shape, and composition
• Formal qualities including mass, texture, motion, and scale
• Cultural styles from at least 5 instructor selected cultures from a minimum of 3 continental regions
• Two-dimensional disciplines including
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Photography
• Three-dimensional disciplines including
  • Architecture
  • Sculpture
  • Ceramics
  • Fiber arts
  • Assemblage
  • Performance art
  • Conceptual art
  • Installation
• Time-based disciplines including
  • Film
  • Interactive media
• Art criticism including aesthetics, formalism, cultural analysis, biographical analysis, and psychoanalytic interpretation
• The role of art schools, galleries, museums, and alternative spaces in at least 2 instructor-selected cultures
• The roles of artist, patron, critic, consumer, and appreciator in at least 2 instructor- selected 2 cultures
• The human figure in art from at least 5 instructor-selected cultures from a minimum of 3 continental regions
• Religious and spiritual art from at least 5 instructor-selected cultures from a minimum of 3 continental regions

Rationale/Instructor’s Statement

I hope that all students, regardless of their major or individual interests, will find this course valuable. Therefore, I will focus primarily on working with you to develop those skills and abilities that you can apply to many areas of your life.

ARTS 104 is a general education course designed to improve skills that can be applied to any field of study. In this course, you will regularly practice your communication skills. Even if you are already an accomplished writer, you will find many opportunities to improve your communication skills in ARTS 104. Writing about visual art is particularly challenging.

ARTS 104 is also a diversity course, designed to enhance cultural appreciation. This semester, you will examine how art relates to world cultures. You will also critically examine how art relates to your own culture. You will exit this class with an increased ability to appreciate and interact in our diverse world.

ARTS 104 is a course that emphasizes critical thinking. This term, you will practice approaching works of art as a critical thinker. As this is also particularly challenging, even experienced critical thinkers will find an opportunity to grow in ARTS 104. Increased critical thinking skills will help you navigate any area of your life.

In addition, I hope that you will exit this class able to truly appreciate more works of art. If we are successful in this goal, this course will provide you with life enrichment and enjoyment.

EVALUATION

Course Requirements

• Two tests
• One 3-5 page research and writing paper
• Two oral presentations
• Visit museums and galleries

*In order to successfully fulfill the course requirements, you will need to devote approximately 12 hours outside of class each week. This ratio, 1 class hour to 2 homework hours, is a standard that accredited colleges must meet. This course is condensed into a 6 week schedule. Usually, this course is taught in 16 weeks. Be advised that it is remarkably easy to fall behind in a condensed course. Please begin working on your assignments immediately and complete them ahead of schedule. Procrastination can be detrimental in this course.

Instructor’s grading policy

Grades follow the standard system: A, B, C, D, and F. Seven components will be used to evaluate your grade in this course:

• Test 1 (20 points possible)
• Test 2 (20 points possible)
• Research Project Part 1 (10 points possible)
• Research Project Part 2 (10 points possible)
• Research Project Part 2 (20 points possible)
• Walter’s Museum Presentation (10 points possible)
• Art 21 Presentation (10 points possible)
• Course Contribution Extra Credit (5 points possible)

*For detailed information on grading criteria, see individual assignments.

Course Contribution Extra Credit

All students are expected to participate in all class discussions and work sessions. For students that go above and beyond in their participation, extra credit is awarded. To earn extra credit for your course contribution, volunteer in class to conduct research in response to a class discussion question and post this information on the course blog or present this information to the class. The standard outlined in your research project for source quality and citation style is also required for extra credit work.

Departmental Attendance Policy

• Attendance is required. If a student should miss 1 class, they must schedule a conference with the instructor and their final course grade will be lowered one full letter grade. If a student should miss 2 classes, they are not eligible to pass the class.
• If you are absent due to very legitimate reasons, such as hospitalization, it is advised that you save any and all documentation. Your grade of F or W (withdrawal) might affect your financial aid status and/or academic standing. You may need to turn in documentation to apply for a retroactive withdrawal, to appeal suspension of your financial aid, or to appeal academic probation or suspension.

Late Arrival Policy

Due to the special traveling nature of this course, it is particularly important that you arrive for class on time. The van can’t wait. Thus, you might miss an entire class if you arrive late. It is recommended that you plan to arrive on campus well before class begins so that if you encounter a traffic jam, parking trouble, or late bus, you will still be able to arrive for class on time. It is also recommended that you create an alternate transportation plan so that you are prepared should your usual mode of transport become unavailable.

Each time you arrive after 10:10, your total course grade will be reduced by 3 points.

Snow / Cancellation Policy

College closings and cancellations are posted on the college website as well as through campus alert. It is also recommended that you check the instructor’s website for any additional information on your class should a cancellation affect your course. The official CCBC snow policy states if the college has an early closing, then classes resume until the college closes (e.g. If a class is scheduled from 5-8pm, and the college closes at 6pm, you will be expected at your class at 5-6pm). Weather is not considered an excused absence if a class is not completely cancelled. It is your responsibility to check on the status of delays/cancellations and attend class accordingly.

Materials

“Art 101, Understanding Visual Artforms in Our World” by Kimberly Anderson Jenny Carson (bring to each class, you will need this on our field trips to take notes in museums)

a paper note-taking device and pencil (bring to each class, you will need this on our field trips to take notes in museums)

visits to on and off-campus libraries

access to a digital camera (this does not need to be a high quality camera, you will only need this for the final Art 21 PowerPoint presentation assignment)

Calendar

Follow link on this blog to ARTS 104 Calendar

Course-Related Policies and Procedures

Policies will follow those outlined by The Community College of Baltimore County. The following additional policies apply to this class:

• I ask you all to contribute to our class group dynamic by always behaving in a respectful and engaged manner. The following guidelines describe and define appropriate behavior in this course. First and foremost, you are required to simply stay awake. Also, so that your attentions are not divided while in class, do not text, talk on your cell phone, or use your laptop. While in museums, please obey all their rules and regulations. Usually, museums enforce a “no touch” policy. Unless it is specifically noted, assume that you are not allowed to touch the artwork. Do not eat or drink in a museum unless it is explicitly noted that it is allowed. The rules on photography will vary from museum to museum. If you all consistently adhere to this standard of conduct, we will not be kicked out of a museum, and our class dynamic will likely be positive, lively, and enjoyable. Students that do not behave in a respectful and engaged manner will be removed from class.
• Only students enrolled in ARTS 104 may attend class.
• Work that is one week late will be accepted, but reduced one letter grade. Work that is more than one week late will not be accepted.
• Assignments are not accepted via email.
• Plagiarism is a violation of academic integrity. It is defined in the CCBC code of conduct, section 13 n, as “the use of words or ideas of another source without giving credit to that source”. In this course, your instructor will impose all standard sanctions for plagiarism. If the evidence of an act of plagiarism is convincing, you will receive an F in this course. In addition to failure of this course, your instructor will report the incident. Once reported, the college may impose additional sanctions such as suspension or expulsion. For further information, see the CCBC Code of Conduct.

College-Wide Policies

For college wide syllabus policies such as the Code of Conduct related to Academic Integrity and Classroom Behavior or the Audit/ Withdrawal policy, please go to the Syllabus Tab on the MyCCBC page.

Change Notice

This syllabus may be changed at any time with notification.