VISUAL ARTS IN CIVILIZATION
ART 151, SECTION 401
SPRING 2006

SYLLABUS

UNIT 1 The Nature of Art
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part One: Learning to See, Chapter 1.
Focus: The nature of art, the various roles that art and artists play, their cultural settings and the response of the viewer.
Presentations: The Nature of Art / Awareness, Creativity and Communication / Types of Art / The Basics

UNIT 2 The Language of Art
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part One: Learning to See, Chapters 2, 3.
Focus: The elements of art structure and the principles of arrangement.
Presentations: The Elements of Art Structure / The Principles of Arrangement / Style and Criticism

UNIT 3 Two-Dimensional Media: Drawing, Painting and Printmaking
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part Two: Two-Dimensional Media and Methods, Chapter 4, 5, 6.
Focus: The tools and processes involved in a variety of 2-D media such as drawing, painting, and printmaking.
Presentations: Two-Dimensional Arts

UNIT 4 Two-Dimensional Media: Graphic Design, Camera Arts and Digital Media
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part Two: Two-Dimensional Media and Methods, Chapter 7, 8, 9.
Focus: The tools and processes involved in graphic design, photography, film, computer imagery and the Internet.
Presentations: Camera Arts, Film and Digital Arts

UNIT 5 Three-Dimensional Media: Sculpture, Crafts, Product and Clothing Design
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part Three: Three-Dimensional Media and Methods, Chapter 10, 11, 12.
Focus: Materials and methods of the sculptural and installation artists, as well as crafts artists, product and clothing designers.
Presentations: Three-Dimensional Arts

UNIT 6 Three-Dimensional Media: Architectural and Environmental Design
Reading: The Art of Seeing , Part Three: Three-Dimensional Media and Methods, Chapter 13, 14.
Focus: Basic architectural structures and the design of living environments.
Presentations: Architecture

UNIT 7 Primitive to Post-Modern: A Survey of the Development of Space over Time
Focus: Understanding origins and development of the history of art.

UNIT 8 Art Historical Themes: Major Creative Themes in Art History
Focus: Understanding how artists approach common themes with varied approaches.

UNIT 9 Movements in Art History.
Focus: Understanding the nature and importance major movements in modern art.
Presentations: Modern Art Movements

UNIT 10 Course Review
Focus: Summarizing the semester, review for final, course evaluation.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Papers / Presentations:
1. Introductory essay – “What makes ‘art’ art?”
2. Critique: Structure vs. Cultural Insight
3. Final Project (choice)

Projects: Hands-on creative projects in sketchbook.

Exercises: A range of in-class projects and exercises.

Quizzes: Are not announced and given on a regular basis to verify that assigned reading.

Art Forum: Students are required to attend a minimum of four arts events outside of class.
* View Upcoming Art Forum Events.

Final Exam: Administered during final exam week and covers material presented in the course.