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General Studies

AHIST 1401 Art History

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AHIST 1401 ART HISTORY

Syllabus

Prerequisites: None.

Course Description:

This survey course in Western Art History will explore art as a cultural production. This introduction to the academic discipline will familiarize students with major movements and styles of art as well as the various media and purposes of artistic production. The relationship of the visual arts and the individual artist to their society and culture will also be explored.

Required Textbook and Materials:

There is no main textbook for this course. Links to reading assignments can be found within the individual Learning Guides for each unit. All resources are free and accessible via the internet.

Software Requirements/Installation

No special software is required outside of an internet browser.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes:

By completing this course, students will be able to:

  • examine Western Art History as it is linked to historical events, intellectual history, as well as scientific and cultural trends.
  • recognize key works of art, their artists, styles, media, intent and public response.
  • apply a working knowledge of the specialized vocabulary used in Art History.
  • demonstrate appropriate visual literacy and critical thinking skills.

Course Schedule and Topics

This course will cover the following topics in eight learning sessions, one unit per week.

Unit 1- Introduction: What is art, how do we study art?
Unit 2- The Foundations of Western Art: Ancient Greece and Rome
Unit 3- The Middle Ages: The fall of the Roman Empire, Romanesque and Gothic
Unit 4 - Revival and Rebirth in Europe: The Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo
Unit 5- Art of Revolution: Neoclassicism and Romanticism
Unit 6- The Roots of Modern Art: Realism, Photography and Impressionism
Unit 7- Modernism: 1900 to 1950
Unit 8 - Contemporary Art, 1950 to now: Redefining what art is.
Unit 9 - Review and Final Exam

Study Guide

This course is conducted entirely via the University of the People Online Campus (http://my.uopeople.edu). The following describes the weekly tasks, activities and suggested best practices for students to follow in completing this course.

Unit 1: Introduction: What is art, how do we study art? 

Tasks:

  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Complete and submit Unit 1 Assignment
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz


Unit 2: The Foundations of Western Art: Ancient Greece and Rome

Tasks:

  • Peer-Assess Unit 1 Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Complete and submit Unit 2 Assignment
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz

Unit 3: The Middle Ages: The fall of the Roman Empire, Romanesque and Gothic

Tasks:

  • Peer-Assess Unit 2 Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take both the Self (Practice) Quiz and the Graded Quiz


Unit 4: Revival and Rebirth in Europe: The Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo

Tasks:

  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Complete and submit Unit 4 Assignment
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz


Unit 5: Art of Revolution: Neoclassicism and Romanticism

Tasks:

  • Peer-Assess Unit 4 Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Complete and submit Unit 5 Assignment
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz


Unit 6: The Roots of Modern Art: Realism, Photography and Impressionism

Tasks:

  • Peer-Assess Unit 5 Assignment
  • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
  • Participate in the Discussion Forum
    • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
  • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
  • Take both the Self (Practice) Quiz and the Graded Quiz


    Unit 7: Modernism: 1900 to 1950

    Tasks:

    • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
    • Participate in the Discussion Forum
      • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
    • Complete and submit Unit 7 Assignment
    • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
    • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz


      Unit 8 : Contemporary Art, 1950 to now: Redefining what art is.

      Tasks:

      • Peer-Assess Unit 7 Assignment
      • Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
      • Participate in the Discussion Forum
        • Post your response, comment on and rate at least three of your classmates’ responses
      • Make entries to the Learning Journal, including any required tasks
      • Take the Self (Practice) Quiz

        Unit 9: Review and Final Exam
        Tasks:

        • Prepare for final exam by completing the review quiz
        • Take the final examination.
          • The final exam will take place at the end of Week 9. (Exact date and other details will be announced by the instructor in advance of the exam date.)

         

        Course Requirements

        Assignments
        There is an Assignment to be completed for each of the study units in this course. You will be required to upload your assignments by the indicated deadline and in addition, to assess three of your classmates’ assignments according to the instructions provided. Failure to submit assignments may result in failure of the course.

        Discussion Forum
        There are Discussion Forum questions to be completed for each study unit in this course. In each unit, you will be required to post your response to the question in the forum. In addition, you must provide constructive commentary on at least three of your peers’ postings and rate their work between one and five according the guidelines provided.

        Discussion Forums are only active for the relevant learning week and it is not possible to contribute to a discussion forum once the learning week has come to an end. Failure to participate in the Discussion Forums may result in failure of the course.

        Course Forum
        The Course Forum is the place to raise issues and questions relating to the course. It is monitored by the instructors. It is a good place to meet fellow students taking the same course. While it is not required to participate in this forum, it is highly recommended.

        Classroom Forum
        The Classroom Forum is a small forum available only to students in the same classroom or group. Participation in this forum is an excellent way to get to know your peers and is also a platform for raising issues and questions relating to the course. While it is not required to participate in this forum, it is highly recommended.

        Learning Journal
        The Learning Journal is a tool for self-reflection on the learning process. In addition to completing directed tasks, you should use the Learning Journal to document your activities, record problems you may have encountered and to draft answers for Discussion Forums and Assignments. The Learning Journal should be updated regularly (on a weekly basis), as the learning journals will be assessed by your instructor as part of your Final Grade.

        Quizzes
        For each unit of work, there is a self-quiz consisting of objective questions (multiple choice, matching, and true/false). You will have multiple attempts to take the quiz and improve your results. The results of the self-quiz do not count towards your Final Grade. It is recommended that you complete the self-quiz to ensure that you have adequately understood the course materials.
        For two units (Typically 3 and 6), there is a graded quiz. The format of the quizzes is similar to that of the self-quiz and consists of objective questions. It is a maximum of one hour in duration and is graded electronically.


        Final Examination
         The Final Examination takes place following the completion of eight units of work. The format of the Final Exam is similar to that of the self-quiz and consists of objective questions. It is a maximum of 75 minutes in duration and is graded electronically. Specific instructions on how to prepare for and take the Final Exam will be provided during Week 8 (located inside the Unit 9 Learning Guide). Final Exams must be taken without the use of course learning materials (both those inside and outside the course). If particular materials are allowed for use during the exam, these will be noted in the exam’s instructions.

        Policies

        Grading
        The University has established the following grading scale. All faculty members are expected to comply with this scale:

        Grade Scale Grade Points
        A+ 98-100 4.00
        A 93-97 4.00
        A- 90-92 3.67
        B+ 88-89 3.33
        B 83-87 3.0
        B- 80-82 2.67
        C+ 78-79 2.33
        C 73-77 2.00
        C- 70-72 1.67
        D+ 68-69 1.33
        D 63-67 1.00
        D- 60-62 0.67
        F Under 60 0.00


        Grades will be based on a standard 100-point scale with the following values and ranges:

        Grading Components and Weights

        Learning Journal 20%
        Written Assignments 5%
        Discussion Forums 5%
        Quizzes 30%
        Final Exam 40%


        Grade Appeal
        Final Grades may be appealed when you believe that the grade you have been assigned for a course is unjust or unfair. For more information on the Grade Appeal procedure, please refer to the Student Handbook.

        Participation
        Non-participation is characterized by lack of assignment submission and/or inadequate contribution in discussion forum postings.

        • Assignments must be submitted on or before the deadline. A course timeline is provided in the course schedule. The instructor will specify the deadline for each assignment.
        • Occasionally there may be a legitimate reason for submitting an assignment late. Most of the time late assignments will not be accepted, and there will be no make-up assignments. Students should review the Late Assignment Policy appearing in the Student Handbook.

        Any student showing non-participation for 2 weeks (consecutive or non-consecutive) is likely to automatically fail the course.

        All students are obligated to inform their instructor in advance of any known absences which may result in their non-participation.

        Academic Honesty and Integrity
        When submitting your work, it is essential to reference all source material. Failure to properly acknowledge your sources is known as ‘plagiarism’. This is effectively passing off an individual’s words or ideas as your own. University of the People adheres to a strict policy of academic honesty. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in sanctions by the university, including dismissal from the university or course failure. Please review the Student Handbook for more information on this topic.

        Unless otherwise stated, any materials cited in this course should be referenced using the style guidelines established by the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA format is widely used in colleges and universities across the world and is one of several style and citation formats required for publication in professional and academic journals. Purdue University’s Online Writing LAB (OWL) is a free website that provides excellent information and resources for understanding and using the APA format and style. The OWL website can be accessed here: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html

        Code of Conduct
        University of the People expects that students conduct themselves in a respectful, collaborative and honest manner at all times. Harassment, threatening behavior, or deliberate embarrassment of others will not be permitted.

        Any conduct that interferes with the quality of the educational experience is not allowed and may result in disciplinary action, such as course failure, probation, suspension, or dismissal. Please see the Student Handbook for more information.


        note: please read all texts under Italy, Dutch Republic, Flanders and Spain  sections

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