South Texas College

Division of Liberal Arts and Social Science

Communication and Creative Arts Department

Master Syllabus

Instructor:  Rachael F. Brown                                                ART APPRECIATION

Office: Mid Valley Building G-134                              E-mail:  rfbrown@southtexascollege.edu

            (Site Coordinator’s Suite)                                Office Phone: (956) 973-7606

Office Hours: 2:30-3:45 p.m., Mon/Wed                   Office Fax: (956) 447-6677

           11:30a.m-12:45 p.m., Tues/Thurs

           Fridays by appointment                                   

Course Information:                                                              

            Course Name:  Art Appreciation                              Course Number: ARTS 1301

Catalog Course Description:                            CRT HRS: 03   LEC HRS: 03   LAB HRS: 00

This course concentrates on values and meanings in the visual arts, including evaluation of selected works.

STUDENT  LEARNING  OUTCOMES

Departmental Course Exemplary Educational Objectives

To demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.

To understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within historical and social context.

To respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

To engage in the creative process or interpretative performance and comprehend the physical and intellectual demands required of the author or visual or performing artists.

To articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities. 

To develop an appreciation for aesthetic principles that guide or govern the humanities and arts. 

To demonstrate knowledge of the influence of the arts on intercultural experiences.  

      Departmental Learning Outcomes

·        Understand the relationship of the arts to society;

·        Understand the different types of visual arts and genres;

·        Understand the individuals and their roles in producing fine art;

·        Understand the value of arts to help maintain a balance in thought (arts vs. science)

Departmental Course Intellectual Competencies

·  READING:  Class assignments will include readings from text, journals, and newspapers;

·  WRITING:  Class assignments will include writing critiques, reaction papers, and research reports;

·  SPEAKING:  Class assignments will include speaking presentations and small group discussion:

·  LISTENING:  Class assignments will include quizzes and exams to assess students’ note taking and listening skills;

·  CRITICAL THINKING:  Students are asked to make judgments and evaluations;

·  COMPUTER SKILLS:  students are required to research topics via the Internet and write reports using a word-processing program.

Departmental Course Perspectives

·  The subject of cultural/gender communication will be taught and students will learn and understand their relationship to the larger world and the responsibilities of living in a culturally and ethnically diversified world;

·  Deadlines for assignments and attendance policies will be strictly enforced to encourage students to actively participate and maintain a sense of personal responsibility;

·  Students will use computers in research of topics and will become aware of the advances in computer mediated communication and the role technology has taken in expanding the communication media;

·  Demonstrating ethical behavior includes active group participation, avoidance of plagiarism and cheating by copying and/or distributing other students’ work or instructors’ exams and assignments;

·  Students will apply communication skills to other courses and life events reflecting the interrelationship of effective communication skills and all other scholarly endeavors.

EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADING CRITERION

The students’ final grade at the end of the semester is based on how successfully you complete the following criteria. You will take three multiple-choice tests, and complete three projects.  Your lowest grade (except the final) will be dropped from your average.  All projects and homework must be handed to me, during your class, to count toward a grade.

The following information is very important for your success in this course. Keep this outline in a convenient spot (inside your textbook) so that you can refer to it regularly.

Semester Timeline by week; chapters to read for the following week in parentheses ().

     Aug. 29 Introduction & Visual Elements, (Ch.3)

     Sept. 04 (No class Labor  Day Holiday)  Visual Elements cont’d, (Ch.4)

     Sept. 11   Principles of Design, (Ch.1)

     Sept. 18 The Nature of Art (Ch. 2) Project 1

     Sept. 25 Awareness, Creativity, and Communication (Ch. 5)

     Oct. 02 Evaluation (Ch. 6&7) (discuss Project 3)

     Oct. 09 Drawing & Painting (Ch. 8) Project 2

     Oct. 16 Printmaking, Arts Activity Day (9&10)

     Oct. 23 Camera Arts, Design Disciplines (Ch. 11&12) Project 3 due

     Oct. 30 Take-home TEST I due 1^st class of week 3-D Media: Sculpture, Crafts (Ch. 13)

     Nov. 06 Architecture (14&15)

     Nov. 13 Test II in class Ancient-Medieval Art History (Ch.17-19)

     Nov. 15: Last day to withdraw  

     Nov. 20 Islamic/ Non-western Art (Chs.16, 20-24) (Thanksgiving Holiday Nov. 23/24)    

     Nov. 27 Renaissance/Modern Art (Ch. 25)    

     Dec. 04 Postmodern Art, Review

     Dec. 11-15 FINAL EXAMS

Brief Synopsis of Projects:

Project 1: A collage with definitions of terms from Chs. 3-4

Project 2: A collage with definitions of terms from Chs. 1-2

Project 3: Student Choice: Formal Analysis of 2 Activity Day art works

    Formal Analysis of one work each of fine and applied art, from local museums.          

                                       3 National Public Radio story reaction essays

    Formal Analysis of 3 Children’s illustrated storybooks

                                        Interview of Local Artist and formal analysis of their work.

ALL TESTS:     20 questions, multiple choice. Please be prepared with a scantron and #2 pencil.

Throughout the semester you will have the opportunity to earn ‘Karmic Points’. Listen carefully for these opportunities.                                           

GRADING CRITERIA

Your final grade at the end of the semester is based on how successfully you complete the following criteria. You will take three multiple-choice tests, and complete three projects.  Your lowest grade (except the final) will be dropped from your average. Late work will not be accepted, and there will not be makeup tests. All projects and homework must be turned in during your class to count toward a grade.  Like the Nike slogan says:   ----- Just do it!

Project 1:        20%

Project 2:        20%    

Project 3:        20%      The lowest grade you receive EXCEPT THE FINAL will be dropped from your average.

Test 1:             20%

Test 2:             20%    

Final Exam:    20%

Grade-minder: Use this chart throughout the semester to keep your average in mind:

Record your grade in each box when tests and projects are returned to you. After dropping your lowest grade, add the grades together and divide by how many grades you have. That will give you your average based on the scale below:

            A         90-100 Excellent, far above average, mastery of subject matter

            B          80-89   Good, above average

            C         70-79   Fair, average

            D         60-69   Below average

            F          0-59     Failing to meet the minimum requirements of course, subject matter not mastered.

The project specs and out-of class assignment subjects will be given out at a later date. If your grade is a D or lower on any test or project, you must meet with your instructor during office hours or make an appointment to do so. Your attitude toward this course, as well as your participation and attendance, will be a factor in your grade.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is absolutely necessary in order for you to succeed in this class. If you are absent due to illness, you must present a written and signed doctor’s excuse to receive credit for your absence.  If you are absent due to a family emergency, please contact me as soon as possible (973-7606).  After 4 or more absences, it is best that you withdraw yourself from the course.

Dropping or withdrawing from the course: You must do the paperwork. I will not drop anyone, so if you stop coming to class, withdraw by the drop date, or you may receive an F on your transcript!

Please respect your fellow students and your instructor: do your best to arrive on time, keep discussion to the topic of the course.  This includes cell phones and beepers. Please turn them off. Do not get up to leave class unless you have an emergency. If you get up to answer the phone, take your books with you as you do not need to come back to class for the day.

Imagination is more important than knowledge---  Albert Einstein

This outline is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK     Preble, Artforms. 8^th Edition Website: www.prenhall.com/preble

Developmental Studies Policy Statement: The College’s Developmental Education Plan requires students who have not met the college-level placement standard on an approved assessment instrument in reading, writing, and/or mathematics to enroll in Developmental Studies courses including College Success.  Failure to attend these required classes may result in the student's withdrawal from ALL college courses.

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