Art History Course Syllabus Instructor: M. Pendleton
Course Description This course encompasses a broad Western Art History survey (Venus of Willendorf through today) fused with an exploration of the artistic innovations which advanced artistic prowess and, as a result, the history of art. Mediums explored will include frescos, egg tempera, and raku clay firing. Color theory, the elements of art and principles of design, and additional artistic techniques will also be explored.
Course Objectives ● ● ● ●
Students will make connections between time periods of art history and be able to compare and contrast the art produced during those times Students will understand the elements of art and principles of design Students will gain new knowledge of artistic time periods, vocabulary, techniques, and mediums Students will develop their skills based on the essential questions in visual art
Course Topics/Themes AncientMedieval This unit highlights Egyptian figure drawing, Greek and Byzantine architecture, PreColumbian installation art, West African masks in the Cubist style, and Gothic mandalas. Renaissance The Renaissance highlights the prowess of Michelangelo’s frescos, Durer’s woodcut prints, and Goya’s devastatingly dark oil paintings. Baroque The Baroque period is best captured by the sculptural work of Bernini, Caravaggio, and the paintings of Van Dyck, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. A highlight includes the first recognized female painter, Artemisia. Rococo Art Nouveau In this unit, students will be exposed to the Rococo style of decorative arts and Neoclassicism, founded on the beliefs of the Age of Enlightenment. We also delve into the birth of “isms”: Romanticism, Realism, and PhotoRealism. Art Nouveau is ushered in an aesthetic of decadence, from Tiffany glass to the rise of wroughtiron as a medium. Impressionism Symbolism Stepping into the late 19th Century, students will examine the work of famous Impressionists such as Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot, Mary Cassatt,Cezanne, and Edgar Degas. In the vein of Degas and Seurat, mediums such as wax sculpture and stippling will be tested. Imaginations will be put to the test as we dive into Symbolism and the dreamlike work of Henri Rousseau Modern Art
Highlighting a radical shift in artistic expression, Modernism rejects the past, embracing interior artistic vision. Jackson Pollock, de Kooning, and the Parisian Fauves reign supreme. An impromptu salon will commence as students wear the hat of a chosen artist, embodying their style and vision in their own artwork. Matisse and Picasso become household names and students observe the ripple effect of their style in works for years to come. Contemporary Art The Pop Art of Andy Warhol’s Factory will appear as students delve into printmaking and graffiti art. Installation art will also be examined, highlighted by the work of Andy Goldsworthy. The 1980s NYC art scene will come alive in the work of Basquiat, Haring, and Jasper Johns. Arts & Politics We will examine the influence of political theater throughout Art History: from the time of the Ancient Romans to Rosie the Riveter to Ai Wei Wei’s desecration of a Jung Dynasty pot. Art and politics have walked handinhand throughout time and continue to dominate world news today.
Classroom Expectations ● ● ● ● ●
Be on time. Be ready to start when the bell rings. Participate in and outside of class. Follow instructions given by instructor and complete homework assignments on time. Late homework will not be accepted. Be responsible. Come prepared with your journal and supplies to every class. Also, be respectful of your art materials. Give your best effort at all times as an artist and student. You are responsible for maintaining your textbook in good working condition. If a textbook is lost, the cost is the responsibility of the student.
Resources ● ● ● ● ●
Notebook 3 ring binder or folder 100 index cards (3” x 5”) Text: Strickland, Carol. The Annotated Mona Lisa. Vol. Second Edition. London: Andrews McMeel, LLC, 2007. Print. Readings: Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Global History . No ed. Vol. Fourteenth Edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2013. Print.
Assessment Quarterly grades will consist of: Formative assessments (homework and inclass written responses) Summative assessments (projects, tests, and critiques) Semester grades will consist of: Q1 (42%) + Q2 (42%) + F1 (16%)
20% 80%