SYLLABUS SUMMER QUARTER 2010

Links to Course-related Materials

Assignments

schedule
slides
workbook
workshops
design problem

Image and information links

art history links
design problem resources

Help with completing assignments

writing guidelines
annotating bibliographies
writing about art
help with writing (links)
mla style
critical thinking (links)
10 Commandments (of the illuminated manuscript assignment)
Ten Rules to help you pass this class

Course Description: This course explores the historical and philosophical contexts of art and design from prehistory through the eighteenth century, using both visual and literary sources. Additional topics may include non-Western works and movements, the effects of global exploration and colonialism, and the growing separation between the realms of art and design after the Renaissance.

Course Objectives: This course is designed to help students

Examine the historical relationship between art and design.
Evaluate the impact of culture and technology on the development of art and design in different historical contexts.
Establish a cultural, philosophical, and historical framework for understanding art and design movements and their impact on later movements.
Demonstrate familiarity with theoretical and critical traditions in art and design history.
Write critically about aesthetic issues that influence the history of art and design.
Develop creative responses to design problems based on historical works or movements.
Conduct research into specific art and design movements from prehistory to the eighteenth century.

Instructional Methodology and Instructor's Expectations: The history of art and design is long, complex, and closely tied to the cultural and political contexts in which it has arisen. It is also highly dependent on technological development over time. In order to cover the necessary material, the class will combine slide lectures and discussion, and require students to participate in topical conversations and to complete exercises created to develop associative thinking skills. Exams require knowledge of the material covered and careful preparation of workbooks designed to help students learn without the need for excessive memorization.

The purpose of the course website is to augment this syllabus, support the lectures, and facilitate discussion. Students are expected to have completed assigned or suggested readings before each class. All worksheets, slide lists, lecture supplements, and image sources are linked to the appropriate week’s topic on the web version of the Weekly Schedule. Supplemental images and additional resources are linked to each week’s topic to foster further research, and to help students recognize high-quality, authoritative, scholarly sources for answering and exploring questions that arise during class discussions and in their readings.

Graded assignments will be introduced in class, and detailed guidelines will be linked on the Weekly Schedule as well as to appropriate sections of the online version of the syllabus (the content of which is identical to this print copy). Familiarity with the website and its contents is vital to students’ success in this class.

A blog focused on art and design history has been added to course resources to encourage articulate, well-reasoned discussion on topics central to understanding how art and design have developed, especially in the West, since human beings first began exercise their creative impulses. The Owls' Parliament provides a forum for students in all of my classes, but focuses on issues that particularly impact art and design history. Extra credit will be awarded to participating students according to a point schedule that will be distributed in class.

Course Requirements: You must complete the following assignments in order to earn a passing grade in the course.

Indicate mastery of course material by undertaking two exams (midterm and final): 30%.
Maintain a workbook that reflects weekly interaction with course material, designed to be used in conjunction with exams.
Creatively solve a design problem based on a specific period in art and design history: 35%
Exhibit competence in writing and critical thinking skills by composing a concept essay to accompany the design problem.
Demonstrate college-level research skills by developing an annotated bibliography in conjunction with the design problem.
Participate in class discussions and workshops on a regular basis, and exhibit professionalism in all assignments (timely submission, attention to guidelines, technical competency). Points for participation are earned by submitting workshop results, attending class faithfully, and completing the research workshop related to the final design problem. 35%.

Grading Criteria: For a description of the criteria used to grade each assignment, see the course rubric (attached to your print syllabus). Point values correspond to letter grades according to the following:

The required textbook for this class is Fred S. Kleiner, Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Concise Western History. The package available in the Supply Store includes access to images featured in the lecture, which will be augmented by links to supplemental images on each week's topic page. If you purchase the book online, be sure to order the image access card.

This book will be used again for History of Art and Design II, and Art and Design Since 1945, required in some BFA programs. Remember that this course is concerned with the history of your craft; this textbook has been carefully selected to help you build a solid foundation for further study. In addition, students who buy the book not only show professionalism and commitment to their program goals, but also perform significantly better on exams.

Art Institute of Dallas Policies on Class Assignments and Projects

The Art Institute places considerable emphasis on simulated work situations in which the student is assigned projects with scheduled completion dates. In a professional environment, there are no acceptable excuses for missing project deadlines; therefore, it is extremely important that students develop similar professional discipline in their general studies classes.

General Studies Classroom Policies

The Department of General Studies emphasizes both the academic and professional skills students need for success. The following policies are designed to promote scholastic excellence and successful learning.

Deadlines: Many assignments have scheduled due dates, and some class time is set aside for required projects. Additional time outside of class hours is also expected, however, in order to fulfill requirements and meet deadlines. The Department of General Studies does not accept late work for any reason in any class.

Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected and required. In courses meeting once per week, if a student misses three or more classes during the quarter, or accrues the equivalent of three absences through tardiness, he or she may be dropped for lack of attendance at the discretion of the faculty member. The satisfactory explanation of an absence does not relieve the student from responsibility for the course work assigned and/or due during his or her absences. Students who fail to attend all classes on their schedules for two consecutive weeks of the quarter will be automatically terminated from the school by the Registrar's Office.

Participation: Students must be proactive. If something occurs to inhibit your academic performance or attendance, contact the instructor immediately via email. Students must also be engaged. During the class period, students must devote their attention exclusively to classroom operations, and avoid being distracted by unrelated activities.

Disruptive or Disorderly Conduct : The instructor is the final arbiter of questions concerning classroom conduct. Engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach or fellow students’ ability to learn may result in a conduct referral to the Dean of Student Affairs.

Personal Technologies: All computers and personal communication devices must be turned off during lectures. Only those with special accommodations from the Office of Academic Disability Services may use laptops for note-taking.

For further information on classroom demeanor, please consult my Etiquette page.

Americans with Disabilities Compliance: It is the policy of the Art Institute of Dallas to accommodate the needs of disabled students. This institution will adhere to all applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact affected faculty members and the office of Academic Disability Services at 469-587-1239 in a timely manner in order to make appropriate arrangements.

Academic Ethics and Scholastic Dishonesty: The Art Institute of Dallas will not tolerate any act of dishonesty or plagiarism. Dishonesty in the classroom, including securing, passing, receiving a test prior to the test date, or cheating on examinations is subject to a failing grade and possible suspension or termination from the Art Institute. The same rule applies to detected plagiarism within the classroom. Plagiarism includes any unattributed use of materials from any source—including books, periodicals, CD-ROMs, videos, and the World Wide Web, as well as artworks or projects from other students or professionals. All quotations, paraphrases, or other adaptations of others’ work must be properly cited and documented. All acts of dishonesty are to be brought to the attention of the Academic School Director and the Vice-President of Academic Affairs.

The above syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor due to unpredictable and/or uncomfortable situations (weather conditions, Art Institute and/or local, regional, state, or national criteria).

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07.17.10