Art 006, Introduction to Visual Arts (3.0)                 Office Hours: TBA
MWF 10:00 – 10:55
Tony Allard, Instructor
 
The primary goal of this course is to expand your awareness and appreciation of art and to examine how art functions within past and present cultures. We will be looking at art from a number of different perspectives, such as: the role of representation and “realism” in art; how political forces insinuate themselves into historical and contemporary art practices; the influence of the “objective sciences” on the arts; and specifically, the merging of art, mass media and popular culture.
 
In pursuit of the primary goal of this course, I encourage you to keep an open mind to the material that I will be presenting--keeping in mind that you may encounter some art that may not be appealing and, in fact, may be disturbing and seem not to be art at all.  I think, however, that to develop a genuine appreciation for art, you must be willing to experience the widest possible range of artistic expressions from around the world. To expand your appreciation of art beyond what you are currently familiar with, you must be willing to question and challenge established definitions of what art is and to develop your own sensibilities and critical thinking.
 
This course will follow an approximate historical chronology from so called prehistoric art to the most current art forms such as art being made for and on the World Wide Web. I say an approximate chronology meaning that a history of art will not be developed in a strict, linear sequence, but rather it will evolve through examinations of key ideas as they relate to various time periods and locals around the world. Again, the primary goal of the class to increase your visual literacy and to gain a greater appreciation of art.
 
Required Texts:
Art and Mass, Robert Pelfrey
Ways of Seeing, John Berger
The Banquet Years, Roger Shattuck
 
Week by Week Schedule
The key concepts and related material for this course will be presented through lectures, readings, a variety of audio and visual sources, computer-based/on-line sources, textbooks, periodicals, performances, visiting artists and others. Each week will proceed as follows:
ü     Monday: lectures and visual & audio presentations, visiting artists,
     reading assignments given for next week
ü     Wednesday: lectures, visual & audio presentation, visiting artists
ü     Friday: review and discussion of the current week, quizzes and exams
given, cultural artifact presentations
 
Requirements
The work you do for this class will consist of the following:
ü     taking careful notes during each class
ü     developing a list art terms with definitions
ü     4 terms quizzes (dates listed on weekly schedule)
ü     present a cultural artifact (on Fridays)
ü     writing critiques of works of art (two one page, double spaced papers)
ü     taking tests (one at midterm and one at semester’s end)
 
Grading
Using the A through F scale, the grade of C is average. To receive an average grade, you must attend every class, complete all the assignments and participate in class discussions. To receive an above average grade you must fulfill all the above mentioned requirements for a C, then you must do above average work to receive a B. To receive an A you must do exceptional work and participate in class at the highest level.
 
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
ü     10% participation & cultural artifact presentation
ü     10% written critiques of art
ü     30% art terms Quizzes 
ü     25% mid term
ü     25% final
 
FINAL EXAM DATE:
Monday, December 13, 10AM
 
ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Part of your overall course grade will be determined by your cooperation, time and attention given to reading assignments, If you miss a class, it is your responsibility to find out what material was covered during the absence. I strongly suggest you exchange phone numbers/email with someone in the class to take full responsibility for any absences.
 
I have a very strict and very clear attendance policy, as follows: You are allowed two absences which will not adversely affect your grade. Absences are neither excused nor unexcused, which means I do not need to know why you were absent ( please do not call me to tell me you won’t be in class). After these 2 absences, each absence will lower your semester grade by one full letter grade. In other words, if you are doing C work in the class, and you miss 4 classes, you will fail. If you are doing A work, and you miss 3 classes, you will receive a B.