Survey of Western Art

Professor:	Dr. Perette Michelli, Ext 3098, .
Class:	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 2.00-2.50 p.m., Flaten Hall lecture room
Office Hours:	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3.00-4.00 p.m., and by appointment
Required set book:	M Stokstad, Art History, Prentice Hall, Abrams, 1995
Projects due:	See due dates on Assignment List (Fridays)

This course covers Western art from the year dot to the middle/late Gothic period. It may be the only Art History course you ever take. Or it may be the foundation of your major. Either way, you want to leave it with a good grasp of the range of ideas, styles and periods, and a personal "take" on the field. If it turns out to be the foundation of your major, you really want to keep it all from slipping out of your mind. This course is intended to achieve that.

Survey courses can be a grind because of the sheer quantity of material to be learned. This course is different: you do not have to learn any identifications, and there will be no tests during the semester. But there is a lot of work. This course involves nearly three hours in the classroom each week. You should therefore expect to put in at least seven hours of your own time, outside class (10 hours is quarter of a normal working week). This is for learning the terminology, doing the assignments, and attending gallery functions. You will remember the stuff you understand (terminology) and the stuff do and think for yourself (projects, class discussion) infinitely better than anything you merely read or hear.

Requirements

• Attendance at every class. If you have to miss a class, FOR ANY REASON, submit a 500 word summary of the assigned reading for the missed day(s). This (these) should be word processed and is (are) due on the day you return to class. This way, you will stay on top of the course, even if you have to miss some classes.
• Eight projects (500 words, 3 illustrations, bibliography), due on most Fridays. Work on them in the Library. Remembering that there are around 40 students in class, DO NOT CHECK OUT THE BOOKS.
• Two prepared discussions. One will be just before Mid Term; the second will be in lieu of the Final Exam. Study questions will be supplied. Use the internet, the study carousel, and the library.
• Learn the terminology of art history. In your set book, some words are set in bold type. Learn ALL those, as you come to them. You will be tested orally in the next class for the spelling and the definition. Also, learn ALL the words you personally don't understand, either in the text or in class. Ask me for clarification at any time in class or later. No formal tests are currently planned during the semester. However, if you do not know the terminology when asked in class, tests WILL be set up. Terminology WILL be tested in the FINAL EXAM.
• Class contribution is required. It is tracked and graded through name tags: one tag per contribution, whether this is a question, a comment, or an answer. Apart from terminology, which you are expected to learn and to use accurately, there are few "facts" and many opinions in this field. Be prepared to speculate, and to have (courteous!) disagreements with other students and with the professor.
• Prepare for class discussion by reading the text. In class you will be asked to (a) DESCRIBE the work shown, (b) EXPLAIN what the book had to say about it, (c) ANALYSE the artist's approach, (d) DEFINE any terms.
• Steensland gallery attendance is required. Opening receptions recommended. Not only are these pleasant, social occasions, but attendance is a courtesy to the artist(s), some of whom you know. There are four exhibitions this semester, with three opening receptions.

Grading

Grading is on a points system: Total 1400 points.

Projects and prepared discussions are worth 100 points each. See the grading policy for details. Late submissions will cost 2 points per class day not submitted. Total 1000 points.

Attendance is graded: 37 classes (not including the first day), two points each, 6 points given. Total 100 points.

Class contribution is graded. The class is divided into two groups. Each group is responsible for contributions on alternate days, but may contribute on other days after the main group, if there is time. Aim to contribute 40 times during the semester (that is 2-3 times on your days). Each contribution is worth 4 points. Total 160 points.

Terminology is graded. During the semester, it is tracked and graded with name tags. The final exam will begin with a terminology test, worth a further 100 points

Gallery attendance: four exhibitions worth 10 points each. Total 40 points.

Syllabus