ART 204 - HISTORY OF WESTERN ART
SYLLABUS

Instructor: Walter Peterson

Office hours: by appointment

http://www2.roguecc.edu/art/wpeterson

Catalog Description:

History of the visual arts in which selected works of painting, sculpture, architecture, and other arts from western civilizations are studied in relation to the cultures producing them. Course surveys from prehistoric to contemporary periods.

Course Description:

The first term of a three-term sequence course designed for both art majors and non-art majors. For art majors, a necessary foundation is laid for advanced study in studio arts and art history. Non-art majors are provided a meaningful experience in the study of peoples creativity as reflected in the history of art. This study concerns understanding the chronological development of the aesthetic and content by artists of western civilization since prehistorical times. In addition to learning the general outline of historical periods, styles and artists, the student is shown how the meaning of art content reflects in the culture context, the evolving needs and consciousness of the individual and community. When awareness of historical purpose and morality in the arts is acquired, a premise is made that the student becomes more aware of his or her own rightful place in today's world.

Course Objectives:

1. To provide the foundation for advanced study in fine arts for the art major, and a meaningful experience in the history and meaning of art and the creative process for the non-art major.
2. To acquire a reasonable memory of the chronological order of major art historical periods, in terms of the artists, and the aesthetic of that geographical places.
3. To study the art in terms of the artist's and cultural context in response to individual and community needs of the particular time.
4. To know the techniques used by the artist to model, render or express painting, sculptural or architectural form.
5. To be familiar with and gain understanding of art symbols in terms of their style, source, meaning and effect.
6. To know the processes of creativity, why it works, the sources of inspiration and how the vision is actualized.
7. To achieve the ability to use the principles of understanding art in everyday life.

Prerequisites: None

Required Text: History of Art, H. W. Janson, or the equivalent

Optional Texts: Readings will be suggested for extra credit during the term.

Student Responsibilities:

• Class attendance and reading from recommended texts.
• Completion of assignments, which will be made clear during the term.
• Ability to access research for assignments from sources outside of classroom experience.
• A cooperative learning experience is available with instructor's approval.

Grading:

Final grade will be determined from class participation and an averaging of letter grades achieved from extra credit assignments and the take home exams.

Course Outline

Week One INTRODUCTION

1. Purpose and meaning of art study
2. The creative process: the problem, the potential

ART AS AN EXPRESSION OF:

1. Transcendentalism
2. Dictates

Week Two ART OF PREHISTORY

1. Paleolithic
2. Neolithic

Week Four ANCIENT ART

1. Egypt
2. Mesopotamia
3. Aegean

Week Seven Greek Art

Week Nine Roman Art

Week Ten Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Any student who feels that she/he may need an academic accommodation for any disability, such as vision, hearing, orthopedic, learning disabilities, psychological or other medical conditions, should make an appointment with the Support Services Office. (Located in the Wiseman Tutoring Center at the Redwood Campus or B-10 at the Riverside Campus.)