Antioch University Los Angeles

B.A Liberal Studies

Art History 101
Semester Units # 3
Spring Semester 2016
Instructor: Ms. Carmen Garcia, M.A
Contact Information:
Email: cgarcia@davincischools.org
DB: http://misscarmengarcia.weebly.com/
Class Meeting Times and Dates: Week of January 12, 2016- Week of April 5, 2016 (Approx.10 Weeks)
Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 4pm-5pm and by appointment
Turnitin.com Login Information:
Class IDPasswordCourse Description: The semester survey course in Art History will introduce the history of art focusing on
movements that range from the Prehistoric to Postmodern times. The course will introduce elements of art
criticism, historical and cultural knowledge of the art movements, visual analysis, and connections to modern
lived experiences. The course will also employ research methods that art historians use to determine the cultural
value of a work produced at a given time. Students will be creating projects that demonstrate their
understanding of art criticism and history, will be analyzing academic articles and journals, and will be assessed
on their comprehension of visual analysis. The student experience will conclude with a cumulative final exam.
Antioch University B.A. Program Learning Objectives:
Critical and analytical thinking ability;
The ability to understand issues from multiple perspectives;
The ability to connect learning to lived experience;
Social awareness, community engagement, global citizenship;
Civic and community engagement
Core competency in foundational skills: including, writing, quantitative reasoning, information literacy,
technological literacy, oral communication, and research.
Essential Skills:
Specifically, students successfully completing the course will be able to:

ESK 1 Evidence: Students will be able to analyze works of art using support from resources to
articulate cultural contexts such as politics, religion, social issues, history, and/or ethnicity in verbal and
written form.
ESK 2 Content: Students will be able to identify, categorize, and compare works of art, art movements,
and artistic styles from different time periods and various art forms such as painting and drawings,
architecture, sculpture, and other media (printmaking, photography, ceramics, fiber arts, textiles, and
etc).
ESK 3 Vocabulary: Students will be able to discuss and critique works of art applying fundamental art
and art historical terminology in verbal and written form.
ESK 4 Document Analysis: Students will be able to analyze, evaluate and synthesize multiple sources,
including primary/secondary documents, historical data, and works of art to support a well written,
articulate, and analytical free written response.

Evaluation Criteria
The final evaluation will address the extent to which students have met the learning objectives listed above, as
demonstrated in:

Active contributions to classroom discussion demonstrating constructive dialogue with peers

Depth and critical perspective in papers and exams
Development of understanding of the selected texts and analytical skill over the course of the term.

Additionally, the specific components of the course grade are constructed as follows and subject to change:
Section Quizzes 15%: Quizzes will be given after every unit; dates every Thursday.
Midterm Exams 15%: Approximately one to three midterm exams tentatively scheduled; representing
approximately 15% of overall course grade.
Collaborative/ Written Projects 20%: One to two projects will be given throughout the semester;
dates are tentative. Collectively representing 20% of overall course grade.
Essays/Written Assignments 20%: Weekly class essays and other types of written assignments spread
throughout the semester. Collectively representing 20% of overall course grade.
Participation 10%: Include class readings and discussions, in class activities, as well as quality and
accountability of various assignments and projects per instructors discretion.
Final Exam 20%: Cumulative final exam collectively representing 20% of overall course grade.
Required Texts and Readings, subject to change (provided by Ms. Garcia)
Barthes, Roland. Mythologies. Hill and Wang, 2013.
Descartes, Rene, Meditations on 1st Philosophy, 1641.
Kant, Immanuel, Critique of Practical Reason, 1798
Kafka, Franz, The Metamorphosis, 1915.
Keats, John, Ode on a Grecian Urn, 1819.
Kleiner, Fred, S. Gardners Art Through the Ages 14th ed. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage, 2013.
McEnroe, John, C. and Pokinski, Deborah, F. Critical Perspectives on Art History. Pearson, 2001.
Nietzsche, Friedrich, Thus Spoke Zarathustra, 1883.
Socrates, Republic X Book I, II, and III; ION.
Tentative Units and Outline of Class Topics:

*units subject to change for allotted time and scheduling

UNIT 1: Non- Western Art (Anthropology and Archeology)
UNDERSTANDING ART AND ART CRITICISM
TOPICS:

Different forms of art styles and materials such as painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, printing,
textiles, pottery, and other media.
Principals of Art (color, line, value, texture, space, shape, unity, design, balance, harmony, gradation,
movement, rhythm, proportion, and form) for aesthetic valuing.
Elements of art criticism (description, analysis, interpretation, and judgment) to evaluate works of art.
Words Art Historians use to evaluate works of art

 ART OF MESOAMERICA
TOPICS:
Cultural and historical overview of specific societies such as the Olmec, Mayan, Aztec, and Inca
civilizations.
Identify and recognize spiritual meaning, natural symbols, and cultural influences in the artwork and
architecture of specific tribes and connect those to influences of geographical locations.
Categorize and compare pottery and textile techniques to its respected civilizations and cultures.
ART OF AFRICA
TOPICS:
Identify and evaluate the significance of art to specific African civilizations such as the Nok, Great
Zimbabwe, Ife Culture, Aksum, Benin, Mende, and Kongo. (Location: Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leon,
Congo, and Ethiopia)
Explore the cultures, religions, geographic locations, and influences it has on art, architecture, and
cultural heritage of each African Kingdoms
Classification of African masquerades, scarification, and textiles to African Kingdoms
Criticize present mass production of cultural traditions in the Western market and the theft of intellectual
property for those tribes.
.

ART OF INDIA, CHINA, AND JAPAN*

TOPICS:
Understand the historical and cultural anthropology of these societies to assess artistic influences.
Explore the contributions of artistic influences from Asia to western societies and criticize present
exploitation of cultural heritage.
Analyze the various dynastic influences in Chinese sculpture, architecture, and painting and how that
effects religion and meditation.
Explore and identify the influences of Hinduism and Buddhism in artwork.
Examine the main religions in India and how they are interpreted in their sculpture, architecture, and
writings.
Analyze Japanese ancient artwork such as woodblock printing, storytelling in art, and architecture and
connect to religious influences.

UNIT 2: Western Art (School of Thought: Philosophy and Ideologies)

MODERN ART
TOPICS:
Introduction to Modern art and how it has been transformed to reflect cultural and societal views.
Analysis of how modern ideologies (Darwinism, Marxism, Industrial revolution, and etc) condemned
classical interpretations of art. Focusing on famous Realist artists and paintings (Ex. Manet Olympia,
Daumier Rue Transnonain, Courbet Stonebreakers, Manet Luncheon on the Grass).
Identify and compare stylistic approaches to Impressionism focusing on techniques, artistic styles
(Monet, Renoir, Degas, and Cassatt), and exploring the play on light, color, and atmosphere.

Critique the role of color in Post Impressionistic works of art (Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin) and
analyze how these genres influenced the early 20th century.
Understand and analyze how the disillusionment following the World Wars created art that was
controversial and diverse in ideas, techniques, beliefs, and feelings that created the Modern art
movement.

POSTMODERN ART
TOPICS:
Identify and research unique characteristics of the following movements: Dada, Surrealism, and Abstract
Expressionism and recognize famous artists and artworks that identified with those are movements.
Understand and analyze societys mentality of mass consumption and consumerism that brought forth
the genres of Pop art, Op Art, and Photorealism.
Read and annotate academic journals, articles, and readings about postmodern theory and thoughts of
Derridas Deconstruction.
Apply theories of Postmodernism to feminism, contemporary social issues, and contemporary works of
art (graffiti, street, and performance art).
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend all class sessions and participate as required in the syllabus.
Students missing more than 4 class sessions must make up the missed time by completing assignments per
instructors direction, students missing more than 10 class sessions will not receive credit for the course. Three
tardies will constitute an absence. See AULA General
Catalog, 2012-2014 (p. 59) or http://www.antiochla.edu/_resources/12.14_Catalog_web.pdffor university
policy.\
*Late work Policy
No late assignments will be accepted. In case of emergency be sure to contact me as soon as possible. *subject to
change per instructors discretion (case by case only)

*Incomplete Policy
Per University policy, students must complete all course work by the deadlines stated in the syllabus and
announced in class. If a student anticipates not being able to complete required work by the end of the term, the
student may request an Incomplete from the instructor. Incompletes are awarded at the discretion of the
instructor. See AULA General Catalog, 2010-2012, (p.63) at
http://www.antiochla.edu/_resources/10.12_Catalog_web.pdf for full university policy.
*subject to change per instructors discretion (case by case only)

Make-up Policy
Students are allowed to make-up excused missed quizzes and/or exams immediately (one day) upon returning to
school. All make-ups must be done during office hours or if time allows during lunch. Students receiving an
initial grade of 1.5 or below may make-up quizzes and/or exams approximately one week after the initial given
date and only after meeting with the instructor during designated office hours.
Plagiarism Policy

AULA and DaVinci Schools expect all students to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty in all
academic activities. Plagiarism that is, the intentional or unintentional borrowing of another persons ideas,
images, research, or data without citation -- is a serious breach of academic integrity that results in sanctions,
including dismissal from the university.
Please consult Diana Hackers online reference at
http://www.worwic.edu/Media/Documents/LibraryResources/MLA%20Style.pdf in regard to the proper citation
of sources and Hackers A Writers Reference, 7th ed., pp. 344-347 for specific guidance on avoiding plagiarism
while taking notes, summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting from sources. For history courses, additional
information will be provided for citations using the Chicago/Turabian format.
Students committing plagiarism or academic dishonesty will also be subject to disciplinary action from DaVinci
Schools as well as from the university. See AULA General Catalog, 2012-2014, (p. 58) at
http://www.antiochla.edu/_resources/12.14_Catalog_web.pdf for full university policy.
Student Conduct Policy:
Respectful conduct is expected of students on the campus at all times, both inside and outside the classroom.
See AULA General Catalog, 2012-2014 (p. 59 & 71) at
http://www.antiochla.edu/_resources/12.14_Catalog_web.pdf for full university policy. Students are expected to
respect and adhere to all Da Vinci Science rules and policies at all times as well.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student with a documented disability (physical, learning, or psychological) needing academic
accommodations should contact the Disability Services Office (3105781080 ext. 441) as early in the semester
as possible. All discussions will remain confidential.
Materials for Class:
Notebook (note taking, study guide, and participation)