Art History I– ART 110-001 – Fall 2009

TR, 3:30 – 4:45, F101 ART

Instructor: Michael Fenton

Phone: 970-491-5989
Email: mfenton@lamar.colostate.edu
Office hours: F107, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Homepage: This course utilizes RamCT

Textbooks:

Required: Kleiner, Fred S., Gardner’s Art through the Ages, 13th edition volume I, Thomson Wadsworth, 2009
ISBN-13: 978-0-495-41056-0

Or combined volume ISBN: 0-495-41055-1

Recommended: Edward Lucie-Smith, Dictionary of Art Terms, New York: Thames & Hudson, 2004
ISBN: 0-500-20365-2

Course Description:

This course provides the knowledge base to understand the visual arts, especially as related to
Western culture. It surveys the visual arts from the Ancient periods through Late Antiquity. 45 contact
hours. No prerequisites.

Course Policies:
These policies are not negotiable.

Grading Policy:

Grades are based on the following scale: 100- 98 A+; 97 - 92 A; 91-90 A-; 89-88 B+; 87-82 B; 81-80 B-;
79-78 C+; 77-72 C; 71-70 C-; 69-68 D+; 67-62 D; 61 – 60 D-; 59 and below F.

Plus and minus grades will be used for assignment of final grades.

Final Grade Distribution:

Quizzes and Assignments 20%

Tests 80%

Attendance Policy:

Attendance will be taken each day in class, but it will not independently affect the student’s grade. If a
student is absent during a scheduled quiz or test, they must contact me within 24 hours of the missed
exam, provide relevant documentation which justifies the absence, and reschedule the quiz or test within 6
days of the original date.

Tardiness is a distraction to me and to your classmates -- please be on time for class!

 Course Policies: (continued)

Quizzes, Tests, and Assignments:

There are three quizzes scheduled in this class (see below), but more can be given at any time if the
instructor feels it is appropriate. Quizzes will consist of multiple choice questions which are designed to
help students anticipate the format and content of test questions.

There are five tests scheduled in this class (see below). Tests will consist of multiple choice questions
which focus on the students’ ability to identify imagery, use appropriate terminology, and recall
information regarding historical context.

A few brief writing assignments will be given throughout the semester as homework. Specific instructions
and due dates will be given in class.

Behavioral Policies:

This class treats a wide range of artwork, including some that may imply, express, or even illustrate
potentially sensitive subjects such as male and female nudity and human sexuality; strong or “loaded”
language and images; social, religious, and political movements and the protests against them; as well as
violence and death. Any students who find such subject matter unacceptable are urged to speak with the
instructor before taking this class.

Electronic devices such as cell phones, music players, etc. are not to be used during class. Note taking
devices (laptops, audio recorders, etc.) may be used for note taking purposes only. No electronic devices
are to be used during an exam unless that device has been approved beforehand by the instructor.

Academic Dishonesty policy:

Plagiarism is not tolerated in this class! The guidelines for academic dishonesty have been clearly
outlined in the Colorado State University student handbook. Any acts of plagiarism will be responded to
through the appropriate channels. Anyone caught cheating will receive a score of 0 on the relevant quiz,
test, or assignment.

Special Services Policy:

Students with special needs during class and/or during exams are encouraged to contact the office of
Resources for Disabled Students at (970) 491-6385 to arrange for accommodations and support services.
 Class Schedule:
DATE TOPIC READING
Week 1 Aug 25 Ariadne’s Cord pp. 1 - 13
Aug 27 The Beginning of Art pp. 15 - 18
Week 2 Sep 1 Paleolithic Art pp. 18 - 23
Sep 3 Neolithic Art pp. 24 - 28
Week 3 Sep 8* Early Mesopotamian Art, *Quiz 1 pp. 31 - 39
Wed, Sep 9*** ***Drop Deadline***
Sep 10 Late Mesopotamian Art pp. 40 – 50
Week 4 Sep 15* Early Egyptian Art, *Quiz 2 pp. 53 - 64
Sep 17 Late Egyptian Art pp. 65 - 78
Week 5 Sep 22 TEST 1: Ancient Art (Chapters 1, 2, 3)
Sep 24 Aegean Art pp. 81 - 90
Week 6 Sep 29 Aegean Art (continued) pp. 91 - 104
Oct 1 Early Greek Art pp. 105 - 116
Week 7 Oct 6* Classical Art, *Quiz 3 pp. 117 - 136
Oct 8 Hellenistic Art pp. 137 - 154
Week 8 Oct 13 TEST 2: Greek Art (Chapters 4, 5)
Oct 15 Indus Valley and Buddhist Art pp. 157 - 166
Fri, Oct 17*** ***Withdrawal Deadline***
Week 9 Oct 20 Hindu Art (and SE Asia) pp. 167 - 178
Oct 22 Early Chinese Art pp. 181 - 192
Week 10 Oct 27 Middle Chinese Art (and Korea) pp. 192 – 204
Oct 29 TEST 3: Early Eastern Art (Chapters 6, 7)
Week 11 Nov 3 Etruscan Art pp. 223 - 234
Nov 5 Art of the Roman Republic pp. 237 - 253
Week 12 Nov 10 Art of the Roman Empire pp. 254 - 275
Nov 12 Roman and Early Christian Painting pp. 276 - 297
Week 13 Nov 17 Early Christian Art pp. 298 - 308
Nov 19 TEST 4: Roman and Early Christian Art (Chapters 9, 10, 11)
Week 14 Nov 24 Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed
Nov 26 Thanksgiving Holiday – School Closed
Week 15 Dec 1 Japanese Art pp. 207 - 220
Dec 3 Mesoamerican Art pp. 365 – 378
Week 16 Dec 8 South and North American Art pp. 379 – 390
Dec 10 Art of Sub-Saharan Africa pp. 393 - 404
Final Exam:
Mon, Dec 14, 1:30 – 3:30 pm TEST 5: Japanese, American, and African Arts (Ch. 8, 14, 15)

I reserve the Right to modify this syllabus and schedule – Michael Fenton