COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 1-credit course will introduce students to the history and development of art. Students will begin with a framework that defines what art is and how it may be evaluated, learning the necessary vocabulary to discuss the history of art from the times of ancient civilization to today. Students will develop a nuance of appreciation that binds art with religion and politics, and respects cultural heritage.

In Part 1, students will review the basics of art appreciation, art criticism, and aesthetics. They will begin their survey of art history with studies of prehistoric art and the art of ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and Rome.  Students will move on to examine native arts of the Americas, along with arts from civilizations such as India, China, Japan, and Africa.  In Part 2, students will focus on the development of fine arts within the Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic religious  traditions. Their studies will continue with artistic cultures in the West, looking at art across styles, media, and genres, including:  Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, and Rococo, and ranging across periods from medieval times through art of the modern era.

PREREQUISITES: None.

COURSE LENGTH: Two Semesters

REQUIRED TEXT: Art in Focus, Glencoe, McGraw Hill 2006.

NOTE:  You must order the textbook for this course. Please click the following link to place your order.  ORDER BOOK LINK. This is to be paid separately from this course.