Syllabus

Ancient through Medieval Art

105 AH Section A001

Owensboro Community and Technical College, KCTCS

Text: Anthony F. Janson. History of Art Vol. I. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, Prentice Hall: 2004. ISBN: 0-13-105684-0

Course Description: A survey of the development of art and architecture with a primary emphasis on the cultures of Ancient Egypt, Western Asia, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe. Students will examine artworks, monuments and architectural achievements that are representative of the consequential periods. Major focus is directed to the two and three-dimensional art forms, specifically: painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Course Objectives: The objectives of this course are for the student to gain knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of the major art periods; the significant developments of specific cultures; and the impact of various works and styles.

1 Prehistoric Art: Old Stone Age, New Stone Age
2 Egyptian Art: The Old Kingdom, The Middle Kingdom, The New Kingdom
3 Ancient Near Eastern Art: Sumerian, Assyrian, Persian
4 Aegean Art: Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean
5 Greek Art: Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic
6 Etruscan Art
7 Roman Art
8 Early Christian & Byzantine Art
9 Islamic Art
10 Early Medieval: Dark Ages, Carolingian, Ottonian
11 Romanesque
12 Gothic

Required Reading Assignment: to be announced

Required Assignments, Activities, and Exams (grade value %):
1. Topical Research paper. (20%)
2. 3 exams. (60%)
3. Final exam. (20%)
4. Assigned readings.

Exams: Short answer and essay.
Final Exam: to be announced.

Grade Scale: 100-90 A, 89-80 B, 79-70 C, 69-60 D, 59- E

Attendance and promptness: Four absences will merit a drop in letter grade. Five absences merit a two-letter grade drop. Six absences will result in a failing grade.
Academic Dishonesty: Acts of academic dishonesty merit a failing grade in the course and will be reported to the Academic Dean.

General Eduation Requirements

Writing and Reading: Student's research skills in library science will be realized as a key to success. These skills will lead students to obtain information necessary for critical analysis, both in their research assignments, classroom discussion, and presentations. .
Integrated Learning: Students will employ the use of the Internet to visit distant cites - through this source they will experience directly, information from museums and collections holding masterworks of art. Students will develop analytical skills in an environment that promotes discussion and diversity of thought. The success factors mentioned in this statement will be reflected in the participation of the student in the classroom, the assigned research, readings, and writings in an environment that promotes discussion and diversity of thought
Creative Thinking: Students will exercise skills in logic, creative and philosophical thought, and critical analysis to achieve understanding in the arts.
These skills will be demonstrated verbally and literally as they interpret classroom and individual research experiences in the form of writing and presentation.
Heritage and Humanities: Art History courses in relation to value outcomes allow the student to critically examine aspects of cultural diversity through the visual arts. Works of art provide students with a common ground to discuss and interpret intellectual concepts reflected by the society in focus. This mirror of the given culture is presented by the artist - an individual motivated by a variety of reasons: self-expression, intellect, financial gain, or simply in search of understanding.
Ethics and Values: In regard to knowledge outcome, students will expand their sensitivity in the arts through in depth studies and examinations of specific works. Students will discern the contributing factors (individuals, events, political and religious thought, and cultural influences) and how these elements contribute to the development of artistic theme and style