Syllabus

ARTH 1103 Introduction to the History of Art

SYLLABUS

You can DOWNLOAD the Syllabus for the Spring 2021 ARTH1103-OL16 here, however, all slides, assignments, and discussion boards are located on Blackboard: S2021 Online ARTH1103 Intro to Art History Syllabus

Class Time/Location: ONLINE
Pathways: World Cultures and Global Issues
Course Credits: 3 credits

Catalogue Description: An introduction to art and architecture from ancient to modern times. The art of Western and Eastern cultures is considered.

Additional description for this section: This course is designed to get you thinking about art. What is art? How is art produced? What is the function of art? Art is a record of culture and civilization, often it is the sole way we can understand what was meaningful to people separated from us by time, language and technology. Art also helps us understand our own time and culture. This course connects art to past histories, and introduces students to the visual language of art from ancient to modern times, in order to increase the recognition and understanding of references in advertisements and posters, on clothing, and in film and other media.The course introduces a wide variety of methodologies and topics of current debate in the field of art history, including: style, technique, patronage, iconography (subject matter), social context, race, and gender.

Table of Contents

Course Reading:

The material for this course is online and located on Blackboard and the OpenLab. If you wish to have a hard copy of an art history textbook, I recommend purchasing old editions of standard art history textbooks by Laurie Adams, Gardner, Stokstad, or Janson (you’re welcome to check with me about possible textbooks).

Learning Outcomes:

Students will,

learn the analytical techniques used by art historians,
become familiar with key works of art, their artists, styles, materials and working methods,
become knowledgeable about the major works of art linked to historical events, intellectual history, and scientific and cultural trends,
acquire a working knowledge of the specialized vocabulary used in art history,
enhance their visual literacy and critical thinking skills

Class Expectations: Look and think about what you’re looking at!

Students are responsible for: images, names, and vocabulary on the slide lists, information presented in lecture and assigned readings, including the general historical context.
Good note-taking skills are essential to passing the class. My PowerPoint files are NOT posted online. Text on the PowerPoints are provided as a model for note-taking from the textbook.
Participate! Practice mindfulness and be aware of your surroundings, tune in rather than tune out, and interact with your classmates and the art

Websites: This course utilizes two websites, the main one on Blackboard for the Discussion Board, quizzes, and exams, with the secondary one on the OpenLab.

Technology Requirements:

Students must have dependable access to a computer and be able to use an Internet browser. (Dependable means you NEED to have regular and reliable access to the Internet and a computer. Using only a smartphone, relying on a friend’s computer, cramming in lessons on a work computer or at an internship, and other similar reasons almost guarantee failure).
You will need a City Tech email account and should be comfortable using it. You will also need access to City Tech’s Blackboard service. Accounts and passwords to the CUNY Portal should be arranged prior to the beginning of the semester.
The Announcements Section on Blackboard is the most important communication link of the course. Please make sure you check your Announcements regularly, at least 2x/week to stay up-to-date on lessons, quizzes, and discussions.
If you cannot work in a quiet space, you may need a set of headphones to be able to listen to video lectures and podcasts

Online Course Responsibilities:

To succeed in an online course, you must be self-motivated and enjoy working independently. Some lessons will take considerable time to complete, while others will require less time. Be patient as you work your way through the readings during your first few weeks. Allot the appropriate amount of time for the course and avoid cramming lessons in one sitting.

Students should plan to take approximately 3 hours each week to thoroughly review all the material that I have posted for the week. In addition, you should allocate time to contribute to online discussions, review the posts of your classmates, add your own posts, study, and take the quiz. My expectation is that this will take an additional 2 hours. In general, please be prepared to spend approximately 5 hours per week online.

Online Decorum:

Consideration for the feelings of others is expected. People cannot see you smile and may not know when you are joking. Do not tell people they are wrong, but explain why you believe differently. Offer constructive criticism by directing your classmates to your source of information. Any use of profanity, insults that defame character, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, etc. are inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

Websites:

You must access the class website by logging onto Blackboard. You can access Blackboard via http://portal.cuny.edu/. All class contact will be made via Blackboard and your City Tech email. If you haven’t activated your CityTech email and don’t know how to, you will need to contact the student helpdesk at StudentHelpdesk@citytech.cuny.edu. Readings will link to an Open Education Resource (OER) on CityTech’s OpenLab.

Weekly Lessons:

Works of art are posted weekly on Blackboard. You will need to download the images and complete the readings and videos each week. You do not have to print the image files (if you do, please print in Black & White because the images are color-intensive and will use much ink). Each document will begin with a list of works of art that you are responsible for on the quizzes along with important terms and vocabulary. Pay attention to these works of art, terms, and vocabulary as you do your readings. Take notes while you go through these outlines and listen/watch lectures and podcasts.

Grading:

Online Discussion Board 25%

Paper 1 20%

Final Project 20%

Quizzes (best 6 out of 7) 25%

FINAL Exam 10%

PLEASE NOTE: Failure to turn in the paper or submit an exam, plagiarism, and cheating will result in a zero (0), not F for the assignment/exam.

Important Dates:

October 16, Fri Paper Due

Nov 6, Fri Last day to withdraw with W grade

Dec 6, Sun Final Project Due

Begins Dec 14, Mon Final Exam Week

Department and College Policies

NYCCT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

Students and all others who work with information, ideas, texts, images, music, inventions, and other intellectual property owe their audience and sources accuracy and honesty in using, crediting, and citing sources. As a community of intellectual and professional workers, the College recognizes its responsibility for providing instruction in information literacy and academic integrity, offering models of good practice, and responding vigilantly and appropriately to infractions of academic integrity. Accordingly, academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York and at New York City College of Technology and is punishable by penalties, including failing grades, suspension, and expulsion.

HUMANITIES DEPARTMENT ATTENDANCE POLICY

It is the conviction of the Humanities department that a student who is not in a class for any reason is not receiving the benefit of the education being provided. Missed class time includes not just absences but also latenesses, early departures, and time outside the classroom taken by students during class meeting periods. Missed time impacts any portion of the final grade overtly allocated to participation and/or any grades awarded for activities that relate to presence in class.

HUMANITIES DIVERSITY STATEMENT

The Humanities Department complies with the college wide nondiscrimination policy and seeks to foster a safe and inclusive learning environment that celebrates diversity in its many forms and enhances our students’ ability to be informed, global citizens. Through our example, we demonstrate an appreciation of the rich diversity of world cultures and the unique forms of expression that make us human.

Disability/Medical Accommodations Statement

City Tech is committed to supporting the educational goals of enrolled students with disabilities in the areas of enrollment, academic advisement, tutoring, assistive technologies and testing accommodations. If you have or think you may have a disability, you may be eligible for reasonable accommodations or academic adjustments as provided under applicable federal, state and city laws. You may also request services for temporary conditions or medical issues under certain circumstances. If you have questions about your eligibility or would like to seek accommodation services or academic adjustments, please contact the Center for Student Accessibility at 300 Jay Street room L-237, 718 260 5143, or http://www.citytech.cuny.edu/accessibility/
N.B., Students who miss a scheduled presentation or exam due to illness or medically-related emergencies will be referred to the Center for Student Accessibility. The CSA will review any documentation requested and give the student a letter to share with the relevant instructor if accommodations need to be made.

Course Outline

This syllabus is subject to change.

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