Major Concepts/Content: The art appreciation course is designed for students who want a broad introduction to the world of art, with or without exploratory work in the studio. The course includes a brief overview of the major styles and periods of world art, facilitated by the use of slides, films, and reproductions. Emphasis will be placed on understanding and relating artworks to the environment and time in which they were created.

Major Instructional Activities: Students will compare selected works of art with other art forms of the same period, describe the conceptual and intuitive modes of investigation commonly employed by the artist, identify architectural or craft styles that are representative of particular periods, identify several artists who are representative of the major movements in art, demonstrate the use of basic vocabulary for art history and criticism, and identify the media and processes employed in significant works of art. Visits to museums will be included when feasible.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Both written and oral tests will be used to evaluate knowledge of course content.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the art appreciation course, students should be able to:

1. Create Works of Art

• Research and produce an artwork using the medium and the techniques of a selected artist, style, or art movement.

2. Demonstrate Aesthetic Perception

• Describe the importance of the visual arts in specific cultures.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the influence of art on the local environment.
• Compare the visual arts of various cultures.

3. Develop Knowledge of Art Heritage

• Recognize the major styles and movements found throughout history in painting, sculpture, and architecture.
• Identify the characteristics of major art styles, periods, and movements.
• Identify artists and artworks that are representative of significant art styles, periods, and movements.
• Demonstrate an understanding of art as an expression of specific societies and cultures.

4. Utilize Critical Judgment of the Visual Arts

• Apply the elements and principles of art to selected artworks that are representative of significant art styles, periods, and movements.
• Discuss the composition of selected artworks.
• Judge the quality of design of functional objects.

Last Revised: July 18, 2005