Course Title: ART 201 Introduction to Western Art I
Term: Fall
Course Description
GEP, Major, Minor, Elective credit. Required for all art majors. Prerequisite for all art history courses.
A survey of the painting, sculpture, and architecture of the Western world from the Prehistoric through Medieval periods.
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Course Objectives
In this course, students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to recognize, analyze, and discuss Western art of this period. With this preparation, students will acquire a deeper appreciation and understanding of art and its historical and cultural significance. Upon completing this course students will be able to:
• identify and discuss select examples of art and architecture within the context of major developments in religion, politics, and cultures of the Western world through the Medieval period
• describe the main characteristics of these periods and styles, as well as compare and contrast them
• discuss the historical context and cultural values defining these works and styles
• analyze and discuss works of art based on formal properties, iconography, contextual research, and comparison with the material learned in class
• apply art vocabulary terms when discussing art and architecture
Major Assignments
Quizzes
Students complete 4 short online quizzes through the semester. Quizzes focus on key terminology covered in class rather than images or specific artworks. Students complete quizzes online through the course Canvas page.
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Exams
Students complete 3 non-cumulative exams through the semester. Exams focus on identification of artworks discussed in class and understanding their social and historical significance. Exams include image identification (artist, title, date, historical period/movement, medium), fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer questions. Exam questions are drawn from any and all material covered in the course, including lectures, study guides, discussions, and readings.
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Visual Analysis Essay
Students complete an essay in which they analyze a work of art based on first-hand observations, considering the principles of art discussed in class. They may choose an artwork on display in the Milliken Gallery, the Spartanburg Art Museum, the Wofford College Art Museum, the Johnson Collection Gallery, or the Greenville County Art Museum.
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Student Samples
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Suggested organization for the essay:
1. Introduction
What is the object? Provide the artist, title, date, and subject matter. What is the main focus of your description?
What is the subject of the artwork? Is it a narrative sequence? Is it allegorical? Is it symbolic? Is it a study of form or proportion? If there are figures, who are they? How do they interact? What is happening in the scene?
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2. Visual Analysis
What visual elements (color, shape, form, etc.) does the artist employ and how are they organized (composition)? Do any visual elements have specific meaning to the overall message of the work? How does the appearance of forms and the overall message of the work? What is the artist trying to say? Is there an overarching theme or symbolic context that the artist is providing? What is it? How does the artist convey this message visually?
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3. Conclusion
Sum up the main ideas about the chosen artwork.
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Final Essay
Choosing from provided prompts, students write a 1,000-word essay drawing on material covered in class as well as at least three outside sources. After selecting a prompt, students should develop a clear thesis statement and identify artworks that support that thesis.
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Essays should include:
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a clear thesis statement that outlines your argument and the evidence you will use to support it
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formal and contextual analysis of specific artworks as well as other details specific to the question
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discussion of themes covered in class and how they apply to specific artworks of different cultures and periods
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explanation of why these formal differences exist based on the works’ particular historical and cultural contexts.
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Student Samples
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Final Exams
