Revised Syllabus Spring 2021 (as of4:8:21)
Updated Course Schedule Spring 2021 (REVISED 5/5/21)
ARTD 1010 Art: Its History and Meaning
Spring 2021 (1/29/2021-5/25/2021)
Professor Anna Carroll
Thursday 6:05-8:50PM
Office Hours: Thursdays 7-8PM
Course Description: Introduction to art, emphasizing visual literacy in an historical context. Major works of art and architecture, drawn from a wide range of world cultures and periods from ancient times to the present, will be explored. This will be a primarily asynchronous class; we will meet over Zoom occasionally throughout the semester. Please review the course schedule for details. Office hours will be over Zoom. The class will run through a CUNY Academic Commons site (https://art1010carroll.commons.gc.cuny.edu/). Because we will be meeting over Zoom infrequently, every week on Thursday evenings I will email with any announcements and a summary of what to expect for the next week. Each module is open for a week; the course schedule contains a checklist of what must be completed for each module, as well as due dates and how to submit assignments.
Course Goals and Learning Outcomes, according to Brooklyn College
- Students will learn to analyze works of art critically from both an historical and an interpretative point of view; in addition, they will gain an understanding of the importance of cultural diversity through exposure to the arts of many different times and places.
- Students will have extensive practice in articulating aesthetic judgments effectively in spoken and written form.
- Students will learn how to draw upon the cultural riches of New York City to enhance their learning within and outside the classroom. Given limited access to museums, students will make use of online resources.
- Identify unique characteristics of several artistic traditions, and recognize and analyze the differences among the major periods, artists, genres, and theories of art.
- Use terms of art historical analysis correctly and be able to apply them to unfamiliar works.
Grade Breakdown
Formal Analysis Quizzes: 10% (5% each)
Discussion Posts: 20% (4% each)
Paper Thesis and Notes: 5%
Formal Analysis Paper: 10%
Final Paper: 20%
Midterm: 15%
Final: 20%
Grades
A+ 97-100
A 93-96
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0-59, or plagiarism
CUNY Academic Commons: Our course website is on CUNY Academic Commons. On our course site you will find PowerPoints, study materials, assignment descriptions, and rubrics. Our course website is: https://art1010carroll.commons.gc.cuny.edu/
The Academic Commons Group: Before the first class, you will receive an email with instructions on how to register for our Academic Commons Group, which is a forum connected to our class website that allows private discussion threads. These threads are private to group members, so only I and your classmates can see them. You will use this group to participate in discussion forums. Our group can be accessed through this link: http://cuny.is/group-artd1010-spring-2021
Weekly Lecture: You will find the weekly lecture under the Slides section of the Academic Commons website (click the small triangle next to “slides” to access the dropdown menu). AFTER completing the assigned readings (found under the Readings section of the Academic Commons website), review the lecture. The lecture is a PowerPoint with prerecorded audio. You will also find a word document with the script of that audio. You may refer to the script and/or the audio as you choose.
Quizzes: Quizzes will consist of one essay question asking you to describe a work of art or compare two works of art. You may or may not have seen the work(s) of art before. These are graded out of 100 points. You will find the quizzes and a rubric on the Academic Commons site under Assignments . Quizzes are submitted by email. Quizzes are open book (you may refer to class notes and readings), but you should not be browsing the internet for extra information on the work, nor should your response contain someone else’s writing on that work. Lecture notes should not be copied, as this is considered plagiarism.
Discussion Forums: In discussion forums (found though our Academic Commons group) you are expected to post a substantial answer to an initial prompt that I will post AND post a substantial reply to at least one of your classmates. These are graded out of 10 points. Discussion forums are open book (you may refer to class notes and readings), but you should not be browsing the internet for extra information on the work(s), nor should your response contain someone else’s writing on that work. Lecture notes should not be copied, as this is considered plagiarism.
Class “Coffee Shop”: There is a discussion thread in our Academic Commons Group titled “Coffee Shop.” This is a virtual meeting place for the class, where you can post questions about assignments, lectures, etc. I will monitor the forum and answer questions, but you are encouraged to reply to each other as well.
Midterm: The midterm is a take home exam. It will be open book, meaning lecture notes and class readings can be consulted. However, lecture notes should not be copied, as this is considered plagiarism. You may not use the internet to look anything up outside of the readings. You will have two comparisons and one longer essay. The exam will be posted on 3/23 and it is due by 11:59PM on 3/24 by email. The Midterm will be available under ASSIGNMENTS on CUNY Academic Commons.
Final Exam: The final is a take home exam. It will be open book, meaning lecture notes and class readings can be consulted. However, lecture notes should not be copied, as this is considered plagiarism. You may not use the internet to look anything up outside of the readings. You will have four comparisons and 2 longer essays. The exam will be posted on 5/20 and it is due by 11:59PM on 5/21 by email. The final will be available under ASSIGNMENTS on CUNY Academic Commons. There will be no extensions for the final exam.
Papers:Over the semester you will complete a series of assignments building towards a final paper. This will consist of three parts: paper notes and thesis, a formal analysis paper, and the final paper. Instructions for each of these assignments can be found under ASSIGNMENTS in CUNY Academic Commons.
Final Paper Revisions: After receiving your grade for your final paper, you will have the opportunity to revise your paper based on my comments for a new grade. (If your grade on the revised paper is lower, you will receive the initial higher grade).
Extra Credit: Five extra credit comparisons will be posted throughout the semester, as indicated on the course schedule. These will be posted under assignments on the course website. You can use these to practice formal analysis and comparison writing. Write one page comparing the two works. If you hand in three of these and show improvement, it can raise your overall grade by 1/3 of a grade. For example, if you’re at a C+, your grade would be raised to a B-. In no circumstance will completing these lower your grade.
CLASS POLICIES
Plagiarism Statement, according to Brooklyn College:
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn College procedure for policy implementation can be found at www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.
Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated in this class, and any instance of plagiarism will result in a 0%. Please come to office hours or make an appointment if you have any questions about plagiarism or need help citing sources.
Online Code of Conduct: It is extremely important that the online classroom be a safe and respectful environment. To that end, there are a few expectations for behavior in all virtual learning spaces, including Zoom meetings, discussion forums, and the class “coffee shop.” There should be no cursing in any of these spaces. When responding to a classmate, please do so respectfully, even when disagreeing. For example, calling someone else’s idea or post “stupid,” is against our code of conduct. When disagreeing offer evidence or ask questions in a collegial way that encourages further discussion, rather than invalidating a classmate’s ideas. Should there ever be an issue, please feel free to contact me. As your professor, I will monitor all class online spaces; should a post violate the code of conduct it will be removed. When we meet over Zoom, you are expected to maintain this online code of conduct. You are not required to have your camera on, and please mute yourself when you are not speaking. Zoom sessions will not be recorded as this is a privacy issue, but after each Zoom session I will post notes summarizing the class.
Disability Policy, as per Brooklyn College: In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services, please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her. The Center for Student Disability Services is working remotely. Please see their website for information on how to contact the office: https://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/offices/studentaffairs/student-support-services/disability.php
Student Bereavement Policy: Students who experience the death of a loved one must contact the Division of Student Affairs, 2113 Boylan Hall, if they wish to implement either the Standard Bereavement Procedure or the Leave of Absence Bereavement Procedure. The Division of Student Affairs has the right to request a document that verifies the death (e.g., a funeral program or death notice).
Typically, this death involves that of a family member, in parallel to the bereavement policy for faculty and staff. However, it is up to the discretion of the Division of Student Affairs to determine if a death outside of the immediate family warrants implementation of the student bereavement policy.
http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/initiatives/policies/bereavement.php
Nonattendance because of religious beliefs: According to New York State Education Law, students will not be penalized for missing class because of religious beliefs. Please see the Undergraduate Bulletin for more information.
A Note on Technology: I expect there will be technology issues throughout the semester; if you can’t access something or are having issues with internet access, please email me to let me know. I’m also expecting that it will take some time for many of us to become familiar with the Academic Commons, please reach out with questions!
Brooklyn College has made a number of resources available for students during the ongoing pandemic. These can be found at: https://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/web/about/offices/studentaffairs/health-wellness/coronavirus/student-resources.php
If you have concerns or issues that arise during the semester due to the pandemic as regards assignments, class participation, etc…, please reach out to me.
PLEASE NOTE: I reserve the right to change this syllabus throughout the semester. Please check the course website for updates.
COURSE SCHEDULE (all times are eastern standard)
Module 1 2/4-2/10: Introduction and Prehistory
Zoom Meeting: Mandatory meeting 2/4 at 7pm
Power Points to review:
1. Prehistory
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Robert Glass, “Introduction to art historical analysis,” https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-art-historical-analysis/
2. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “How to do visual (formal) analysis,” https://smarthistory.org/visual-analysis/
Assignments due 2/10 at 11:59PM:
1. None
Module 2 2/11-2/17: Ancient Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt
Zoom Meeting: optional office hours 2/11 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Ancient Mesopotamia
2. Ancient Egypt
Assigned reading to complete:
1. “Mesopotamia, 8000-2000 B.C.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/02/wam.html
2. Dr. Senta German, “Ancient Near East: Cradle of Civilization” https://smarthistory.org/ancient-near-east-cradle-of-civilization/
3. Dr. Amy Calvert, “Ancient Egypt, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/ancient-egypt-an-introduction/
4. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti and Three of their Daughters,” https://smarthistory.org/house-altar-depicting-akhenaten-nefertiti-and-three-of-their-daughters/
Assignments due 2/17 at 11:59PM:
1. None
Module 3 2/18-2/24: Ancient China
Zoom Meeting: optional office hours 2/18 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Ancient China
How to write an art history paper
Assigned reading to complete:
1. “Shang and Zhou Dynasties: The Bronze Age of China,” https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shzh/hd_shzh.htm
2. “Scholar-Officials of China” in Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/schg/hd_schg.htm
3. Dr. Asa Simon Mittman, “Power: spotlight – The Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi,” https://smarthistory.org/terracotta-army-emperor-qin-shi-huangdi/
Assignments due 2/24 at 11:59PM:
1. Module 3 Discussion- post and reply to a classmate in Academic Commons thread
Module 4 2/25-3/3: The Ancient Mediterranean World
Zoom meeting: Optional paper writing workshop 2/25 at 7PM
Power Points to review:
1. The Ancient Mediterranean World
Assigned reading to complete:
1. The British Museum, “Ancient Greece, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/ancient-greece-an-introduction/
2. Hemingway, Colette, and Seán Hemingway. “The Art of Classical Greece (ca. 480-323 B.C.),” https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/tacg/hd_tacg.htm
3. Lightfoot, Christopher. “The Roman Empire (27 B.C.-393 A.D.)” https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roem/hd_roem.htm
4. Dr. Allen Farber, “Early Christianity, an introduction.” https://smarthistory.org/early-christianity-an-introduction/
5. Brooks, Sarah. “Byzantium (ca. 330-1453),” https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/byza/hd_byza.htm
6. Dr. Davor Džalto, “Iconoclastic Controversies,” https://smarthistory.org/iconoclastic-controversies/
Assignments due 3/3 at 11:59PM:
1. Paper Thesis and Notes- email to Prof. Carroll
2. Optional Extra Credit 1- email to Prof. Carroll
Module 5 3/4-3/10: Islamic Art
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 3/4 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Islamic Art
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis, “Arts of the Islamic World,” https://smarthistory.org/arts-of-the-islamic-world/
2. TED-Ed, “The complex geometry of Islamic design,” https://smarthistory.org/the-complex-geometry-of-islamic-design/.
3. Kendra Weisbin, “Introduction to mosque architecture,” https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-mosque-architecture/.
4. Dr. Allen Farber, “Early Christianity, an introduction.” https://smarthistory.org/early-christianity-an-introduction/
Assignments due 3/10 at 11:59PM:
1. Quiz 1 – email to Prof. Carroll
Module 6 3/11-3/17: The Middle Ages in Asia and Europe
Zoom meeting: mandatory midterm review 3/11 at 7PM
Power Points to review:
1. The Middle Ages in Asia and Europe
2. Midterm Review
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Elizabeth Macaulay-Lewis, “Arts of the Islamic World,” https://smarthistory.org/arts-of-the-islamic-world/
2. Dr. Karen Shelby, “Buddhist Monasteries,” https://smarthistory.org/buddhist-monasteries/
3. Kendra Weisbin, “Introduction to mosque architecture,” https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-mosque-architecture/.
4. Dr. Andreas Petzold, “A beginner’s guide to Romanesque art,” https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-romanesque-art/.
5. Valerie Spanswick, “Gothic architecture, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/gothic-architecture-an-introduction/
Assignments due 3/17 at 11:59PM:
1. Module 6 Discussion- post and reply to a classmate in Academic Commons thread
Module 7 3/18-3/24: Midterm Exam
Zoom meeting: none
Power Points to review:
1. None
Assigned reading to complete:
1. None
Assignments due 3/25 at 11:59PM:
1. Midterm exam- email to Prof. Carroll (exam will be posted 3/23 by 12AM)
Module 8 3/25-4/4: Spring Break
Module 9 4/5-4/7: Aztec Art and New Spain
Zoom meeting: none
Power Points to review:
1. Aztec Art and New Spain
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank, “Mesoamerica, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/mesoamerica-an-introduction/.
2. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank, “Introduction to the Aztecs (Mexica),” https://smarthistory.org/introduction-mexica/.
3. “Mexico, 1400-1600 A.D.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/08/canm.html (Make sure to also read the key events section)
4. Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank and Dr. Steven Zucker, “New Spain, an Introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/new-spain/
Assignments due 3/31 at 11:59PM:
1. Formal Analysis Paper- email to Prof. Carroll
2. Optional Extra Credit 2- email to Prof. Carroll
Module 10 4/8-4/14: The Renaissance in Europe
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 4/8 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. The Renaissance in Europe
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, “How to recognize Italian Renaissance art,” https://smarthistory.org/how-to-recognize-italian-renaissance-art/.
2. Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “How one-point linear perspective works,” https://smarthistory.org/how-one-point-linear-perspective-works/.
3. Oxford University Press, “A beginner’s guide to Mannerism,” https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-mannerism/.
4. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “The Protestant Reformation,” https://smarthistory.org/the-protestant-reformation/.
5. Esperança Camara, “Baroque art, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-baroque-art/.
Assignments due 4/14 at 11:59PM:
1. Module 10 Discussion- post and reply to a classmate in Academic Commons thread
Module 11 4/15-4/21: Post-Renaissance Europe
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 4/15 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Post-Renaissance Europe
Assigned reading to complete:
1. April Renée Lynch, “Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun, Self-Portrait,” https://smarthistory.org/elisabeth-louise-vigee-le-brun-self-portrait/.
2. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “Antoine Watteau, Pilgrimage to Cythera,” https://smarthistory.org/antoine-watteau-pilgrimage-to-cythera/
3. Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris, “The Age of Enlightenment, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-the-age-of-enlightenment/.
4. Galitz, Kathryn Calley. “Romanticism,” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/roma/hd_roma.htm
5. Dr. Nancy Demerdash, “Orientalism,” https://smarthistory.org/orientalism/.
Assignments due 4/21 at 11:59PM:
1. Module 11 Discussion- post and reply to a classmate in Academic Commons thread
2. Optional Extra Credit 3- email to Prof. Carroll
Module 12 4/22-4/28: Yoruba Peoples and The Kingdom of Benin
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 4/22 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Yoruba Peoples and the Kingdom of Benin
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Christa Clarke, “Aesthetics,” https://smarthistory.org/aesthetics/
2. Dr. Christa Clarke, “Form and meaning,” https://smarthistory.org/form-and-meaning/.
3. Dr. Christa Clarke, “Art and politics,” https://smarthistory.org/art-and-politics/.
4. The British Museum, “Kingdom of Ife: Sculptures from West Africa” https://smarthistory.org/kingdom-of-ife-sculptures-from-west-africa/
5. Benjamin Sutton, “Long in Exile, the Looted Benin Bronzes Tell the Story of a Mighty African Kingdom,” https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-long-exile-looted-benin-bronzes-story-mighty-african-kingdom (the site might prompt you to create an account; you don’t need to to access the article)
Assignments due 4/28 at 11:59PM:
1. Final Paper- email to Prof. Carroll
2. Optional Extra Credit 4- email to Prof. Carroll
Module 13 4/29-5/5: Modernisms
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 4/29 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Modernisms
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Finocchio, Ross. “Nineteenth-Century French Realism.” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/rlsm/hd_rlsm.htm
2. Dr. Beth Gersh-Nesic, “Impressionism, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/a-beginners-guide-to-impressionism/.
3. Voorhies, James. “Post-Impressionism.” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/poim/hd_poim.htm
4. The Art Assignment, “The Case for Abstraction,” https://smarthistory.org/case-for-abstraction/.
Assignments due 5/5 at 11:59PM:
Quiz 2- email to Prof. Carroll
Module 14 5/6-5/12: 20th Century Art in the United States
Zoom meeting: optional office hours 5/6 at 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. 20th Century Art in the United States
Assigned reading to complete:
1. Dr. Stephanie Chadwick, “Introduction to Dada,” https://smarthistory.org/introduction-to-dada/.
2. Josh R. Rose, “Surrealism, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/surrealism-intro/.
3. Dr. Virginia B. Spivey, “Abstract Expressionism, an introduction,” https://smarthistory.org/abstract-expressionism-an-introduction/.
Dr. Virginia B. Spivey, “Pop Art,” https://smarthistory.org/pop-art/.
Assignments due 5/12 at 11:59PM:
1. Module 14 Discussion- post and reply to a classmate in Academic Commons thread
Module 15 5/13-5/19: Contemporary Art
Zoom meeting: mandatory final review 5/13 7-8PM
Power Points to review:
1. Contemporary Art
2. Final Review
Assigned reading to complete:
1. “Watch this $1.4 Million Banksy Painting Shred Itself As Soon As It’s Sold,” https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-14-million-bansky-painting-shred-itself-soon-it-sold-180970486/
2. “A Game Changer,” https://time.com/5158961/obama-portrait-kehinde-wiley-amy-sherald-interview/
Assignments due 5/19 at 11:59PM:
1. Optional Final Paper Revisions- email to Prof. Carroll
2. Optional Extra Credit 5- email to Prof. Carroll
FINAL EXAM DUE 5/21
The exam will by posted 5/20 by 12AM and is due by email to Prof. Carroll 5/21 at 11:59PM
