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Description: To learn about works of art that are simultaneously material objects, historical documents, and instruments of social communication and exchange. These works of art shall include Art beyond the European tradition as well as the traditional works of European/Western influenced art.

Objectives:  

     1. Analyze art from all aspects in both oral and written forms.

     2. Develop the skills and knowledge essential to have critical understanding of the visual arts.

     3. Investigate the various functions of art objects and the ways they acquire meanings and value for particular audiences.

     4. Explore the traditional questions art historians make about works of art and how they attain special status as “masterful,” “expressive,” or “great.”

 Activities:  The activities will include assignments developing an intimate, first-hand experience through reading, writing, discussion, and looking at art.  The student should be able to gain facts and develop understanding of the larger concepts of philosophy, social and political implications and religion.   Evaluation of the student progress will be made from worksheets completed, group discussions, viewing images, and questions that ask the student to transfer style, function, and historical information from the familiar images to those images that are unfamiliar.  Style, iconography, material, and context are the focus of these artworks.

 Field Trips:  The Kimbell Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art hold examples of traditional European Art  and those works beyond Europe while the Amon Carter Museum  and the Modern Museum of Art in Ft. Worth have  collections of American Art and Contemporary Art.  Viewing artworks live is far more valuable than all the slides, power points, and books available to you.  Visits will be encouraged on your own as well as Saturday meetings with the class.

 Textbooks:  The textbook for our class is Gardner’s 12^th ed. Art Through The Ages.  Each student will have a copy of this text to keep at home for the reading and worksheet assignments but it must be returned at the end of the year.  The text, A Short Guide to Writing About Art by Sylvan Barnet, can be checked out from school and used to facilitate the writing assignments.   I have many additional art history books that will be available, however, unless checked out  they will need to stay in the classroom as they are personal possessions.

 Notebook:  A 3" three ring binder to keep copies of all handouts, worksheets, writing assignments, vocabulary, quizzes/tests and chapter notes; also the student might want a sketching notebook for both drawing and taking notes on the artwork. Some students have also brought in CD's to copy information and power points from the instructor for study.

 Internet:  It will be mandatory to be able to do research on the computer and internet.  If there is no computer at home then access to one at school or public library is imperative.  Please be sure this is acceptable to all parents.