Midwestern State University

ART 1413 – Art Appreciation

(Fall 2023)

William McKinney                                                                                 Fain Fine Arts: Studio/C111

8:00am – 8:50 am MWF                                                       Office Hours - C119 or by Zoom Appointment:            

William.mckinney@MSU.edu                                                                10:00 - 12:00 Tuesday/Thursday 

Campus police: (940) 397-4239                                                                          9-911 (any emergency)

This syllabus is subject to change!

Course Description

This course is designed to give an introduction to the world history of art and visual culture while giving students an appreciation for art.  We will focus on the "means" of art, the way artists use visual language and communication, as well as the history and social functions of art in a variety of cultures.  This course has no prerequisites and satisfies the requirement for a Core class fulfillment for Creative Arts.

Course Requirements

Participation:  It is vitally important that our classroom environment promote the respectful exchange of ideas, including being sensitive to the views and beliefs discussed during online discussions.  Your success in this course will depend on your communication, consistent engagement, and active participation in all course activities.  Success in this course requires that you adhere to the deadlines given as you complete assignments, discussions, and other course activities. Late work will not be accepted.

Turnitin:  By taking this course, you agree that all required written assignments may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin for the detection of plagiarism.  Some papers submitted for review will be included as source documents in the global Turnitin repository to be used in future reviews.  You should remove your name and any other personally identifying information from your papers prior to submission to Turnitin.

Reading and Quizzes:                Students are expected to complete the assigned weekly reading. Weekly quizzes will further understanding of the vocabulary, concepts, and topics used within online discussion and assignments.

Exams:                                     There will not be exams in this class unless deemed necessary by lack of participation.  Ie. If it is obvious that reading is not happening on a regular basis and writing assignments are being poorly done.

Writing Assignments:               Some Fridays there will be a D2L Assignment.  These are writing assignments and are designed to teach students how to describe, analyze formal qualities, interpret, and evaluate visual art.

Research Paper                        There will be a short research paper assigned in this course.  The final paper will require students to go to a museum or gallery and select a work of art, or select a work of public art, and write a visual and conceptual analysis of the work.  Students must also turn in a photograph of themselves at the site.  Prior approval of the work / topic is required.  Additional guidelines will be given as the paper assignment is introduced in class.         

Course Objectives

Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

●  Identify the function of art in human society and describe the value of art as a cultural endeavor.

●  Define basic art terms, processes and media, and identify design principles and elements in a range of artworks.

●  Recognize and describe key works, periods, and styles in art history.

●  Employ electronic tools and resources to research subjects in art.

●  Apply critical looking and thinking tools in studying artworks firsthand at a cultural institution.

●  Produce critical writing that includes description, analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of selected artworks.

●  Synthesize social justice and current events in written communication.

Social Justice Defined

Social justice is one of Midwestern State University’s stated core values. The classroom is a place where students will treat and be treated with respect, regardless of their worldview, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious or spiritual affiliation or lack thereof, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Diversity of thought is THE KEYSTONE in effective intellectual and academic pursuits. Difference of opinion is valued here.

Students will be expected to keep their minds and hearts open and refrain from expressing denigrating judgments of others’ cultures, values, and material/cultural production.

Course Materials

The following texts are required and are available for purchase in the university bookstore. You must buy the digital TEXTBOOK.  The textbook is only available at the bookstore electronically. 

Required Texts 

Sayre, Henry M. A World of Art, 8^th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2013.

Students MUST purchase access to REVEL at the REVEL/Pearson website to complete on-line tests and quizzes.  The publisher is not printing physical copies of the book.

How to access the online platform

You will be able to access Revel (the textbook) when I invite you to the course.

Here's more information for your course section:

Course start date: Aug 28, 2023

Course end date: Dec 8, 2023

Course Evaluation

Student work will be reviewed by means of formal evaluations.  Students will be evaluated according to predetermined requirements for all assignments/papers/quizzes and all pointes are weighted equally.

I will not accept late work, nor will I accept an electronic failure as an excuse.  PLEASE KEEP YOUR WORK BACKED UP!!

Plagiarism is unacceptable and will result in a 0 for the project.  No exceptions.  Any students found guilty of academic dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action as per the student handbook.

Grading Criteria

A              Excellent (4.0) 90 – 100

                The student displayed exceptional grasp of course material. Written work contained tightly argued, effectively organized, and clearly articulated information. Work demonstrated original ideas and insights AND demonstrates skillful critical thinking.

B.              Very Good (3.0) 80 – 90

                The student demonstrated some critical grasp of the material. Written work contained a well-developed argument with attention to detail in research and writing and demonstrates some critical thinking.

C.              Acceptable (2.0) 70 – 80

          The student demonstrated limited knowledge of the material. Written work contained little attention to detail and no strength of argument and demonstrates limited critical thinking.

D             Poor (1.0) 60 – 70

               The student demonstrated inadequate knowledge of course material. Written work contained poor organization, ineffectual argument, and little attention to detail and demonstrates inadequate knowledge of course material.

F              Failing (0.0) 50 – 60

                The student demonstrated the total absence of any grasp of course material. Written work lacked coherent    argument and organization and demonstrates no grasp of course material.

Policies

You are responsible for familiarizing yourself with the course requirements and polices described in this syllabus.

Expected Standards Of Conduct 

As a member of this course, you are part of a community. As such, you have made a commitment to yourself, to me, and to the other students enrolled in the course. Respect and dignity are course requirements as important as those listed earlier in the syllabus. Demonstrating respect for the process of learning, for the variety of cultures and worldviews discussed, and for your role and contribution to the course are critical components of your commitment to this class. Comporting yourself with dignity and treating your classmates and professor in a similar manner are additional important expectations of every student.

Attendance Policy:

Students enrolled in the Juanita and Ralph Harvey School of Visual Arts must comply with the following department-wide Attendance and Lateness Policy:

●      If you are sick . . . don’t come to class!!  We can Zoom/Facetime you in if appropriate

●      Students arriving after class begins will be considered late. Students arriving 10 minutes after class begins will be counted absent.

●      THREE late arrivals count as an absence.

●      Students may be absent from class THREE times without penalty and without providing any documentation regarding the absence.

●      If students incur a FOURTH absence, their final course evaluation will be reduced by a full letter grade.

●      If students are absent or late FIVE times, whatever the reason, they will receive a FAILING GRADE, be dropped from the class roll, and be asked to stop attending class.

●      Example: after your 4^th absence, a 90% (A) will become an 80% (B)

●      Example: after your 4^th absence and 3^rd tardy, an 80% will become an F and you will be dropped

●      Faculty members have the discretion to make exceptions to this policy based on individual circumstances.

●      When you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to contact class members and learn what you missed.

Written Work 

The following guidelines apply to all submitted work and examinations.

●      Written work (an electronic copy) must be uploaded to D2L or Revel by the time/day it is due

●      Computer failures will NOT be accepted as an excuse for not turning something in

●      Do NOT send me your assignments via email

●      You will receive a detailed assignment “sheet” for written assignments

●      I will not grant incompletes

Academic Honesty From Appendix E (Page 119 - 2015-2016 MSU Student Handbook)

Academic Dishonesty: Cheating, collusion, and plagiarism (the act of using source material of other persons, either published or unpublished, without following the accepted techniques of crediting, or the submission for credit of work not the individual’s to whom credit is given). Additional guidelines on procedures in these matters may be found in the Office of Student Conduct. 

1. The term “cheating” includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition without permissions, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university, faculty, or staff. 
2. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, the use by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials. 
3. The term “collusion” means collaboration with another person in preparing work offered for credit if that collaboration is not authorized by the faculty member in charge.

Special Needs

Please let me know by the end of the first week if you have learning or physical challenges that require accommodation. 

Student Privacy 

Federal law prohibits the professor from releasing student information to outside parties without the student’s signed consent. The professor will not discuss students’ academic progress or other matters with parents, guardians, or any outside parties.

Code Of Student Conduct: Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so.

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, we, the students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MWSU Student Senate

Conduct Statement

Behavior that interferes with either the instructor’s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to benefit from the instruction will result in the instructor removing the disruptive student(s) from the course, either temporarily or permanently (instructor drop), and receive a final lower grade, up to an including an F. In addition, and depending upon the nature of the behavior or conduct, the student(s) may be subject to further disciplinary actions as per MWSU policies.

Course Outline

Section 1: Art as a Visual Language                                        Chapters 1 - 4                         

            Section 2: Methods of Production - Traditional 2D               Chapters 5-7                           Test 1

            Section 3: Methods of Production - New Media and 3D       Chapters 8 – 10                       

            Section 4: Art History and Content pt 1                                 Chapters 11 – 13                     

            Section 4: Art History and Content pt 2                                 Chapters 14 - 15                     

Section 5: Themes of Art and special topics                          Chapters 21-27                       Test 2

ART 1413: ART APPRECIATION COURSE OUTLINE

The course outline is subject to change.

Week 1

PART ONE: THE VISUAL WORLD

1:1 August 28

Course Introduction, Overview, and Syllabus

1:2 August 30

Theme:  Visual Literacy, Acquiring and Mastering the Language of Art

Reading: Chapter: 1, Discovering a World of Art

1:3 September 1

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

Week 2

PART ONE: THE VISUAL WORLD 

        2:1 September 4

LABOR DAY / NO CLASS

2:2 September 6

Chapter: 2, Developing Visual Literacy          

2:3 September 8

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 3

PART TWO: THE FORMAL ELEMENTS

3:1 September 11

Theme: Line as the Mark Made by the Artist 

Reading: Chapter: 3, Line

3:2 September 13

Theme: Line as the Mark Made by the Artist 

Reading: Chapter: 3, Line

      3:3 September 15

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK  4

PART TWO: THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN 

4:1 September 18

Theme: Towards An Awareness of Space

Reading: Chapter: 4, Shape and Space

4:2 September 20

Theme: Towards An Awareness of Space

Reading: Chapter: 4, Shape and Space

      4:3 September 22

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 5

PART TWO: THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN 

5:1 September25

Theme:  Color Theory

Reading: Chapter: 5, Light and Color

5:2 September 27

Theme:  Texture, Time, and Motion

Reading: Chapter: 6, Texture, Time, and Motion

5:3 September 29

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 6

6:1 October 2

Theme: The Principles of Design

Reading: Chapter: 7, The Principles of Design

6:2 October 4

Midterm EXAM

6:3 October 6

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 7

PART THREE: FINE ARTS MEDIA 

7:1 October 9

Reading: Chapter: 8, Drawing

7:2 October 11

Reading: Chapter:  9 Painting

7:3 October 13

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 8

PART THREE: THE FINE ARTS MEDIA

8:1 October 16

Reading: Chapter: 10 Printmaking

8:2 October 18

Reading: Chapter: 10 Printmaking

8:3 October 20

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 9

9:1 October 23

Reading: Chapter: 11, Photography and Time-Based Media

9:2 October 25

Reading: Chapter: 12, Sculpture 

9:3 October 27

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 10

PART FOUR: ART IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

10:1 October 30

Reading: Chapter: 13, The Craft Media

10:2 November 1

Reading: Chapter: 13, The Craft Media

        10:3 November 3

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 11

Part Four: ART IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT

11:1 November 6

Reading: Chapter: 14, Architecture  

11:2 November 8

Reading: Chapter: 15, The Design Profession

       11:3 November 10

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 12

12:1 November 13

Reading: Chapter 19, The Eighteen and Nineteenth Century

12:2 November 15

Reading: Chapter 19, The Eighteen and Nineteenth Century

12:2 November 17

Remote Learning Assignment on D2L Discussion Platform

WEEK 13

Holiday – No Class Session

13:1 November 20

Holiday – No Class Session

Holiday – No Class Session

13:2 November 22

Holiday – No Class Session

     13:3 November 24

Holiday – No Class Session

WEEK 14

Part Four: ART IN HISTORICAL CONTEXT Part Five: THEMES IN ART (Surveyed as time permits) 

14:1 November 27

Reading: Chapter 20, From 1900 to the Present

14:2 November 29

Reading: Chapter 20, From 1900 to the Present

14:3 December 1

Reading: Chapter 20, From 1900 to the Present

WEEK 15

Part Five: THEMES IN ART (Surveyed as time permits)

15:1 December 4

Chapter 21, Spiritual Belief

Anish Kapoor?

15:2 December 6

Chapter 24, The Body, Gender, and Identity

Greyson Perry?

16:1 December 8

Exam Week,

Final EXAM: 7 CHAPTERS 8-16

ART 1413: ART APPRECIATION COURSE OUTLINE

The course outline is subject to change.

Date

Reading

Assignment/Quiz/Test

Week 1

Course Introduction, Overview

Chapter 1 Reading 

See Revel

Week 2

Chapter 2 Reading

See Revel

Week 3

Chapter 3 and 4 Reading

See Revel

Week 4

Chapter 5 and 6 Reading

See Revel

Week 5

Chapter 7 Reading

See Revel

Week 6

Chapter 8 and 9 Reading

See Revel

Week 7

Chapter 10 and 11 Reading

See Revel

Week 8

Chapter 11 and 12 Reading

See Revel

Week 9

Chapter 13 and 14 Reading

See Revel

Week 10

Chapter 16 and 17 Reading

See Revel

Week 11

Chapter 18 and 19 Reading

See Revel

Week 12

Chapter 20  and 21 Reading

See Revel

Week 13

Chapter 22 and 23 Reading

See Revel

Week 14

Chapter 24 and 25 Reading

See Revel

Week 15

Chapter 26 and 27 Reading

See Revel

Finals Week

Final Exam

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.