ART 112.I50: The Renaissance Through the Present Day
Course Syllabus • 3 Credit Hours • Prerequisite: ENG 085
Sarah Shirk, M. Liberal Studies • shirksarahj@jccmi.edu
Sunflower Seeds, AI Weiwei, 2010, porcelain, paint, 100 million sunflower seeds, Tate Modern, London
Course Description
Students enrolled in ART 112 will explore images and objects from the Western art historical tradition.
Works of art and their aesthetics will be studied within the framework of their original social, political
and spiritual contexts. Course activities include a field trip, writing assignments, and small-group work.
Online collections of art will be visited, including those at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
City, the British Museum of Art in London, and the Louvre in Paris.
Textbook
Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Concise Global History, Third
Edition.
Author: Fred S. Kleiner, Boston University.
ISBN-10: 0495503460. ISBN-13: 9780495503460.
Publisher: Pearson.
Copyright: 2012.
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Course Objectives
1. Work in small groups in order to facilitate an atmosphere of respectful and productive
discussion and collaboration. (Associate Degree Outcome 9)
2. Analyze art and architecture for their essential formal elements.
3. Understand aesthetic experience and artistic creativity. (Associate Degree Outcome 6)
4. Recognize the critical components of each artistic style.
5. Define and use art historical vocabulary terms.
6. Describe the historical, cultural and social aspects of arts.
7. Demonstrate interpretation and critical analysis skills in writing.
Student Responsibilities
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)
5.)
6.)
Be mindful of the course calendar.
Be aware of the required components of each assignment.
Allow yourself to seek out assistance when you need it.
Limit your online research to academically appropriate resources.
Resist any urge to plagiarize.
Manage your time well.
Course Activities and Methods of Evaluation
Discussion Boards (This activity meets the following Course Objectives: 1, 3, 5, & 7.)
Activity: Each week, students will engage in discussion with their peers on an assigned topic.
The instructor will provide two prompts, and students will answer each prompt for up to 5 points
each, for a total of 10 points each week. The following rubric will be used to grade each post.
Discussion Boards will close at midnight every Sunday.
Both Prompts
Addressed
Writing is Clear and
Logical
Accurate Answers
2
3
1.5
0
Both prompts are
answered in full.
One prompt is not
answered, or is not
answered in full.
Neither prompt is
answered.
3
1.5
0
Writing is clear and
logical.
Writing is somewhat
clear and logical.
Writing is not clear or
logical.
4
2
0
Both answers are
completely accurate.
One answer is
completely accurate.
Neither answer is
completely accurate.
Weekly Quizzes (This assessment meets the following Course Objectives: 2, 4, & 5.)
Activity: The weekly quizzes will present students will 10 multiple-choice questions related to
the chapter. Students can earn up to 10 points.
Mid-Term Exam (This assessment meets the following Course Objectives: 2, 4, 5, 6, & 7.)
Activity: Students will address one of three assigned short-answer essay prompts, and will
compose a two-page essay in response. The essay must be formatted according to MLA
standards, and include two academically appropriate online resources. The instructor will
provide show students how to use MLA, and will also supply a list of academically appropriate
online resources.
Assessment: The essay will award up to 40 points. The essay will be graded in accordance with
the following rubric.
Mid-Term Exam Rubric
Clarity and Format
10
Writing is clear,
logical, is free of
errors and meets
format requirements.
Use of Evidence
Reading Proficiency
Writing is somewhat
clear, logical, is
mostly free of errors
and meets format
requirements.
0
Lacks clarity and logic
in structure, has errors
and does not meet all
format requirements.
10
5
0
Uses adequate
information in
answering two
questions that are
raised by the artist's
work, and carefully
cites all quotations and
paraphrases.
Uses some
information in
answering two
questions raised by the
artist's work, and cites
some quotations and
paraphrases.
Inadequate use of
information about
questions raised by the
artist's work, and/or
fails to cite most
quotations and
paraphrases.
10
5
0
Demonstrates
thoughtful and careful
consideration of the
available information
on the artist's work.
3
5
Writing reflects
moderate
understanding of the
available information
on the artist's work.
Writing does not
reflect an
understanding of the
artist's work.
Depth of Analysis
10
5
Writing and thinking
go beyond restatement
of facts and
demonstrate depth
through formal and
conceptual analysis of
three works of art.
0
Writing and thinking
restate facts and
demonstrate some
depth through formal
and conceptual
analysis of three
works of art.
Writing and thinking
simply restate facts
and demonstrate no
depth through formal
and conceptual
analysis of three (or
less) works of art.
Article Summary (This activity meets the following Course Objectives: 3, 6, & 7.)
Activity: Students will write a 3-page article summary on Marcel Duchamp’s Art and the
Geography of Modern Paris by James Housefield (2002). Students must read the article and take
notes before engaging in a class discussion on the text. Summaries must be properly formatted
according to the MLA style of writing and include a Works Cited page. Here is an excellent
resource on how to properly use MLA: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/
Images may be included following the Works Cited page.
Assessment: The Article Summary will be graded in accordance with the following rubric, and
will award up to 40 points. (Note: rubric continued on page 6.)
Article Summary Rubric
Clarity
Identification of
Thesis and Evidence
Format
4
10
5
0
Writing is clear and
logical
Writing is somewhat
clear and/or logical
Lacks clarity and/or
logical structure
20
5
0
Uses adequate
information from
article in identifying
the thesis and
evidence used by the
author
Uses some
information from
article in identifying
the thesis and
evidence used by the
author
Inadequate use of
information from
article in identifying
thesis and evidence
10
5
0
Writing is free of
errors and meets all
Writing is mostly free
of errors and meets
Writing has errors
and does not meet all
format requirements
format requirements
format requirements
Final Essay
This activity meets the following Course Objectives: 3, 5, 6, and 7.
Activity: The final exam will assess will be composed of a reflective essays that students will
compose after viewing one of two documentaries about contemporary artists.
Students can choose to watch either a documentary on the contemporary Chinese artist Ai
Weiwei called Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry, or a documentary contemporary street art and is titled
Exit Through the Gift Shop .
Students can access Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry by clicking on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAADXK9MeOU. Students will compose a two-page
reflective essay in which they argue whether Ai Weiwei is more artist or activist, or if his
reputation rests on a careful balance of the two.
Students can access Exit Through the Gift Shop by clicking on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9rnyCyLFtE. (Please Note: this documentary contains
content that may not be deemed not suitable for young audience. Please use your discretion
before sharing with young family members.) If this film is chosen, students will compose a twopage reflective essay in class on the work of either the British artist Banksy, the French artist Mr.
Brainwash, or the American artist Shephard Fairey. Students will argue either for or against the
notion that the art is “good”, citing specific evidence from the movie, addressing two questions
raised in the artist’s work, demonstrates thoughtful and careful consideration of the available
information on the artist’s work, and writing and thinking in a way that goes beyond
restatement of facts and demonstrate depth through formal and conceptual analysis of three
works of art.
Assessment: The essays will be graded in accordance with the following rubric, and will award
up to 40 points each.
Final Exam Rubric
Clarity and Format
10
Writing is clear,
logical, is free of
errors and meets
format requirements.
Use of Evidence
10
Uses adequate
information in
answering two
questions that are
5
5
Writing is somewhat
clear, logical, is
mostly free of errors
and meets format
requirements.
0
Lacks clarity and logic
in structure, has errors
and does not meet all
format requirements.
5
0
Uses some
information in
answering two
questions raised by the
Inadequate use of
information about
questions raised by the
artist's work, and/or
raised by the artist's
artist's work, and cites
work, and carefully
some quotations and
cites all quotations and paraphrases.
paraphrases.
Reading Proficiency
10
Demonstrates
thoughtful and careful
consideration of the
available information
on the artist's work.
Depth of Analysis
10
Writing and thinking
go beyond restatement
of facts and
demonstrate depth
through formal and
conceptual analysis of
three works of art.
5
Writing reflects
moderate
understanding of the
available information
on the artist's work.
5
Writing and thinking
restate facts and
demonstrate some
depth through formal
and conceptual
analysis of three
works of art.
fails to cite most
quotations and
paraphrases.
0
Writing does not
reflect an
understanding of the
artist's work.
0
Writing and thinking
simply restate facts
and demonstrate no
depth through formal
and conceptual
analysis of three (or
less) works of art.
Plagiarism Policy
If any student writing contains data, quotations, or paraphrases from other sources without
adequate documentation in MLA, the assignment will be issued a grade of ‘zero’, with no further
opportunity for resubmission. In addition, the student’s name will be reported to the Dean.
Students who plagiarize may be failed from the course. Furthermore, if an assignment has been
graded by the instructor and is then discovered to contain plagiarized content, the grade will be
revoked and replaced with a zero, with no further opportunity for resubmission, and a report
will be issued to the Dean.
* The instructor is more than willing to help a student understand what constitutes plagiarism,
and also how to avoid it through the proper use of MLA citation. If feelings of uncertainty
regarding citation occur, students are encouraged to contact the instructor prior to beginning or
submitting any writing assignment.
Writing Skills
As stated in the JCC Catalog, “(c)ollege courses often demand strong writing skills. To ensure
your success you may receive assistance with your papers, essays, lab reports, documentation of
sources and other written assignments. Find help to get you started with your writing
assignments including brainstorming topics, organizing ideas, writing rough drafts, editing,
proofreading, citing sources and more. Reference materials, encouragement and computers are
available. Both faculty and peer tutors are available on a drop-in basis or by appointment” (22).
http://www.jccmi.edu/Success/
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Academic Help
The Center for Student Success is located in Burt Walker Hall Room 123. The Center’s phone
number is 517.796.8415, and offers free tutoring, a drop-in learning lab, the Writing Center,
assistance with study skills, time management, online class orientation, homework deciphering,
and academic advising.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact the Center for Student Success located in Burt Walker Room 123 or call
517.796.8415 as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a
timely fashion.
Tutoring
Free tutoring is available for this class as well as most courses at JCC. If you would like to work
with a tutor please contact visit the Center for Student Success located in Burt Walker Room 123
or call 517.796.8415. Faculty and student tutors are available to help you succeed in your
studies.
Late Work Policy
Late work is not accepted.
Final Grade Breakdown
4.0
100-93%
2.0
74-70
3.5
92-85%
1.5
69-65
3.0
84-80
1.0
64-59
2.5
79-75
0.0
58-0
Calendar
The JetNet course home page will function as our course calendar.
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