Advanced Placement Art History
Class Information
Mrs. Stesch D115
Overview
AP Art History is an elective course which is open to students in grades
11 and 12. This is a year-long rigorous course in which the student will
receive a credit in history. The art history course offers a chronological
survey of Western art from the dawn of civilization to the present time. NonWestern art will be briefly touched on, but due to the scope and focus of the course,
will not be a major component to the course.
The course combines the study of visual art throughout history along with an
emphasis on the unique position and role played by the artist and the work of art, its
context, and the critic. Special attention is given to our interpretation of a work of art
based upon its intended use, audience, and role in a particular society. As a survey
course, the material is approached as an introduction to the discipline. Two goals of the
course are to encourage the student to pursue further study in college as well as become
versed in the visual language of art.
What you can expect during a typical week
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Make image flashcards before the unit begins using teacher website/image
PowerPoints
Flashcard checks
Reading from text independently, sometimes having a quiz on
Teacher lecture on basic information of up to 50 pieces of art/architecture in a unit
Interactive study activities
Hands on activities meant to bring art to life using acting, music, and student
planned activities
Comparative Analysis between artwork and/or cultures
Quiz or Test with a written component (short or long essay), slide ID from
memory, short answer, fill in the blank, multiple choice
o Important Note: essay writing in this class needs to be factual and
succinct, not full of flowery language and personal interpretation
What is the AP exam format?
General Information: 3 hours long, May of 2014
Format:
I. Multiple Choice-115 total questions, 4 answer choices (1 hour)
a. Part A- 4 sets of slide based questions (5-8 questions per slide)
b. Part B-basic recall questions
II. 1st of two long essays (30 minutes)
a. Recall based.
b. You must be able to cite two examples from memory that exemplify
certain themes in art history.
c. For one of the two essays you must recall work from “beyond the
European tradition”-which refers to Non-Western art.
III. 7 short essays (5-10 minutes each/totals 1 hour)
a. Slide based and/or quotation based
b. Need to know the key characteristics of works of different periods/cultures
IV. 2nd long essay (30 minutes)
Scoring:
Multiple Choice section counts 40% of total score
Free Response counts 60%
 Short Answer 35%
 Essay 25%
Recommended Supplemental Texts (look in used bookstore or online):
 Strickland, Carol, The Annotated Mona Lisa and The Annotated Arch
 Barron’s AP Art History
General Skills and Concepts
to be fostered throughout the course:
1.
Analyzing the aesthetic qualities of artwork.
2.
Learning and using the vocabulary of art.
3.
Becoming knowledgeable in the different media and techniques of art
production, and their impact on the content of art.
4.
Recognizing and identifying period styles and their iconography.
5.
Developing a visual memory of a body of art works.
6.
Writing analytical and comparative essays about art.
7.
Analyzing the work of art in its historical and cultural context, and
understanding its function within that context.
8.
9.
Exploring the relationship between both artists and patrons.
Gaining an understanding and recognition of the aesthetics of
different cultures, including both the European tradition and those
beyond it, and how the aesthetics of these cultures impacted their art.
10.
Art’s role in conveying power and authority
11.
Use of human body as means of conveying ideas
Recommended Supplemental Texts (check used bookstores or online sites):
 Strickland, Carol, The Annotated Mona Lisa and The Annotated Arch
 Barron’s AP Art History
Additional questions?
 apcentral.collegeboard.com-look for the AP Art History home page
 Email me at erin_stesch@dpsnc.net