Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
ARTS 209 Course Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
ARTS 209
ART AS COMMUNICATION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course serves to cultivate an understanding of the language, aesthetics and cultural impacts
of visual communication. The focus is on discourse that fosters the development of ideational,
analytical and rhetorical writing skills necessary for demonstrating critical thinking in the
analysis and critique process concerning visual images. Two analytical papers—based upon
studies of the visual images focusing on the agency of the image, the social practices and effects
of its viewing and the specificity of views taken by various audiences—and a literary research
paper, sequentially developed, are required.
RATIONALE
Visual art, in both traditional and digital form, has long been a means of human communication
and expression. Individuals and groups use it to investigate, express, and communicate ideas,
feelings, and experiences. Visual art is a language in its own right, being a major way of
symbolically communicating. Research, analysis, and critique of contemporary and historical
aspects of these visual communications will benefit the student by enabling accurate
interpretations of visual art. Since this course is taught from a Christian perspective, the student
additionally benefits from analyzing visual art as a means of communicating the full range of
human experience.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
IV.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
C.
Microsoft Office
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
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ARTS 209 Course Syllabus
V.
A.
Examine the importance of art, in its various forms, as a communication medium
in the human experience.
B.
Examine selected communication theories as related to works of art.
C.
Analyze the subject matter of a work of art.
D.
Describe the forms of art using appropriate terms and vocabulary through formal
analysis.
E.
Interpret the possible meaning of a work of art within an appropriate context (e.g.
historical, religious, political, economic, social, etc.).
F.
Further develop research skills related to using library resources and/or scholarly
Internet sites.
G.
Apply critical and analytical skills to reading and writing assignments.
H.
Demonstrate an appreciation for the range of new media used by Western artists
over the course of the twentieth century up to the present for communication.
I.
Develop a Christian perspective related to visual communications.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will
complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (3)
Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is
required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each forum.
Each thread must be at least 200 words and demonstrate course-related
knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 1 other
classmate’s threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words.
D.
Cognitive Theory Project – Part 1 and Part 2
This project will be completed in 2 parts—planning and execution. After selecting
a target audience and message, the student will create a work of art meant to
persuade the viewer about a particular idea. The final product (determined by the
student’s chosen medium) will be accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation
demonstrating the student’s creative process.
E.
Semiotics Project
The student will choose a medium to create a piece that has semiotic significance.
The final product (determined by the student’s chosen medium) will be
accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating the student’s creative
process.
F.
Gestalt Project
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ARTS 209 Course Syllabus
The student will choose a medium to create a piece that uses the Gestalt Laws of
Perception as tools for creating emphasis, a focal point, unity, and significance.
The final product (determined by the student’s chosen medium) will be
accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation demonstrating the student’s creative
process.
G.
Critical Analysis Paper
The student will write a 2–3-page research-based paper that presents a critical
analysis of a work of art. The paper must be in current MLA format and must
include at least 3 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.
H.
Reading Quizzes (4)
Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the modules/weeks in
which it is assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain multiplechoice, true/false, and matching questions, and have a 30-minute time limit.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (3 at 50 pts ea)
Cognitive Theory Project – Part 1
Cognitive Theory Project – Part 2
Semiotics Project
Gestalt Project
Critical Analysis Paper
Reading Quiz 1
(Modules 1–2)
Reading Quiz 2
(Modules 3–4)
Reading Quiz 3
(Modules 5–6)
Reading Quiz 4
(Modules 7–8)
Total
B.
10
150
90
150
150
150
150
40
40
40
40
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
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ARTS 209 Course Syllabus
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
course will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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COUR ### Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
ARTS 209
Textbook:
Lester, Visual Communication: Images with Messages (2013).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
1
Lester: chs. 1–2
1 presentation
2
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
DB Forum 1
10
0
50
Lester: ch. 3
1 presentation
DB Forum 2
50
3
Lester: ch. 4
1 presentation
Cognitive Theory Project – Part 1
Reading Quiz 1
90
40
4
Lester: ch. 6
1 presentation
Cognitive Theory Project – Part 2
150
5
Lester: ch. 6
1 presentation
DB Forum 3
Reading Quiz 2
50
40
6
Lester: chs. 7–8
1 presentation
Semiotics Project
150
7
Lester: chs. 12–13
1 presentation
Gestalt Project
Reading Quiz 3
150
40
8
Lester: chs. 11, 15
1 presentation
Critical Analysis Paper
Reading Quiz 4
150
40
TOTAL
1010
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course module/week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at
12:00 a.m. (ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final module/week
ends at 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday.