Instructions for Term Paper
Choose an object from the Museum of Fine Arts or the Menil Collection that fits
within the purview of this course. That would be a work of Western art from
anytime up to the present and no earlier than the 13th century. You will look at
your object, find comparative material and research the form, content and
context of the object.
Follow the template below, holding generally to the word counts for each section.
Cite your sources in an annotated bibliography using the MLA style. Do not
plagiarize.
You will be graded according to the criteria below.
Template for Term Paper, Survey of Art II,
Professor Steven Potter
Use this as a guide to organize your essay. Follow the approximate word counts
for each section below.
Title
Your name and ID
-------------------------------------------------------Subject
Introduce the object with a vivid description. Put the object in an object type
(portrait painting, monumental sculpture of the ruler, palace wall panel, etc.).
Include the basic subject matter. Also discuss the work in terms of form. This
includes color, dimensions, line, mass, medium, scale, shape, space, texture,
and value. How big is it? What’s it made of? What shape or shapes does it use?
Is it textured? Is the texture actual texture or visual texture? Is it a dark piece, or
light, or somewhere in between. Is there a value scheme like predominantly dark
with light accents or predominantly light with dark accents?
200-300 words
Critical Points
Write a concise statement on the most characteristic aspects of the piece. You
should try to discuss the work in terms of the principles of design such as:
balance, composition, contrast, dominance, harmony, movement, proportion,
proximity, rhythm, similarity, unity, and variety. These are the ways in which the
elements above interact...the “dynamics” of the piece.
60-100 words
-------------------------------------------------------Style
Write a formal analysis leading to the characterization of the work's style. You
may want to use other pieces in the collection for comparative purposes.
200-500 words
-------------------------------------------------------Historical, Cultural Context
Identify the people who made the piece - where they lived, in what type of
organization, etc, then focus on what this piece meant to the people who made it.
Use your research conducted in the MFAH and UH libraries. You may want to
use other pieces in the collection for comparative purposes. Context includes
answers to questions like:
Who made it? What biographical information is available on the artist? The
artist’s attitude, beliefs, interests, and values; education and training would be
possible areas to research and integrate into your discussion. In what historical /
cultural environment was the work of art created. What culture created it? In
what time period was it made?
This section should also include a discussion of content.
Simply stated, content includes both the obvious subject matter of the work as
well as the sometimes less obvious meaning or message of the work. You might
have to do a little digging here. The Internet is a valuable resource for some
preliminary research. You may want to follow that up with some actual library
research. Rice U., U of H, and the Museum of Fine Arts have the best Art
libraries in the city. Also use scholar.google.com’s library search tool.
Approximately 1000-1200 words
------------------------------------------------------Conclusion
Restate your main points. Synthesize your major points into a concise cohesive
statement.
40-60 words.
-------------------------------------------------------Works Cited
You must include a list of at least three sources you found helpful in
understanding this object. Each source does not have to treat the object directly
(it probably won't), but it must help you understand some aspect of the historical
context or style of the piece. Annotate each work with approximately 100 words
for each entry (300 words total). Use the MLA citation style.
Checklist for Term Paper
* Consult the template above for subject matter.
* Consult the Assessment Rubric below as you write.
* Upload your paper to turnitin.com.
* Turn in typed, stapled, double-spaced essay following the word
* Turn your essay in on time. No lates accepted.
Important: Review the grading rubric for the paper below to see how your grade
is calculated.
Term Paper Assessment Rubric
Superior
Grade: A
*
*
*
*
*
Provides a comprehensive and original description of the art object
Completes a succinct but insightful formal analysis of the object
Describes the iconography of the piece
Provides a thorough and insightful discussion of the historical context
Generates a thesis that joins the formal analysis and historical context in an
insightful and holistic manner
Satisfactory
Grade: B
* Provides a comprehensive and original description of the art object.
* Completes a succinct but insightful formal analysis of the objects
* Describes the iconography of the piece.
* Provides a thorough and insightful discussion of the historical context
* Generates a thesis that follows logically from the formal analysis or historical
context
Adequate
Grade: C
* Provides a logical description of the art object.
* Attempts a proper formal analysis of the object.
* Describes the iconography of the pieces
* Provides an adequate discussion of the historical context
Unsatisfactory
Grade: D/F
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Any two of the following four errors: Does not provide a logical description
of the objects or cannot formally analyze the objects. Does not handle
iconography or provide a discussion of the historical context.