ARTH 308: Renaissance Tradition in Art
TTH 4:00-5:15
Room A20
Instructor: Dr. Valerie A. Kidrick
Office & Phone #: FA7; 916-650-2942
Office Hours: MW 1-2; TTH 1:00-3:30
email: kidricv@scc.losrios.edu
TURNITIN Class number: 1544924
TURNITIN Password: Donatello
Course Description:
The course is intended to provide the student with an introduction to and an
historical/cultural overview of the impact of the Renaissance in the visual arts.
Essentially, it is the history of a specific tradition and a particular way of looking at art.
For all practical purposes, this class will cover the history of Western art from slightly
before 1400 to the beginning of the 19th century.
Objectives:
Students in this course will be expected to demonstrate: 1) a cognizance of major
artistic monuments of various cultures under consideration, 2) an understanding of the
relationship of these monuments to their cultural and historical context, and 3) an
awareness of the artistic styles associated with the cultures and historical periods within
the cultures.
Texts: Required: Janson’s History of Art (Seventh Edition)
Recommended: Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing About Art.
Other reading to be handed out in class
Instructional Methods
This class is taught in a slide lecture format. There is no formalized discussion
built into the schedule, although there will always be time for student initiated
conversation concerning the matters at hand.
Grading
Final course grades will be assigned according to the following percentages; this
course is not graded on a “curve.”
500-450
449-400
399-350
349-300
299 and below
A
B
C
D
F
Exams
Three exams will be given throughout the semester. They will cover materials
presented in class and material from your textbook. Do not rely on only the textual
information as you are studying. I will provide materials NOT in your texts, and,
conversely, will not cover everything that is in the text in class lectures. The exams can be
a combination of slide identification, essay, compare and contrast, or short answer. No
make up exams are given. The lowest exam grade is automatically dropped.
Research/Writing assignments
Four small (two page) assignments will be required throughout the semester.
More information about these assignments will be given throughout the semester. All
assignments will be turned in through TURNITIN.com. I will not accept any paper
handed to me in paper format. More information on the assignments and the
requirements for turning them will be given out during the semester.
PROFESSIONIALISM IN THE CLASSROOM
I expect everyone to behave in a manner that encourages education. I believe that there
are a number of components to that. They include:
COME TO CLASS
This class is about visual culture; therefore much of what you will need to know to pass
the class is available primarily in class and through the lectures. Therefore, attendance is
required. Students who accumulate more than four (4) unexcused absences may find their
grade adversely affected
DO NOT BE LATE
What would happen to you if you regularly showed up late to your job? You’d be fired.
So don’t be surprised when you get a bad grade because you can’t make it to class on
time.
TURN THINGS IN ON TIME
It is YOUR responsibility to make it here when you are supposed to be here, with the
items you are supposed to have with you. I DO NOT ACCEPT LATE
ASSIGNMENTS. I DO NOT GIVE LATE EXAMS. I WILL NOT GO BACK
OVER SLIDES YOU HAVE MISSED. You may turn written work in early through
TURNITIN. If it is date and time stamped after the time class begins on the day the
work is due, you WILL NOT receive credit for the work. Do not ask me to make an
exception for you, because I will not.
DO NOT PLAGIARIZE
A pet peeve of mine. Plagiarism occurs whenever you use someone else’s ideas or words
as your own, whether in writing or speaking. IT IS NOT JUST “COPYING” WORD
FOR WORD!!!!. Let me elaborate: If you copy materials from any source, published or
unpublished, and do not properly cite your source, that is plagiarism. If you use ideas
from a source or paraphrase it closely without acknowledgement, that is plagiarism. If
you present another student’s paper or other work as your own, that is plagiarism. If you
get so much help that the result is quite different from your own work, that is plagiarism.
As you can see, the term covers much more than simple copying of someone else’s
written material. Suffice it to say, not only do I know it's the worst thing a student can do,
so does the College. Anyone who is caught cheating or plagiarizing on a test or a paper
will not be allowed to do the assignment over, will be given an “F” on that assignment,
and will be referred to the appropriate college official. DON’T RUN THE RISK.
CHALLENGE ASSUMPTIONS
This course is about art, and art is usually a subjective thing. I happen to believe that it is
exceedingly rare to find only one “right” answer to the questions that get posed by
humans; most of the time there are multiple “right” answers--generally as many right
answers as there are opinions. Therefore, I expect that not everyone will agree with me all
the time. Actually, I’d prefer it if we all didn’t agree all the time--this lets me know you
are critically thinking about what I’m saying. Please feel free to question and pose
queries (in a nice manner, please) at anytime. Of course, this shouldn’t be taken to mean
that ANY answer you give on a test will be marked as correct (alas, such is the way of
College)--more that I expect you to gather all the pertinent information, assess the facts
critically, and make a case for your conclusions.
SHOW RESPECT TO YOURSELF, YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND ME
Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated in this classroom. If you feel you are being
harassed in any way, please inform me. I expect everyone in my classes to be respectful
of each other, while encouraging diversity in beliefs and opinions.
OPTIMIZE YOUR EDUCATION
I am always willing to talk to you about your performance in this class, and help you
in any way that I am able. Take advantage of the help I might be able to give you, both
in this class and perhaps in others. This does not mean I will write your papers, tell you
what the answers are, or do anything else that could be misconstrued as “cheating”. It
does mean, however, that your tuition also pays for some of my time outside of class, and
if you have questions or concerns, I’d like to hear them.
Additionally, students with documented disabilities needing accommodations such as
testing, interpreting, note taking, taped textbooks, assistive technology, equipment,
accessibility arrangements, etc., must contact me as soon as possible after the beginning
of the semester. Please let me know of any difficulties you may have, so that we can
make arrangements for you.
If you have ANY QUESTIONS, PROBLEMS ,OR CONCERNS about the class:
Please see me soon after the semester(or the problem) begins. I can’t help if I don’t know
what the problem is.
Dr. Kidrick
ARTH 308: The Renaissance Tradition in Art
Fall 2006 Course Schedule
Week 1
Discussion of course requirements, goals, etc.
13th/14th Century Italy
Janson: Chapter 13, p. 437-467
Weeks 2-3
15th Century Northern European Art
Janson: 469-501
Weeks 4-5
Early Renaissance in 15th Century Italy
Janson: 503-553
EXAM # 1: September 26th (pp. 437-553 plus any handouts)
Weeks 6-7
The High Renaissance in Italy, 1495-1520
Janson: 555-585; Harbison Handout
Week 8
The Late Renaissance and Mannerism in 16th century Italy
Janson: 587-619
Week 9-10
Renaissance and Reformation in 16th century Northern Europe
Janson: 621-657
EXAM # 2 October 31st (pp. 555-657 plus any handouts)
Week 11-12
The Baroque in Italy and Spain
Janson: 659-695
Week 13
The Baroque in the Netherlands
Janson: 697-731
Week 14-15
The Baroque in France and England
Janson: 733-755
Week 16-17
The Rococo
Janson: 757-787
Final Exam: December 21st, 3:10-5:10 (pp. 648-77 plus any handouts)