Art 182
Experiencing the Arts
Fall Semester 2004
“Art predates writing and provides a visual history that tells us how people dressed, what they ate, how they
celebrated life, who their enemies were, what kinds of governments they had, and how they buried their dead. Art
is the tangible, visible evidence of all peoples around the globe. In the long history of humankind, the art-making
process has been an integral part of all societies, not a stand-alone enterprise. Given its universality to all
learning, we may wonder how art came to be viewed as peripheral to education…. The answer lies in the all-toocommon view that art is nonfunctional, secular, and separate from society. Above all else, learning about art
from a global perspective will provide a basis for valuing difference. This is a critical issue for our times. Art
provides a basis for international understanding like no other subject. Art is the story of humankind, and we are
all participants in it.” -Juane Quick-to-See -Smith, Native American Artist
Course Description & Objectives:
Experiencing the Arts is designed to enhance your knowledge of and participation in the visual and performing
arts--encompassing architecture, interior design, art, music, theatre, and dance. By first exploring personal
aesthetic preferences, we will build upon each individual’s artistic experiences to broaden and integrate the arts
more deeply throughout our lives.
The emphasis will be on engaging with art through experience. In this course, we will attend events in several
artistic disciplines, and share and question our responses. Experiencing the arts requires a dialogue: works of art
express their creator’s intentions but they also evoke our individual perceptions and emotions. We must be active
participants to create a dialogue with the work of art. By exploring ways of seeing and ways of hearing, we can
learn how to observe, analyze, respond, and question, and reflect upon the diversity of human experience.
This course is a gateway to further coursework in the arts, to your participation in the arts throughout your Miami
career, and for your lifelong involvement. ENJOY!
Course Requirements:
IN SUMMARY: Attend all classes; attend 8 artistic events; write 8 responses; compose a final response
submission
Attendance is required at all class meetings.
Attendance at 8 artistic activities:
Five events are required and are designed to create shared experiences by all Collins Hall residents and to
provide a basis for common discussion and the building of community. You are required to attend
1. MU Art Museum exhibitions: Faces of Freedom Summer and So Many Why’s: Installation of Recent Works
by Ellen Price, photography
2. Global Rhythms or Citizens of the World Concert, music
3. Bourbon at the Border, theatre
4. Laurie Anderson, performance art and interactive media
5. Design studio, architecture and interior design
6. One event chosen by your instructor
7. One event collectively chosen by your Art 182 section
8. One event you choose individually (any non-MU event must be approved by your instructor)
8 written responses:
Using Blackboard you will respond twice to each event that you attend; once immediately following the event
(this is a gut level reaction to what you have experienced) and then again a few days later when you have had
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time to digest and then reflect upon your experience. In addition to class discussion, you will be provided
questions by your instructor that will help you shape your response. The first response - the gut level one - needs
only to be a brief paragraph unless, of course, you have more to say. It is due by midnight on the day of the event.
The second response, about a page in length, should be more reflective and either continues the thoughts from
your initial response or it could be in opposition to it. It is due by midnight on the Monday before class. Please
see syllabus for exact due dates.
The instructor will post these questions on Blackboard well in advance of the event.
Final response: 5 Questions:
You are to submit one final entry through Blackboard reflecting upon your arts experiences throughout the
semester. The response needs to be in the form of questions – a minimum of 5. What questions based on your
experiences in Art 182 will you continue to ask beyond this course? Please see syllabus for exact due date.
Class Participation:
Sharing your perceptions and experiences is the key to the success of Experiencing the Arts. We will strive to
create an open atmosphere of dialogue and free exchange respecting our diversity of experiences and opinions.
To encourage class conversation and exchange, the instructor will from time to time post student responses on
Blackboard.
Grading Guidelines:
A=Attendance at all class meetings, attendance at the 8 artistic events, completion of the 8 written responses and
the final reflection/response
B=Not completing any 2 of the above requirements.
C=Not completing any 4 the above requirements.
D=Not completing any 5 of the above requirements.
F=Not completing any 6 of the above requirements.
Required Materials:
Blackboard: This course will communicate through Blackboard (www.muohio.edu/blackboard), which is
extremely user friendly. The course syllabus, assignments, and announcements will be posted here. You will also
submit your responses using this technology. As an MU student you automatically have an account on the
blackboard server. It has an extensive on line tutorial if you should need it.
Ticket Purchases:
You will be required to purchase a ticket to Global Rhythms ($5) or Citizens of the World Concert (free, no
tickets required), Bourbon at the Border ($6) and Laurie Anderson ($8). Depending upon your other three event
options, you may be required to buy additional tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the MU Box Office, 2 nd floor
in Shriver Center, or by calling 529-3200, or online www.tickets.muohio.edu.
You are strongly urged to buy your tickets now to the events listed above. The venues are small and once the
tickets are gone, well, they are gone.
We also encourage you to buy an All Access Pass to the Arts at Miami. This is a flexible subscription package in
which you can choose the events you would like to see from a multiple number of options. The pass is good for
the entire 2004-05 academic year. It will contain tickets to some of the events that you may want to see for Art
182. Your instructor will make a brochure describing the program available to you.
Drop Policy:
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Art 182 is required for all first year residents of Collins Hall. If you wish to drop the class after three class
meetings, your instructor will assign the appropriate grade of withdraw/pass or withdraw/fail.
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