Session 2014-1 Summer
Instructor: Michael Houser
Monday- 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Instructor’s Phone Number - 217-523-6516
Room D221
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PRE-ASSIGNMENT - Read chapters 1 & 2
FNAR 100-70 – ART APPRECIATION
I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Introduction to the visual arts through lectures, discussions and field trips each semester. 3 Credit hours
(IAI F2 900)
II.
TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS
Text (required) Gilbert’s Living with Art, Mark Getlein, Tenth Edition, 2012 Copyright
ISBN 978-0-07-337925-8 ISBN 0-07-337925-5
Supplemental Statement:
Pencils, eraser, scissors, glue stick, ruler, water-based markers (these will be provided but you can bring
your own)
III.
MISSION STATEMENT
Benedictine University is dedicated to the education of undergraduate and graduate students from
diverse ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds. As an academic community committed to liberal arts
and professional education distinguished and guided by our Roman Catholic tradition and Benedictine
heritage, we prepare our students for a lifetime as active, informed and responsible citizens and leaders
in the world community.
IV. GOALS and STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES for FNAR 100:
A. Benedictine Core Goals
Benedictine University's core mission is to prepare students for active participation in an increasingly
interconnected world. Its Core Curriculum advances this mission by enabling students to attain a broad range of
learning goals, listed below:
1. Demonstrate an effective level of cognitive, communicative, and research skills;
2. Achieve a college level of computational skills and an ability to understand and interpret numerical data;
3. Acquire a knowledge of the history and heritage of western civilization, to include
 the contributions of religious faith and philosophical thought to understanding the person in
community,
 the relationship of the individual to society: membership and participation in groups and institutions,

scientific literacy through a knowledge of the history, the methods, and the impact of science on the
individual, society, and the environment,
 artistic and literary heritage;
4. Develop an understanding of global society: cultural diversity, mutual relationships, interdependence of
peoples and nations;
5. Apply liberal learning in problem-solving contexts as preparation for active participation in society;
6. Make informed ethical decisions that promote personal integrity, the legitimate rights and aspirations of
individuals and groups, and the common good.
Course Goals:
1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of theories and techniques in Western Art
2. Understand the basic historical premise that influenced significant art movements
3. Gain an understanding of the methodology used in the critical analysis of art
4. Understand the basic technical and formal principles used in creating a variety of art work
B. Course Objectives/Outcomes
As a distribution course within the Core Electives, FNAR 100 was designed with the above Core goals
and course goals in mind. Thus, upon successful completion of FNAR 100, the student will be able to
demonstrate their mastery of the following objectives and student learning outcomes:
1. Participate in discussion of various art works verbally and through written essays
2. Complete various studio projects related to traditional media and methods
3. Use inquiry and collaboration to solve problems through discussion, research and written assignments
4. Communicate effectively in oral, written, and visual forms
5. Develop a sense of intellectual curiosity for Western Art
V.
TEACHING METHODS/DELIVERY SYSTEM
This course is designed to offer students a comprehensive understanding and appreciation for Western
Art both conceptually and technically. This will be accomplished through lectures, slide presentations,
videos, and group discussions. Students must read the chapters assigned prior to class.
The classroom is a discourse community. This course is a combination of lecture, in-class discussion,
and in-class writing. Regular, brief quizzes will be administered to ensure that readings have been
completed; on paper. This class is very interactive. In order to complete the course successfully,
students must come to class and must be prepared to discuss the reading assignments and to do the inclass work.
VI.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance policy:
This course is highly accelerated, and students will need to take a great deal of responsibility for their
own learning outcomes. Attendance is required in each class meeting for the full period of time. Any
absence must be due to extraordinary circumstances and will require documentation for it to be
considered excused. Documentation must be provided immediately in order to determine what, if any,
accommodations are reasonable or possible. Class attendance will directly impact your final grade, and
each undocumented absence will be considered unexcused and will result in a 20% reduction in the final
grade for the course.
Due to the accelerated nature of the course, should you experience a medical condition which prevents
you from attending any class(es), appropriate medical documentation must be provided immediately in
order to determine what, if any, accommodations are reasonable or possible.
Reading Assignments: Reading in the text are specifically outlined in the Course Outline.
Written / Project Assignments:
* Two written essays will be assigned (MLA format, double-spaced, Arial 12 font).
One essay (3 pages) will be a critique and discussion of a museum or gallery visit (with evidence of
attendance). The second essay (3 pages) will be about a specific artist and his/her art production and
influence.
* A minimum of 2 studio projects must be completed.
* Additional short written assignments (critiques, group assessments, short evaluations) will be expected
following lectures.
* Students will also be expected to participate in groups discussions about various artists, works of art,
methods and media, and art movements.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as follows: “The deliberate and knowing presentation of another
person’s original ideas or creative expressions as one’s own. Generally, plagiarism is immoral but not
illegal. If the expression‘s creator gives unrestricted permission for its use and the user claims the
expression as original, the user commits plagiarism but does not violate copyright laws. If the original
expression is copied without permission, the plagiarist may violate copyright laws, even if credit goes to
the creator. And if the plagiarism results in material gain, it may be deemed a passing-off activity that
violates the Lanham Act.” Black’s Law Dictionary, 8th ed. (2004), p. 1187. Also useful to establish
guidelines for delineating plagiarism is Diana Hacker’s definition: “Three different acts are considered
plagiarism: (1) failing to cite quotations and borrowed ideas, (2) failing to enclose borrowed language in
quotation marks, and (3) failing to put summaries and paraphrases in your own words.” (A Writer’s
Reference by Diana Hacker, Bedford St. Martin’s Press, 2003, page 331.)
PLAGIARISM IS LITERALLY DISHONEST AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. A MINOR
OFFENSE WILL RESULT IN A ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT. A MAJOR OFFENSE WILL
RESULT IN DISMISSAL FROM OR FAILURE IN THE COURSE.
Benedictine University at Springfield Student Academic Honesty Policy
The search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge are the central missions of a university.
Benedictine University at Springfield pursues these missions in an environment guided by our Roman
Catholic tradition and our Benedictine heritage. Integrity and honesty are therefore expected of all
University students. Actions such as cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication, forgery, falsification,
destruction, multiple submission, solicitation, and misrepresentation are violations of these expectations
and constitute unacceptable behavior in the University community.
Student’s Responsibility
Though there is no formal honor code at Benedictine University at Springfield, students are expected to
exhibit academic honesty at all times. Violations against academic honesty are always serious and may
result in sanctions that could have profound long-term effects. The final responsibility for
understanding the Academic Honesty Policy of the institution, as well as the specific policies for
individual courses normally found in syllabi, rests with students. If any doubt exists about what
constitutes academic dishonesty, students have the responsibility to talk to the faculty member. Students
should expect the members of their class to be academically honest. If students believe one or more
members of the class have been deceitful to gain academic advantage in the class, students should feel
comfortable to approach the faculty member of the course without prejudice.
Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy will be reported to the Office of the Dean of
Academic Affairs. Along with a verbal warning, the following are consequences a student may
face for academic dishonesty:

a failing grade or “zero” for the assignment;

dismissal from and a failing grade for the course; or

dismissal from the Institution
VII.
MEANS OF EVALUATION
20% Two Essays - 3 pages (10% each)
20% Four Studio Projects (5% each)
20% Five “Shorts” - short written opinions/assignments (4% each)
35% Seven Quizzes (5% each)
5% Attendance/Weekly Observation
Extra Credit is possible through additional projects/”shorts”
Evaluation will be based on completion according to the criteria presented for the assignment or
test. Letter/percentage grades are given for each assignment and/or test. Grades are:

A (100 - 90) - Strong scholarship and initiative, completion of and creative
solutions for all projects, essays and written assignments, strong participation in
group discussion. Significant accomplishments in personal growth, skill, and
understanding. Completion of workbook assignments. Correct answers to more
than 90% of the questions on a test. Excellent attendance, projects returned by
due date, and contributions to class as a whole.

B (89 - 80) - Accurate and complete grasp of assignments, essays, written
assignments, participation in group critiques, and discussions. Some
accomplishments in personal growth, skill and understanding. Completion of
majority of workbook assignments. Correct answers to 80% - 89% of questions
on a test. Good attendance, projects returned close to due date, and contributions
to class as a whole.

C (79 - 72) - Minimal grasp of assignments, some completion with minimal
solutions for projects, essays, and written assignments. Some participation in
group critiques and discussions. A portion of workbook assignments completed.
Minimal accomplishments in personal growth, skill and understanding. Correct
answers to 72% - 79% of questions on a test. Lax attendance, projects seldom on
time, and few contributions to class as a whole.

D (71- 67) - Missing work and assignments, ignoring assignment goals and
parameters, ignoring due dates. No investment in class discussions; cooperates
and works only to avoid failure. Workbook assignments are in complete. Correct
answers to 67% - 71% answers on a test. No improvement, no accomplishment,
minimal concern for class, attendance problems.

F (66 and below) - Insufficient work or contact to evaluate. Answering less than
66% of test questions correctly. Serious attendance problems.
If a student believes that an error has been made in reporting a grade, an appeal must be made in writing to the
instructor and must be initiated within 60 calendar days after the end of the term for which the grade in question
was reported. The appeal should contain specific information about why it is believed the grade reported is
inaccurate. See the Student Handbook for additional details.
Add/Drop Dates
Please refer to the current Academic Calendar for add/drop dates.
Incomplete Request
To qualify for an “I” grade, a minimum of 75% of the course work must be completed with a “C” or better, and
a student must submit a completed “Request for an Incomplete” form to the Registrar’s Office. The form must
be completed by both student and instructor, but it is the student’s responsibility (not the instructor’s) to initiate
this process and obtain the necessary signatures.
Student Withdrawal Procedure
It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course by completing the appropriate form, with
appropriate signatures, and returning the completed form to the Advising Office. Please refer to the Student
Handbook for important financial information related to withdrawals.
VIII. TOPICAL COURSE OUTLINE
Each class will have various components. Included during the four hour sessions will be: lecture and slide
presentations, group discussion, occasional videos, occasional group writing evaluations (“shorts”), quizzes,
occasional critiques, and studio projects. Refer to attached calendar for specific dates and assignments.
IX.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)
Benedictine University at Springfield provides individuals with disabilities reasonable accommodations to
participate in educational programs, activities, and services. Students with disabilities requiring
accommodations to participate in campus-sponsored programs, activities, and services, or to meet course
requirements, should contact the Resource Center as early as possible: springaccess@ben.edu or (217) 5251420, ext. 3306.
X.
ASSESSMENT
Goals, objectives, and learning outcomes that will be assessed in the class are stated in this syllabus in Sections
IV and VI. Instructor will use background knowledge probes, one-minute papers, reflective essays and/or other
Classroom Assessment Techniques as deemed necessary in order to provide continuous improvement of
instruction.
ART APPRECIATION
Summer 2014 Session I
CALENDAR
Instructor : Michael Houser
Instructor’s Phone number : 217-523-6516
PRE-ASSIGNMENT - Read chapters 1 & 2
Class 1
Requirements:
2 papers 3 to 5 pages
2 projects
Photo paper 1 page
Who collects art?
Talk about Gertrude Stein
Music - Virgil Thomson
Writing - Gertrude Stein
Read Chapters 1 & 2
Studio Projects (group)
What is Art?
Video - Robert Rauschenberg also discuss
Music - John Cage
Writing - John Cage
Quiz 1
Read Chapter 3
Class 2
Theme of Art
Video Art 21
Discuss Joseph Beuys Fluxus
Music - Du Champ
Writing - Du Champ
Read Chapter 4
Theme of Art - talk collection of artists
video - Judy Pfaff
video - Colette
video - Ida Applebroog & Kiki Smith
Music - Philip Glass
Writing - Edith Sitwell
Read Chapter 5
Class 3
Read Chapter 9
Photography
Each student will present a paper on a photographer
Movie - documentary - surreal short and another full length
Class 4
Read chapter 11
Sculpture Discuss - Louise Bourgeois
Video - Richard Serra
video Martin Puryear
Music Cash - Hurt video Christo
Writing - from Wireless Imagination
Quiz 2
Class 5
Read chapter 13
Discuss assorted architects
with video on Philip Johnson le corbusia
Music - Starckhausen - Xenkis
Writing James Merrill
Class 6
Read Chapters 14 & 15 & 16
Class Discussion Moderns
Quiz 3
Impressionism - Post Impressionism 509
Discussion Matisse Picasso 514
Cubism video
Music - Electronic Music
Writing Tender Buttons
Surrealism & DADA
Read Chapter 22
Surrealist Play by Picasso
Music Anthiel
Reading DADA poem
Abstract Expressionism
de Kooning
Pollack
Rothko
Gorky
Writing - O’Hara - 2 Women
Music - Thomson
Class 7
Pop
Video Jasper Johns
Video - Cool School
and as far as we can go
Music - Yoko Ono
Writing - Yoko Ono - Grapefruit
Twombly - Hessa - Yoko Ono
Project Due
Papers Due
Quiz 4
Review
Pot Luck
Class 8
Exam