Chabot College
Fall 2006
Course Outline for Humanities 50
THE ARTFUL LIFE
Catalog Description:
50 – The Artful Life
A broad range of the arts, from a variety of historical periods and cultures, will be examined
as expression and integration of self. Explore creativity as process, product, and attitude
toward life. Study the artist as seeker of authenticity and the relationship between art and
artist. Students will learn how to respond critically as well as to articulate their experience of
great works of the human imagination. Explore foundational principles and theories in the
various humanities disciplines. 3 hours.
[Typical contact hours: 52.5]
Prerequisite Skills: None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
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describe creativity and creative process;
interpret various artworks in the context of expressing major themes for the artist;
competently write and discuss their experience of and subjective response to an
artwork;
state the qualities of the artist as mystic and present specific examples;
explain the modern concept of self and art as self expression in contrast to the
traditional views of person and the purposes of art;
express self recognition of one’s own creative nature;
identify art across times, disciplines, genres and cultures;
analyze and appreciate of works of artistic, philosophical, historical and cultural
importance, across time periods;
explain foundational principles and theories in the various humanities disciplines.
Course Content:
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Creativity and creative process
Artworks in the context of expressing major themes for the artist
Experience of and subjective response to artwork
Qualities of the artist as mystic and illustrating examples
The modern concept of self and art as self expression in contrast to the traditional
views of person and the purposes of art
Our creative nature
Art across times, disciplines, genres and cultures
Works of artistic, philosophical, historical and cultural importance, across time periods
Foundational principles and theories in the various humanities disciplines
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture
Discussion
Audiovisual material
Creative experiences
3 units
Chabot College
Course Outline for Humanities 50, Page 2
Fall 2006
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1. Typical Assignments
a. In an essay, identify and differentiate creativity as process, product and attitude
toward Life
b. Using research, create a tape or give a speech in which you discuss the themes of
an artist’s work in relation to his/her life
c. In a researched speech or essay, show how the struggle for authenticity or
expression of self influenced an exemplar’s life and work
d. Create a song, poem or painting and accompany it with a short paper explaining the
creative process and how it expresses the student creator
e. Maintain a Journal of your experience of various arts
f. Create a presentation analyzing major works of artistic, philosophical, historical and
cultural importance and stating the relationship between them
2. Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a. Quizzes and Exams
b. Creative project
c. Papers
d. Researched paper or speech
e. Final exam
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Dewey, John. Art as Experience. New York: Perigee Books, The Berley Publishing Group,
1934.
Fox, Matthew. Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet. New York: Jeremy
P. Tarcher, 2002.
Loori, John Daido. The Zen of Creativity: Cultivating Your Artistic Life. New York:
Ballantine Books, 2004.
Tharp, Twyla. The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use for Life. New York: Simon &
Schuster, 2003.
Special Student Materials:
None
F:/Curriculum2006/Humanities 50
JP/PS 10/4/05; JP 10/09/06