ART 160 Understanding the Visual Arts
A dual credit course with:
Morehead State University
Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
School of the Arts - Department of Art
Donna Schmidt
Bullitt Central High School
Donna.schmidt@bullitt.kyschools.us
BCHS office 502.869.6000
Planning time 8:25- 9:25
ART 160. Understanding the Visual Arts (Fall 2014)
TEXT: Prebles’ Artforms 11/e
An examination of visual art from various cultures. It includes a study of materials, techniques,
subjects, styles, issues, functions, and meanings related to visual art. This course satisfies the
area studies - humanities for general education.
(You may obtain the text online new, used, or rented.)
Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Methods for This Course:
This course is designed to strengthen several of the competencies required of students in the
general education program.
Students will be able to:



Write effectively for a variety of target audiences using conventions
associated with standard English
Investigate the worldview and/or history of cultures outside the United States
Analyze the significance of diverse creative productions and explain how
ideas are communicated effectively through the expressive arts (literature,
theater, dance, music, and visual arts)

Describe and analyze the aesthetic value of creative productions in cultural
and historical context
These competencies will be assessed by participation in discussions followed by short in-class
essay assignments (including web-based assignments) and a midterm and final exam with shortanswer and essay questions. Non-scheduled assignments and/or pop-quizzes may also be given,
at the discretion of the instructor.
These objectives will be measured in the following performance assessments.
Quizzes and Tests
Each week there will be either a test or a quiz on the previous reading assignment. Questions
will consist of true/false and multiple choice.
Discussion Postings/Essays
There will be open discussion forums with a wide range of topics. This is an opportunity to gain
participation points by giving your own personal opinion about a particular topic and the
exposure to the thoughts and opinions of your fellow classmates.
Extra Credit
The opportunity to do written reports for Extra Credit will be available to students all semester.
Grading Policy
Your grade will be averaged based on your percentage of points earned in this course.
There will be 7 Exams worth 100 points each.
There will be 4 quizzes worth 100 points each.
There will be various writing daily assignments and activities.
Attendance (# of days required divided by # of days attended)
70%
10%
12%
8%
*Dates and assignments will be announced later.
The scale below shows the relationship between your semester percent average and the letter
grade you will receive. Slight deviations from this scale are possible if they seem advisable.
A = 90
B = 80
C = 70
D = 60
E = 59
- 100
- 89
- 79
- 69
and below
Attendance Policy
Attendance is taken daily. Absences and tardies will result in the loss of that day’s point. If you
do not complete the test, quiz or assignment for the week you will receive a zero.
If you miss a quiz or test you will have the opportunity to take it as soon as you return (or at a
date arranged with your instructor but within one week of the test) if you have an excused
absence. Late assignments will not be graded. All chapter assignments should be read before
coming to class.
Month/
Week
Core
Content #s
Topic(s)
Tests, Quizzes, Assignments,
Due Dates
August
Week 1
11-15
Ch 1. The Nature of Art and
Creativity
Week 2
18-22
Ch 2 The Purposes and Functions
of Art
Ch 3 Visual Elements
Ch 4 Principles of Design
Ch 5 Evaluating Art
Ch 6 Drawing
Ch 7 Painting
Week 3
25-29
various small activities and
writings
(Ch. 1)
Quiz 1 (Ch. 2-5)
various small activities and
writings
various small activities and
writings
September
Week 4*
2-5
Week 5
8-12
Ch 8 Printmaking
Test 1 (Ch. 6-8)
Ch 9 Photography
Ch 10 Moving Images/ film &
digital images
Week 6
15-19
Ch 11 Design Disciplines
Ch 12 Sculpture
Ch 13 Craft Media
Week 7
22-26
Week 8
29- oct 3
Ch 14 Architecture
Quiz 2
(Ch 9, 10)
various small activities and
writings
Test 2
(Ch 11-13)
various small activities and
writings
Quiz 3 (Ch 14)
Ch 15 Earliest Art to Bronze Age
Test 3 (Ch 15)
various small activities and
writings
Week 9
13-17
Ch 16 The Classical and Medieval
West
Week 10
20-24
Ch 17 Renaissance and Baroque
Europe
Ch 18Traditional Arts of Asia
Ch 19 The Islamic World
Test 4 (Ch 16)
various small activities and
writings
Test 5 (Ch 17 -19)
various small activities and
writings
Week 11
27-31
Ch 20 Africa, Oceania, and the
Americas
October
various small activities and
writings
Ch 21 Late 18th and 19th Centuries
Test 6 (Ch 20 & 21)
various small activities and
writings
Week 13
10-14
Ch 22 Early 20th Century
various small activities and
writings
*Week 14
17-25
Ch 23 Between World Wars
Quiz 4 (Ch 22 & 23)
Week 15
1-5
Ch 24 Postwar Modern
Movements
various small activities and
writings
Week 16
8-12
Week 17
15-19
*indicates a short week
Ch 25 Postmodernity and Global
Art
Finals
Week 12
3-7
November
(combining 2
days before break
with the week
before)
December
Test 7(Ch 24 & 25)
Final exam
CONCERNING ACADEMIC HONESTY: All students at Morehead State University are required to abide by
accepted standards of academic honesty. Academic honesty includes doing one’s own work, giving credit for the
work of others, and using resources appropriately. Violation of accepted standards can result in a sanction that may
include failure of a particular assignment or exam, failure of a particular class, or other appropriate disciplinary
action. The policy is located at http://www.moreheadst.edu./units/studentlife/handbook/academicdishonesty.html.
For example: Copying information from the Internet is plagiarism if appropriate credit is not given.
STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY: Respect for the diversity of peoples, cultures, world views and thought are
essential to the pursuit of healthy intellectual inquiry and creative exploration, and will be expected from both
faculty and students.
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY: In-class lectures by the instructor, supported by slide presentations of visual
material. This is also a BlackBoard-assisted course. Study materials and announcements for this class will be
posted online on BlackBoard, and students are required to enroll themselves in the BlackBoard for this course by the
end of the first week of class. Students encountering problems with BlackBoard should consult the BlackBoard
website or the university helpline at 783-5000.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA): In compliance with the ADA, all students with a documented
disability are entitled to reasonable accommodations and services to support their academic success and safety.
Though a request for services may be made at any time, services are best applied when they are requested at or
before the start of the semester. To receive accommodations and services the student should immediately contact the
Disability Services Coordinator in the Office of Academic and Career Services, 223 Allie Young Hall, 606-7835188, www.moreheadstate.edu/acs/
I reserve the right to make changes to the dates above that may result from any
missed school or interruptions in the instructional classroom time.