Heartland Community College
Course Syllabus
Division: LASS
Course Prefix and Number: ART 150
Course Title: Understanding Art
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: 11:00 – 12:15 TR in ICB 1702
Description:
Art 150 is designed to provide an understanding of the role of art in our culture and
in contemporary life. This course utilizes art works from all cultures and periods to
establish the basic language of art and the principles of aesthetic organization.
Information regarding the artist’s tools, materials, exhibition spaces and the art
market will be studied to further illustrate the use of art in our world. Not intended
for art majors. No Prerequisites required.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Janet Connelly
e-mail address: janet.connelly@heartland.edu
Hours and days of instructor’s availability: To be arranged
Textbook:
Lewis, Richard & Susan, The Power of Art, 3rd ed., Boston, Wadsworth Cengage,
Learning, 2014.
ISBN: 978-1-133-58971-6
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
Art 150 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required
for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It satisfies the Fine Arts component of this requirement.
Art 150 should transfer to other Illinois colleges and universities participating in the
Illinois Articulation Initiative as the equivalent of the General Education Core
Curriculum course F2 900, described in the IAI. However, students should consult
an academic advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions.
Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at www.itransfer.org.
GENERAL COURSE OUTLINE
The Language of Art
The Primary Elements of Visual Art
The Principles of Design
The Artist’s Materials and Tools
The Art Historical Context
The Culture of the Art World
WEEKLY READING ASSIGNMENTS:
Week One: Ch. 1 – The Power of Art
Week Two: Ch. 2 – The Primary Elements
Week Three: Ch. 3 – The Principles of Design
*Vocabulary Quiz
Week Four: Ch. 5 – Painting
Week Five: Ch. 9 – Sculpture
Week Six: Ch. 10 – Architecture
*Vocabulary Quiz
Week Seven: Ch. 7 – Photography
Week Eight: Ch. 11 – Decorative Arts, Crafts, and Design
*Vocabulary Quiz
The remaining weeks will be theme based and selected pages from the text will be
assigned for reading. Some sample topics included: Nudity; Censorship; Public Art;
Presentation and exhibition of art; changing role of the viewer/consumer.
*Vocabulary Quiz
FINAL EXAM time slot is scheduled for 10:00-11:50, Thurs. Dec. 11th in our
classroom.
METHOD OF EVALUATION
Student assessment will be based on a compilation of scores from tests, writing
assignments, presentations, in-class or out of class activities.
Final course grade will be determined according to the following scale:
90 – 100% = A
89 – 80% = B
79 – 70% = C
69 – 60% = D
below 60%=F
Participation
Community Assignment
Paper/Presentation
Quizzes
10% - 15%
20% - 25%
20% - 25%
45% - 50%
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Student will engage in readings from both the text and any other additional
assignments. Students will be asked to write in response to various assignments in
and out of class.
LATE WORK/DEADLINE POLICY:
Work turned in late after the due date will be dropped one letter grade for each
subsequent class period.
MIDTERM WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students will be withdrawn at midterm if they meet ANY of the following
conditions:
. Has completed less than 60% of assignments/activities
. Has unexcused absences totaling more than 30% of course contact hrs.
. Has consecutive unexcused absences totaling more than the equivalent
of ¼ the number of weeks in the semester at midterm
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
After successfully completing this course, the student should be able to:
1. Identify the methods and materials of the visual arts.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of art terminology.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of major art historical movements.
4. Become aware of global themes in the visual arts and their relationship
to ourselves and the world.
5. Recognize significant historical and contemporary visual artists.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of current trends in the art world.
7. Demonstrate an awareness of the art market.
8. Identify and explore art galleries, museums, art spaces and other public arts
in our community.
9. Articulate both in speech and writing, knowledge about the local and global
art worlds.
10. Interact with other individuals and groups to critique, discuss and/or debate
visual art issues or artwork.