Art History
Paradigms in Practice: A Survey of Western Art
Second Semester 2010/2011
Block A4 1:50- 3:15
Instructor: Kurt Maier
kurt@trilliumcharterschool.org
Cell: 503-502-5173
Overview: NOTE: This is a foundation course for upper division high school students intending to go to college (or at very least challenge themselves to become much better writers and readers). It is classified as a WIC (writing intensive course) for the purposes of tracking as a college preparatory type literature class.
This Art History class will cover major periods, paradigms and movements of Western Art. The class will focus on intensive writing and class discussion about this subject matter. This class should be considered to be upper level and meant for students who are already prepared for the demands of college prep Language Arts. Social Studies credit is an option.
Attendance:
You are expected to attend every single class, be on time and be prepared (having done any readings, homework, have the necessary materials). Obviously, “Life Happens” and some of you will end up missing a day or two. If you miss a day, it is up to YOU to talk to your classmates and get notes, assignments, etc. LECTURE, CLASS DISCUSSION, QUESTION ASKING AND NOTE TAKING ARE OF PRIMARY IMPORTANCE. If you miss a class I cannot/will not be able to recreate what you missed. It is up to YOU to find a classmate and ask to copy their notes.
You are considered to be absent if you are more than Ten (10) minutes late.
Absence issues will be dealt with on a case by case basis and may involve different consequences for different students including but not limited to behavior contracts and being dropped from the class. Either way multiple absences can significantly hurt your grade.
GRADING POLICY: THE CULMINATING PROJECT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IF LATE. A LATE PROJECT WILL AUTOMATICALY RESULT IN ZERO CREDIT FOR THAT ASSIGNMENT.
Last second excuses such as, “My printer is out of ink” and “ My Computer crashed” are UNACCEPTABLE. Plan ahead. Save your work. Email it to yourself. Print multiple copies.
The grading is based on a point system with a possible 100 points being the maximum. Completion of the course awards .5 Language Arts credit. There is also an option for .5 Social Studies Credit. Please meet with Kurt ASAP to discuss this option.
Participation (through out the semester) 20 points
Test 1 (pre mid term) 10
Test 2/paper(pre mid term) 10
Paper 1 10
Test 3 (post mid term) 10
Final Exam (post midterm) 20
Culminating Project 20
PARTICIPATION: 20% of your grade
Attending, being on time to class, discussion, upholding the constitution of the school at ALL times, coming to class prepared to work and organized; these are required components of class. Points will be deducted if students are often tardy, reticent with their input, disrespectful of the class, of myself or of others, and if they miss 3 or more classes. Trillium standards and social maturity standards apply. IF THERE IS TEACHER-DETERMINED SIGNIFICANT DISRUPTION TO THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT STUDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE CLASS OR SCHOOL. IT WILL BE THE STUDENT AND THEIR FAMILY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE UP THE WORK
TESTS: 30% of your grade
The first test will cover all the material presented before it is given. Proceeding tests will cover the next “batch” of material and so on. Tests will include short answer, identifications, multiple choice and essays. Portions on some tests will be open note.
Optional Papers: Students will have the option to write papers instead of the 2nd test. This paper must be 5-10 pages in length. Details and topics TBA. Student must choose either the paper or the test.
PAPER: 10% of your grade
The paper must be typed, using standard margins and fonts and meet MLA formatting and style guidelines. Students will be able to select from a set of provided essay topics or present their own (based on instructor pre-approval). Always print up two copies: one for me and one for you to have just in case. Always make sure to save a copy of your paper to a disc, back up hard drive or even something like Google Docs. The instructor reserves the right to suggest or REQUIRE A RE-WRITE on any paper. If a re-write is assigned the student and instructor will agree upon a new due date with the same late penalties as before. Suggested or required re-writes will earn new (usually better!) grades if the work improves. Details TBA.
FINAL EXAM: 20% of your grade
This is large scale essay test covering ALL of the material presented up until that point. Portions will be open note. It will be given in class.
EMERGENT ASSIGNMENTS/HOMEWORK/CLASSWORK: 10% of your grade
There may be various homework and class work assignments. Most of these will be “emergent” and will come directly from discussion and class interest. Each will be due the next time the class meets unless otherwise announced. The final number of these assignments therefore is not known, but all such assignments will count for a total of 10% of your final grade. Homework will be posted on the class blog within one week of being assigned. When classwork is assigned the expectation is that it be completed during class time.
Breakdown: Note that for this class a passing grade cuts off at 70%.
100 A+
99 - 92 A
91 - 90 A-
89 - 88 B+
87 - 82 B
81 – 80 B-
79 – 78 C+
77 – 72 C
71 – 70 C-
69 – 0 F
COURSE CALENDAR: 1st 6 weeks only
Due to class interest, teacher illness, unforeseen events, etc., the specified area of art study, the assignments and the due dates are subject to change. As you can clearly see the Syllabus often lacks specificity. Those of you who know Trillium will understand that this lack of structure will further allow for more time to follow avenues of study as they arise (re: Emergent Curriculum) as well as to make other adjustments as needed.
Week 1
Introduction: From Cave to Canvass
Paleolithic Art: Sculpture and Carving
Week 2
Paleolithic Art: Painting
Begin Neolithic Art/Rise of Civilizations
Week 3
Neolithic Art
Sumerian, Akkadian, Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian Art
Week 4
Sumerian, Akkadian, Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian Art continued.
Test 1
Begin Egyptian Art
Week 5-6
Egyptian Art
