UMM
Fall 2009
ARTH 1101:
Principles of Art
Prof. Julia Dabbs
Office: HFA 5
Office Hours: Mon. & Wed.
Phone: x6232
Email: dabbsj@morris.umn.edu
TA: Anne Bergstrom (bergs215@morris.umn.edu)
Scope and Objectives of the Course:
Principles of Art is intended as an
introduction to the theories, methods, and vocabulary of
art history. As a result of this course, you should be
able to:
1) understand the
multiple purposes art can fulfill in a particular culture
2) be able to analyze and describe a visual object in terms of
its expressive elements, and articulate what you believe it is communicating to
the viewer;
3) comprehend some of the ways in which art is interpreted, such
as formal analysis, biographical and psychoanalytical theories, historical
criticism, connoisseurship, iconography, and conservation/restoration
considerations.
Required text: J. Dabbs, "Principles of Art
Coursepack" (available in the bookstore);
will need to bring to each
class.
Recommended text: L. Adams, Looking at Art
(Prentice Hall, 2003); you do not
have to bring to class (a copy is also on reserve in the library).
Class Website:
//cda.morris.umn.edu/~dabbsj/principles.htm
This
site will be updated regularly, so check it often! Most importantly it will have the image and
terminology review lists for each exam (and will be updated once/week). There
will also be links to web assignments and other interesting sites.
Grading: 4 exams
(exam 1 worth 10%; 2=15%; 3=20%;
4=15%): 60%
Attendance
and participation: 15%
WebVista contributions: 5%
Exhibition review: 10%
Iconographic
self-portrait: 10%
Exams:
the exams will test your comprehension of the material discussed in
class using various methods, such as fill in the blank slide identifications
(artist, title, and a short-answer question), definitions of terms, and some
longer written response questions.
Please note:
-
Exam content will not be cumulative.
-
Make-up exams will be given IF I have been promptly notified about your absence
and it is excusable; health reasons should have documentation.
- If you have any special needs
regarding test-taking or other aspects of the course, please contact me early
in the semester; accommodations will be made if you have registered with the
Disabilities Services office.
Grading Scale and Policy (from
the
additions)
A: 93 - 100 “A” work represents achievement that is
outstanding relative to the level
necessary to meet course requirements;
A-:
92 - 90 excellent
comprehension of material; noteworthy originality
or
creativity
B+:
87 - 89
B: 86 - 83
achievement that is significantly above the level necessary to meet course
requirements; very good comprehension
of material,
B-: 82 - 80 evidence of some extra effort in
originality or creativity
C+:
77 - 79
C: 76 - 73
achievement that meets course requirements in every respect
C-: 72 - 70 (Basically, is “o.k.”)
D+: 67 -
69 achievement that is worthy of
credit even though it fails to meet
D: 66 - 63
fully the course requirements (or does not show very good
D-: 62 - 60 comprehension of material)
F:
59 and below failure in meeting
course requirements (lacking comprehension
of course content)
Academic dishonesty (including deliberate
plagiarism) in any portion of the work for the course shall result in a grade
of “F” or “N” (no grade) for the entire
course.
Incompletes will only be given in the event
of unusual circumstances.
Attendance and Participation:
Good
attendance is crucial to doing well in this course! I will be keeping track of attendance
throughout the semester to encourage this;
if you should come in late and don’t get to sign the attendance roster,
it is your responsibility to sign it at the end of class. Regular tardiness will affect your grade,
since it disrupts the class (please let me know if you are late for reasons
beyond your control, so I can be more understanding). More than 2 undocumented absences will also
negatively impact this portion of your grade (if you’re sick for a period of
time, please bring a note from Health Services or your doctor).
In the event you miss a class, be sure to
get notes from a classmate. Also, please
let me know if you have a chancellor’s or athletic excuse, or if other personal
issues are preventing you from coming.
Participation
points can come not only in the form of responses to my questions, but also
your own relevant questions and observations made during class.
WebVista: (to
access, go to http://www.myu.umn.edu then
click on “my courses” tab, and then ArtH 1101.
The
WebVista discussion board will feature various topics, some of which will
provide an opportunity to continue discussions begun in class, and others that
will simply encourage you to share some of your own experiences and
observations about art with others.
You
can participate in the WebVista discussions at any time; to fulfill this requirement
successfully, you are asked to contribute a thoughtful and coherent 1-paragraph
observation on two different topics, before the deadline of Oct. 21. If your contribution is merely repetitive
of what someone else has already said, or extremely brief, it will result in a
lower grade. Responses that are intolerant or disrespectful of others or their
beliefs will not be condoned.
Exhibition Review and Iconographic “Self-portrait”: see separate pages below
Advice for doing well in the course:
TAKE
THOROUGH NOTES in class, even during discussion (especially if I repeat what
someone has said). Generally, assume
that everything is important (I will tell you if you don't need to take
notes). You'll be able to study the
images later on your own, but the information given in class will not usually
be found in the text, so it is essential to get it down as best you can. I also will be testing you on what's covered
in class, rather than what's in the book, so that is another major reason for
taking good notes. If you feel that your
note-taking skills could use some improvement, please contact the
*The
exams will test both your verbal AND visual comprehension/memory; it will be
crucial to review both your notes and especially the images seen in class on a
regular basis (estimate 2 hrs. week).
Some students find it helpful to create "flashcards" to aid
their memorization - but don't wait until the night before the exam to do this! You may also find it helpful to form a
study/review group, since there likely will not be much time for review in
class.
If
you are having any difficulty in the class, please see me or my experienced
T.A. -
don't wait until it is too late to improve
your grade!
Final
advice: enjoy!
Extra-credit option (only
for those students who do not have
more than 2 unexcused absences): on the
course outline below you will find some “suggested readings” listed, all of
which are on e-reserves (to access, go to the Briggs Library homepage; click on
“Electronic Reserves” on left-side; choose “art history” as the discipline, and
then “1101”; for password, enter “dabbs1101”).
After reading a particular essay, write a 2-page summary and response –
what did you find interesting, or maybe questionable, about it? Was it informative, or could further
background/explanation have been useful?
Be sure to analyze, not just summarize!
*Responses can be turned in anytime during that unit in which the reading is
listed. You can receive a maximum of 5 extra-credit pts (added to your lowest
score) per critique; 2 critiques maximum for the semester.
Exhibition Review
Assignment:
Due: Fri. Nov. 13 (by
Length: approximately 3 pages,
double-spaced; if you consult sources (including websites) for information,
please list them at the end (you do not need to use footnotes/endnotes).
Assignment: You have been (hypothetically) asked by the
editor of the college newspaper to write a review of a current exhibition that
you have viewed in person this semester.
In your review, include the following:
-
a title for your review, and an interesting "lead" into the story
(get the reader's attention)
-
the facts of the exhibition: where it
is, for how long, approx. number of
works on
display; brief background on the artist(s),
as well as incorporating info. from the artist's statement about his/her work, if
available.
-
an overview of the range of work on display - types of media, approx. sizes,
subjects
-
discuss 3 works separately in relatively brief paragraphs; which ones captured your attention/interest,
and why (i.e., subject matter? color?
the medium used?). Especially consider what
the artist is attempting to express about the subject (in your view), and how
effectively this is done. Incorporate
any relevant artistic terminology, and put to use the techniques of visual
analysis you've been learning about!
*Please note that titles of works of art are italicized; no quotation
marks!
-
in your concluding paragraph, give the exhibition a "thumbs-up" or
"thumbs-down" -
do you recommend that others see it? Why/not?
Advice:
in writing this review, think of yourself more as a reporter than an art
critic; though you should feel free to
express opinions, remember that your primary goal is to inform the UMM
community about this exhibit.
- A useful book for assistance in visual
analysis is Barnet, A Short Guide to
Writing About Art,
on reserve in Briggs Library. You are also
welcome to come see me or the T.A. about the assignment. And a sample
exhibition review (written in the past by a student) will be posted on the
course website.
*Late work: will be graded down, unless
there is a legitimate excuse. No work
will be accepted after the last day of classes.
UMM’s
M - Th:
Iconographic
Self-portrait Project
Due: Wed. Dec. 9 (due by
Assignment:
First,
consider how you would characterize yourself in terms of your personal
qualities/personality, ethnicity, geographic origin, and other things that are
important to you. Then, translate these
characteristics into visual symbols (for example, an ox is a traditional symbol
of strength as well as patience), using the reference sources listed below, or
websites on symbolism (see class website for selected links). Take these visual symbols (either cut from
magazines, found on the WWW, or your own drawings), and combine either as a
collage, mobile, shadowbox, scrapbook, or using digital media, etc. You can
also use "found" objects (such as stickers, coins, memorabilia, etc.)
if you want. Your assembled work of art
doesn't have to actually look like you - it will be a purely symbolic
representation. No words should be
included, unless it is a motto; initial letters are o.k. Size/materials are at your discretion.
If you are creating a digital image, please
provide me with a hardcopy.
*Along with this visual “portrait” you will
also turn in an approximate 2 page, double-spaced, explanation of your
iconography. Why did you include these
images, and what do they symbolize? (now you're translating the other way,
visual to verbal).
*Be
sure to reference (simply author/title/page number; OR website address) each
symbolic association you utilize that you
have looked up.
Requirements:
-
incorporate a minimum of 7 different
symbols.
-
utilize (and cite) a minimum of 4
different sources on symbolism, whether books
or
websites [possibilities include dictionaries of names, horoscope signs,
religious symbolism, color, flower, animal symbolism, etc.]
-
DO NOT use words (an exception would be a motto); the point here is to
translate words into images
-
DO include some symbolic reference to your first and/or last name
Grading: You will not be graded on artistic ability;
instead, I will be looking to see that you've grasped the concept of
iconography, have consulted a variety of sources on symbolism, and have cited
them appropriately. Don't hesitate to
see me if any questions!
Selected Resources on Symbolism in Briggs Library: (also
see course website for selected links to useful websites)
*Biedermann, H. Dictionary of Symbolism
(Facts on File, 1992) UMM REF COLL AZ 108.B5313
UMM
REF COLL N7560.H34 1979
Hanks, P. and F. Hodges, A dictionary of
surnames (Oxford Univ. Pres, 1988)
UMM REF COLL CS2385.H27 1988.
*Olderr, S.
Reverse Symbolism Dictionary: Symbols Listed by Subject (McFarland,
1992)
UMM
REF COLL CB475.O37 1992
Walker, B.
Woman's Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects (Harper & Row,
1988)
UMM REF COLL CB475.W35 1988
Principles of Art: Course Outline – Fall 2009
*Please note: this outline
provides the topics to be discussed each class period, and is subject to slight
modifications; significant changes will be announced in class.
[“
UNIT 1: Why
Art? What is Art? [Adams, chs. 1, 2; ]
Aug. 26, 28: Intro.;
Purposes of Art;
Week of Aug.
31: Art – the Mirror of Life? And begin Art & Nature
[Mon. Sept. 7 – Labor Day, no class]
Sept. 9, 11: Art & Nature con’t.;
Art as Social/Political Commentary
Week of Sept.
21: Art & Spirituality
[representing the
gods; spiritual functions of art]
[
*suggested reading: A. Elsen, “Images of
Gods” (on e-reserve)
Fri. Sept.
25: Exam #1
Week of Sept.
28: Art & Memory
(Portraiture;
*suggested
reading: M. Calo, “Memorializing the Unspeakable” (e-res)
Week of Oct. 5: Art & Personal Expression; What
Is/Isn’t Art?
[
Week of Oct. 12: Art
& Censorship [
*suggested
reading: Balfe & Wyszomirski, “The Commissioning of a Work of
Public Sculpture” (on Tilted Arc) (e-res)
F Oct. 16 Exam
#2
[M Oct. 19, fall break]
*WebVista discussions will be closed as of 10/21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIT 2: Formal
Analysis of Art (interpreting the visual components)
[
Oct. 21/23: Composition & Design: Illusion of Depth
Week of Oct.
26: Light & Color; Line;
Drawing
Week of Nov.
2: Paint media
Week of Nov.
9: Sculpture media
Fri. Nov. 13:
Exhibition review due
Week of Nov.
16: Architecture Basics
Fri. Nov. 20:
Exam #3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIT 3: Other
Methods of Interpreting Art
[Adams,
chs. 6, 7]
M Nov. 23:
Intro to iconographic research and the Self-portrait project
[ no class Nov. 25 or 27, Thanksgiving break]
Week of Nov.
30: Iconography con’t.; Connoisseurship
Week
of Dec. 7:
Conservation/restoration;
Cultures of Collecting and “The Masterpiece”; Elgin Marbles debate
*suggested
readings: G. Stamp, “Keeping our
Marbles”; and M. Mercouri, “1986 Speech to the Oxford Union” (both e-res).
*Iconographic self-portrait due Wed. Dec. 9
*Last exam (last unit of course only): Thurs. Dec. 17,