INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: Peter Williams
Phone: 965-3931 x2565
Email:williamsp@kellogg.cc.mi.us
Office hours posted in Davidson Building office

TITLE OF COURSE ART 105, Contemporary Art Survey:
Introduction to Contemporary Art History

DESCRIPTION OF COURSE: This lecture course will explore key movements and concepts expressed in visual arts of the mid-20th century to the present. The social, cultural and political contexts of works in both traditional and new media, as well as architecture, will be introduced.

LENGTH: One semester, 32 hours instruction, 2 credit hours

COURSE PREREQUISITES: NONE

TEXT: Required: Movements in Art Since 1945 (New Edition) by Edward Lucie-Smith, Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0-500-20344-X

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS: Handouts provided by instructor

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: A record of attendance will be kept and points will be given for in-class activities on a weekly basis. Each student is responsible for notifying the instructor when absence is due to illness or other reasonable cause. Only students with excused absences may complete make-up assignments for full credit.

When repeated or extended absences reach levels where successful completion of the course is jeopardized, an Excessive Absence Report will be sent to the counseling staff. An attempt is then made to contact the student to resolve any problems. Continued absenteeism may lead to administrative action.

DERIVATION OF GRADE:
The semester is divided into 5 three-week units plus one final week:

Assignment Descriptions: (further details will be provided in each Unit's study guide)

• Quizzes and Tests: multiple choice, short answer, matching, true/false, artwork and artist identification
• Discussion Forums: questions relating to unit themes or chapter readings will be posted and forum will allow you to post your own responses and also respond to other students' comments.
• Short Essays: 1/2 page essays written on unit themes or reading topics to be submitted directly to the instructor.
• Web Topic Forums: similar to discussion forums listed above, responses to information gathered at specific web sites on artists or topics not covered by textbook.
• Research Paper: 4-5 pages of text on a contemporary artist covered in the course. Paper will include cited information gathered from a minimum of three sources beyond your textbook.

ASSIGNMENTS PER UNIT VALUE TOTAL

• Unit Chapter Quizzes (one per unit) 15 pts. each unit- 75 pts.
• Chapter Reading Group Discussion Forums (two forums per unit)- 50 pts.

• Short Essay Responses (length: 1/2 page each/two essays per unit)- 50 pts.

• Web Topic Forum (one forum per unit) [substitute Warm-up activities in Unit I]- 25 pts

• Research Paper (4-5 pages due at end of Unit V)- 25 pts.
• Final Test (to be taken during final week after Unit V)- 25 pts.

Total possible:250 pts.

Final grade determined by dividing your total against the 250 pts. possible:
100-93.5%=A
93.4-89.5%=A-
89.4-86.5%=B+
86.4-83.5%=B
83.4-79.5%=B-
79.4-76.5%=C+
76.4-73.5%=C
73.4-69.5%=C-
69.4-66.5%=D+
66.4-63.5%=D
63.4-59.5%=D-

Standard English usage is expected on all homework assignments. Part of the grading rubric on essays and research project will require proper sentence and paragraph structure, correct spelling and grammar use, etc. (details on these grading factors will be provided in the Unit I study guide)

Objectives;

The student will:

• develop an understanding of the main movements in the visual arts since the end of World War II to the present through readings, lecture activities, group discussions, research, writing responses, and quizzes/tests.
• learn and apply specific terms related to the art movements studied
• identify key artists and art works connected to contemporary movements and relate information to sets of characteristics associated with each artist or group
• develop a basic understanding of how contemporary art can reflect important symbols of individual expression or reflect/respond to larger political, social, and cultural events
• gain an appreciation of the visual arts as a means of communicating across cultural boundaries by looking at works from a wide variety of global communities
• consider contemporary art in relation to historical perspectives as well as personal life experiences and respond to these connections through discussion forums and other activities

CURRICULUM STATEMENT:
This course will prepare you to make distinctions between concepts and styles associated with contemporary visual art. The information in this course is designed to increase your appreciation of the humanities in culture and enhance your skills in writing and communication through the various assignments and activities.

NOTE: Contemporary art is thought provoking and as varied in scope as society itself. While it is not the focus of the course, occasionally, we will be looking at and discussing some art works which deal in controversial ways with topics such as sexuality, religion, and race. If you are particularly sensitive to any of these issues, please consult a course counselor for other classes, which may be substituted for equivalent humanities credit.

Art 105 tentative general schedule (subject to change)
Week	Topic Presented	LectureChapter	Quiz or Exam	Assignments	Group Assignments
1 (Aug.26-Sept. 1)	(Begin UNIT I) Introductory overview and activities Abstract Expressionism The European scene	Intro chapter Chapter 1 Chapter 2		Warm-up activities/ Read Unit I chapters	Warm-up forum
2 (Sept. 2-8)	Unit I				Discussion forums
3 (Sept. 9-15)	Unit I		Unit I quiz	Unit I essays due	Discussion forums
4 (Sept. 16-22)	(Begin UNIT II) Post-painterly Abstraction Pop Art, etc. Abstract sculpture/Minimalism / Conceptual Art	Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5		Read Unit II chapters
5 (Sept. 23-29)	Unit II				Web Topic Forum/Discussion Forums
6 (Sept. 30-Oct. 6)	Unit II		Unit II quiz	Unit II essays due	Discussion Forums
7 (Oct. 7-13)	(Begin UNIT III) An age of Pluralism Neo-expressionism USA 1970s - 90s	Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8		Read Unit III chapters
8 (Oct. 14-20)	Unit III				Web Topic Forum/ Discussion Forums
9 (Oct. 21-27)	Unit III	Chapter 8	Unit III quiz	Unit III essays due	Discussion Forums
10 (Oct. 28-Nov.3)	(Begin UNIT IV) Issue-based art and globalization The rise of video The photographic medium	Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11		Read Unit IV chapters
11 (Nov. 4-10)	Unit IV				Web Topic Forum/Discussion Forums
12 (Nov. 11-17)	Unit IV		Unit IV quiz	Unit IV essays due	Discussion Forums
13 (Nov. 18-24)	(Begin UNIT V) Post-Pop blues New Classicism Instructor directed current topics	Chapter 12 Chapter 13		Read Unit V chapters
14 (Nov. 25-Dec.1)	Unit V				Web Topic Forum/Discussion Forums
15 (Dec. 2-8)	Unit V		Unit V quiz	Unit V essays due/Research paper due	Discussion Forums
16 (Dec 9 - 15)	Finals Week		Final Test