Course Description

Welcome to an introduction to the world of the visual arts! Although the study of art is as vast as the study of humankind, this course will provide you with an understanding of the fundamental concepts so you can confidently observe and discuss works of art.

Through hands-on activities, discussion, research, and writing assignments, you will learn a great deal about the various forms of visual art such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and film, just to name a few! In this course, you will explore topics such as:

• Museums and their function in our society
• Fundamental concepts of art, such as formal elements, principles of design, and style
• Prominent artists and their stylistic characteristics
• Media and common techniques used to create art
• Art's historical periods and the significance of context

We will approach this course by art form, starting with an introduction to the visual arts, art analysis, and the technical aspects of art. These introductory modules will provide you with the ability to discuss art and understand the process by which art is made. In addition, you will garner a sense of the value of art in different cultures.

Image: Painting depicting Arabs in Cairo market by Leopold Muller; Thinkstock.com

Objectives

Upon completion of Art Appreciation, students should be able to:

• Understand and explain the significance of artworks in Western and non-Western cultures.
• Identify the medium, and explain the technique, used to create works of art.
• Identify and analyze formal elements, principles of design, and stylistic characteristics found in artworks from various art historical periods.
• Discuss and evaluate the impact of societal conditions on the production of artwork.
• Analyze a work of art, placing it in historical, social, and cultural context.
• Create works of art utilizing techniques such as perspective and concepts such as color theory.
  

DoDEA Art Appreciation Standards may be viewed by clicking the link.

Image: Cave Painting of Bull; Wikimedia Commons

Course Outline

• Introduction to course/Pre-assessment
• What is Art Appreciation?
• Technical Aspects of Art
• Two-dimensional Art
• Three-dimensional Art
• Architecture and Design
• Camera Arts
• Semester Exam Post-Test/Exam Review

Image: Silhouette of the Louvre in Paris during the Egyptian Antiquities Exhibition April 16, 2010; Shutterstock.com

Textbook

Discovering Art History
ISBN Number (Student Edition) 9780871927194
Publisher: Davis Publication

Image: Tutankhamen's golden mask; Thinkstock.com