Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Upon successful completion students should be able to:

• recognize formal qualities in two- and three-dimensional arts and read visual elements, artistic and cultural styles, and symbols

• view works of art “dynamically”, that is, to appreciate and communicate simultaneously individual viewer response, the uniqueness of a

• work, its origins and precedent, its potential as an inspiration and influence on later art, and its relationship to a particular cultural moment

• decipher the visual arts through understanding of historical, social, cultural, economic, and political contexts

• generalize course content to other art not covered in the course so that he/she can understand and value the visual arts in all-encompassing, global ways.

• Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning, by Sachant, Blood, LeMieux, and Tekippe. (Free online .pdf file or printed version at cost on amazon.com and elsewhere)

• work creatively with art historical data, using it to develop principles of art history

• recognize and appraise patterns in historical phenomena

• assess the ways in which an art object is affected by our own vantage point

• recognize and discriminate among various styles of art

• trace the development of art from one period to another

• analyze formally works of art and appreciate the interrelationship of its elements

• determine symbolism in art

• employ iconographical nomenclature

• express the relationship of art to society and culture to style

• analyze the “meaning” of art objects through understanding of historical, social, and political context

• use specific terminology to describe works of art

• transfer to a four year college and continue a course of study in the field of art history, fine art, anthropology, and history in general

Writing Assignments (47%): the majority of the assessments in this course consist of writing assignments, which are exercises in visual analysis and art historical terminology. While most of these are shorter assignments, less that 400-500 words, there are two longer writing assignments which take the place of a traditional exam.

Participation (14%): Students are expected to make frequent weekly contributions to in-class activities. Be sure to do your reading assignments and be well-prepared for group work and writing assignments.

Activities (39%): The thematic emphasis of each week provides an opportunity demonstrate an understanding of the concepts. These activities range from brief drawings to word sorts and are intended to help solidify one's understanding of the learning outcomes

Required reading: Chapter 1 – What is Art?

Chapter 2 – Introduction up to Form and Composion

This covers only art media (drawing, sculpture, etc.)

Activities: Reframing Images Activity

Layers Activity

Due by January 10th

Required reading: Chapter 2 – Form and Composition

Reminder: Add/Drop deadlines

Activities: Vocabulary Sort Assignment

Unity and Variety Assignment

Due by January 17th

Required reading: Chapter 3 – Significance of Materials Used in Art

Activities: Writing Assignment: Of Sacreligion and Beyond

Discovery Project: Make Your Statement

Due by January 24th

Required reading: Chapter 4 – Describing Art

Activities: Writing Assignment: Moody Foodie

Writing Assignment: Practice Visual Analysis

Due by January 31st

Required reading: Chapter 5 – Meaning in Art

Activities: Discovery Projects: Seemingly Non-Sequitur and Flag Design

Due by Febraury 7th

Required reading: Chapter 6 – Connecting Art to Our Lives

Activity: Midterm Writing Assignment

Due by Febraury 14th

Required reading: Chapter 7 – Form in Architecture

Activities: Discovery Projects: Dream House, A Stone's Throw

Due by Febraury 21st

Required reading: Chapters 8 – Art and Identity

Activities: Expressions of Identity

Due by February 28th, 2025

Required reading: Chapter 9 – Art and Power

Activities: Discovery Projects: Powerful Statues, Oregon's Seat of Power

Due by March 7th

Required reading: Chapter 10 – Art and Ritual Life, Chapter 11 – Art and Ethics

Activities: Writing assignments: Role of the Viewer, What's my Job

Due by March 14th

Activities: Final Writing Assignment

Writing assgnment and any late work are due by March 21st

No use special technology not listed in the Online Learning Technical Requirements