Summer 2012 - Session II

Art History I  

A Survey of Western Art from Prehistory to the Renaissance

Dr. Ioanna Kopsiafti

Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 – 12:40

ikopsiafti@gmail.com     Office Hours: by appointment

COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Description:

This course surveys the history of western art from the prehistoric to the Baroque period with emphasis on the cultural, political, economic, and social contexts in which these works were produced. The course looks at painting, sculpture and architecture within the context of the classical tradition and how its ‘renaissance’ became the basis of western civilization. Lectures will be held on campus and on-site with visits to museums, churches and archaeological sites around the city.

Course Objectives/Learning Outcomes:

The purpose of this course is to encourage an appreciation of the visual arts and to foster an understanding of the historical significance of works of art within the cultural framework in which they were produced. During the lectures we will examine and discuss many works of art and learn to analyze them stylistically to understanding their form and content. In so doing students will become familiar with the vocabulary and theories of art as well as the history of art history.

By the end of this semester students will be able to:

• identify and discuss works of art using the vocabulary of art history
• compare and contrast works of art on the basis of their formal/stylistic attributes
• apply theories of art to critically analyze works
• understand the cultural, iconographic, historic, political, religious and social context of works of art
• develop an appreciation of the visual arts
• achieve an understanding of the Classical Tradition as the basis for Western culture

• understand the basic principles and concepts of Art History

Grades

40% Term paper/presentation

30% Final

20% Participation/Attendance

10% Journal

Course Requirements:

In order to successfully complete the course the student must:

• Read all assigned material
• Actively participate in class discussions, readings, and projects
• Complete written assignment and oral presentation that demonstrate basic critical and research skills
• Satisfactorily complete the midterm and final exams
• Submit a journal with weekly entries
• Attend class regularly

Term Paper

Each student will choose a subject for a research paper either from a list of suggested topics or one they propose – subject to approval. The paper should be no less than 5 pages (normal margins, normal 12 font 1.5 space) and no more than 10. The paper should meet standards for documentation (footnotes and bibliography etc.) The expectation is that the research should represent information from a number of sources and that any direct borrowing of wording from these sources will be indicated by quotation marks and footnotes. On June 22^nd students will present their term paper to the class in a power point presentation. Remember *plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment.

Journal

For this class you will be required to keep a weekly journal. This should include but is not limited to your experiences and thoughts regarding the subject matter of this class, our museum and onsite visits etc. You may include sketches, photographs etc. It is an important part of the course as will help you to better appreciate your experiences by reflecting upon them weekly in your journal.

Final Exams

The final exam will be based on readings, class lectures and on-site visits. It will be in four parts: Identification of works, short compare and contrast essays, multiple choice and essays.  The final and presentation will be on the last day of class so please make travel arrangements accordingly.

Also please note that there are entrance fees to the sites and museums we will visit. (approximately 50.00 Euros)

Required text

• Kleiner, Fred S. Gardner's Art through the Ages: The Western Perspective. Vol. II. 13th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2010. [ISBN‐13: 978‐0‐495‐57364‐7; ISBN‐10: 0‐495‐57364‐7] (Also available online.) Note there will also be copies on reserve in the JFRC library.

Books are available at the Loyola University Bookstore - Lakeshore Campus or online at www.luc-lsc.bkstr.com.

Recommended:

• Claridge, A., Rome: Oxford Archaeological Guide. (Oxford University Press)
• Giorgio Vasari, The Lives of the Artists, trans. George Bull, 2 vols. (Penguin Books)
• John Griffiths Pedley, Greek Art and Archaeology Third Edition, (Prentice Hall)
• S.J. Freedberg, Painting in Italy, 1500-1600 (Pelican History of Art: Yale University Press)
• Martin Kemp, ed., Leonardo on Painting (Yale University Press)
• Baxandall, Michael. "Patterns of Intention." In The Art of Art History. Ed. Donald Preziosi, 52-61. Oxford, New York: (Oxford University Press)
• Gombrich, Ernst. "Style" (1968). In The Art of Art History. Ed Donald Preziosi, 150-163. New York: (Oxford University Press)
• Claridge, A., Rome: Oxford Archaeological Guide. (Oxford University Press)
• Heinrich Wölfflin, Classic Art (Phaidon Press)
• Erwin Panofsky, Studies in Iconology (Harper & Row)
                                 

COURSE CONTENT SYLLABUS

Week One

July 3^rd Introduction to the Subjects and Vocabulary of Art History/The Rise of Civilization/Egypt and the Near East

July 5^th The Art of Ancient Greece

Week Two

July 10^th The Art of Ancient Rome (onsite lecture) Capidolio/Forum & Coliseum

July 12^th Pagans Christians and Jews/The Art of Late Antiquity (onsite lecture) St. Clemente

Week Three:

July17^th Humanism and the Allure of Antiquity/ (onsite lecture) Vatican

July 19^th High Renaissance in Italy & the Baroque (onsite lecture) Borghese Gallery

Week Four:

July 24^th / Baroque Rome

July 26^th Presentations/Final Exam