Acknowledgments and Credits:
The online lectures on this website were written by Kenney Mencher at Ohlone College in California and Texas A&M International University. 
It was substantially rewritten, edited, revised, and researched by Kenney Mencher and students Christina (Monkey) Paul, Annette Abbott, Tova Ossad, and various others (credited within the text). 


ART 101 Online, An Introduction to Art
Summer 2011 Ohlone College 
June 20-July 28

Instructor Bonnie Kuo (Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)

Syllabus

Getting Started

Before you do anything, read the following links:

Helpful links Scroll down this page for schedule of readings and due dates on assignments.
Note: This Calendar is subject to change


Part 1: Basic Questions about Art (6/20 - 6/28)

Readings and Online Lectures for Part 1


Assignments for Part 1

ASSIGNMENT #1, #2, and #3    Due Thursday June 23 by 11:59 pm or earlier

If you miss or are late in turning in any of the first 4 assignments you earn an automatic "F" in the course.  If you miss any of the first 4 assignments you may be automatically dropped from the course.

I do NOT always check my email on the weekends.   DO NOT expect me to answer emails that are sent a few hours before the assignment is due.  Please plan ahead!

Assignment #1:  INTRODUCTORY EMAIL ASSIGNMENT  (Read the directions carefully!)

  • Send an e-mail to me using the message function in Blackboard
  • In the body of the e-mail please put your name and answer the following questions.

    •    1.  Have you read and undertstood the Syllabus?
       2.  Have you gone to the class website and read and understood the links under "Getting Started"?
       3.  What is the best way to contact me? 
       4.  What information needs to be in the subject heading of your emails for this class?
       5.  Do I accept email attachments?
       6.  What is the policy on late work in this class?
       7.  Are there any make-ups or extra credit in this class?
       8.  Did you read and understand the List of Assignments and Due Dates found on the Syllabus and throughout the website?
       9.  What constitutes cheating/plagiarism?
       10.  What are the consequences if you plagiarize or cheat on your worksheets or discussion board postings?
       11. In case of technical difficulties with Blackboard, what precautions should you take when completing a worksheet assignment?  If Blackboard is down when an assignment is due, what should you do?
       12. Do you have any questions for me?


Assignment #2:  INTRODUCTORY DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING

In complete sentences that are properly punctuated and capitalized, please post a message to the class discussion board in which you introduce yourself to the class.
Provide the following information:

   1.  What you would like to be called (your name or nickname).
   2.  How long have you been studying at Ohlone?
   3.  What is your major?
   4.  Your background in terms of taking any kind of art class.
   5.  Why are you taking this class?
   6.  Something interesting about yourself.  (You can write anything here, except for something rude.)
 

Assignment #3: DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING 1

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!

Choose ONE of the following discussion topics and post your response on the discussion board or respond to someone else's post. 

(A REMINDER: If you choose to respond to someone else's post, make sure your reply adds to the discussion.  Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate and provide factual evidence to back up your opinion.  If your reply does not add anything new to the discussion but simply restates another student's answer, it will not receive full credit.  Remember the point is to have a meaningful discussion and demonstrate to me that you have read and understood the material.)

(How to get an "A" while doing this.)

  • Sayre provides four possible roles of the artist.  Choose a work of art from the text and discuss which role(s) the artist is fulfilling in that work of art.  To receive full credit, you must discuss a work of art that is not one the examples Sayre uses in his discussion on the role of the artist.  Also, chose an example that hasn't already been discussed by your classmates; OR if you choose the same work, you must add something new to the discussion by providing a critical response to your classmate's posting.  Be sure to first reference the work of art using the artist's name, title of the work, date, and the page or figure number from Sayre on which the work is reproduced.
  • What is the role of beauty in art?  Do you think art must be beautiful?  Explain why or why not?  Choose a work of art from the book to support your answer.  To receive full credit, you must discuss a work of art that hasn't already been chosen by your classmates; OR if you choose the same work, you must add something new to the discussion by providing a critical response to your classmate's posting.  Be sure to first reference the work of art using the artist's name, title of the work, date, and the page or figure number from Sayre on which the work is reproduced.


ASSIGNMENT #4    Due Tuesday June 28 by 11:59 pm or earlier
WORKSHEET 1

Worksheet 1

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!
Spelling and grammar matter.

If you miss or are late in turning in any of the first 4 assignments you earn an automatic "F" in the course.  If you miss any of the first 4 assignments you may be automatically dropped.

Note:  ALWAYS save a backup copy of your worksheet responses in a word processing program such as MS Word.  If you run into a problem while submitting the worksheets on Blackboard, you can still submit the assignment by cutting and pasting your numbered answers into an email and sending them directly to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Please remember, I do NOT accept email attachments or images. 

(Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)
 


SUNDAY JUNE 26 Last day to drop semester length class without a "W" grade

Part 2: Reception of Art and Its Controversies (6/29 - 7/5)

Readings and Online Lectures for Part 2


Assignments for Part 2

ASSIGNMENT #5   Due Thursday June 30 by 11:59 pm or earlier
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING 2

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!

Choose ONE of the following proposed topics and post an answer to the discussion board or respond to someone else's post.  Please type the discussion question at the top of your posting.

(A REMINDER: If you choose to respond to someone else's post, make sure your reply adds to the discussion.  Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate and provide factual evidence to back up your opinion.  If your reply does not add anything new to the discussion but simply restates another student's answer, it will not receive full credit.  Remember the point is to have a meaningful discussion and demonstrate to me that you have read and understood the material.)

(How to get an "A" while doing this.)

  • After reading Sayre's discussion on the business of selling, collecting, and exhibiting art, what is your reaction?  Is it simply "very-high end shopping" as Sayre points out?  Discuss the complexities of the art market and areas of potential conflicts of interest.
  • A work of art can be confusing or even offensive the first time we look at it, but after learning more we often come to a better understanding and appreciation of that same work.  Name a work of art from Chapters 3 or 21 of Sayre in which you experienced this.  Describe your initial reaction and your later understanding of the work once you learned more by reading the text and/or online lecture.   To receive full credit, you must discuss a work of art that hasn't already been chosen by your classmates; OR if you choose the same work, you must add something new to the discussion by providing a critical response to your classmate's posting.  Be sure to first reference the work of art using the artist's name, title of the work, date, and the page or figure number from Sayre on which the work is reproduced.
  • People at first had a hard time adjusting to the newer ideas and forms involved with modern art.  Choose a work of art from Sayre's Chapter 21 that you have a strong reaction to and discuss your feelings and the reasons for them.   Do you agree with the artist's choice of theme or purpose in making the piece of art?  To receive full credit, you must discuss a work of art that hasn't already been chosen by your classmates; OR if you choose the same work, you must add something new to the discussion by providing a critical response to your classmate's posting.  Be sure to fully reference the work of art, so your peers can look it up in Sayre (see note above).


ASSIGNMENT #6    Due Tuesday July 5 by 11:59 pm or earlier
WORKSHEET 2

Worksheet 2

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!
Spelling and grammar matter.

Note:  ALWAYS save a backup copy of your worksheet responses in a word processing program such as MS Word.  If you run into a problem while submitting the worksheets on Blackboard, you can still submit the assignment by cutting and pasting your numbered answers into an email and sending them directly to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Please remember, I do NOT accept email attachments or images. 

(Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)
 

Part 3: Formal Analysis of Art (7/6 - 7/12)

Readings and Online Lectures for Part 3
 
 


Assignments for Part 3

ASSIGNMENT #7   Due Thursday July 7 by 11:59 pm or earlier
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING 3

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!

Choose ONE of the following  proposed topics and post an answer to the discussion board or respond to someone else's post.  Please type the question into your response.

(A REMINDER: If you choose to respond to someone else's post, make sure your reply adds to the discussion.  Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate and provide factual evidence to back up your opinion.  If your reply does not add anything new to the discussion but simply restates another student's answer, it will not receive full credit.  Remember the point is to have a meaningful discussion and demonstrate to me that you have read and understood the material.)

(How to get an "A" while doing this.)
 

  • Explain how one goes about determining the symmetry of a work of art.  Then describe the difference between bilateral symmetry and symmetry.  Finally, discuss how a composition can be asymmetrically balanced.
  • What is atmospheric perspective (also known as aerial perspective)? Describe how atmospheric perspective is created in a work of art and the effect it has on pictorial space.
  • Describe the concept of optical mixing.  Given an example of a work of art from the online lectures or textbook that relies on optical mixing.  Be sure to reference the work of art using the artist's name, title of the work, date, and the page or figure number from Sayre on which the work is reproduced. 
  • Nonlocal color is the opposite of local color.  Discuss nonlocal color and the difference between perceptual color and arbitrary color.


ASSIGNMENT #8    Due Tuesday July 12 by 11:59 pm or earlier
WORKSHEET 3

Worksheet 3

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!
Spelling and grammar matter.

Note:  ALWAYS save a backup copy of your worksheet responses in a word processing program such as MS Word.  If you run into a problem while submitting the worksheets on Blackboard, you can still submit the assignment by cutting and pasting your numbered answers into an email and sending them directly to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Please remember, I do NOT accept email attachments or images. 

(Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)
 


TUESDAY JULY 19  Last day to drop from semester length courses with a "W" grade 

Part 4: Iconographic Analysis of Art (7/13 - 7/19)

Readings and Online Lectures for Part 4

  • Reread Sayre Chapter 2 Developing Visual Literacy
  • Review Sayre Chapters 4-8 The Formal Elements and Their Design
  • Read Sayre Chapter 20 The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
  • Romanticism
  • Caspar David Friederich


Assignments for Part 4

ASSIGNMENT #9   Due Thursday July 14 by 11:59 pm or earlier
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING 4

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!

Choose ONE of the following proposed topics and post an answer to the discussion board or respond to someone else's post.  Please type the question into your response.

(A REMINDER: If you choose to respond to someone else's post, make sure your reply adds to the discussion.  Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate and provide factual evidence to back up your opinion.  If your reply does not add anything new to the discussion but simply restates another student's answer, it will not receive full credit.  Remember the point is to have a meaningful discussion and demonstrate to me that you have read and understood the material.)

(How to get an "A" while doing this.)

  • Describe the idea of the sublime.  Explain how Caspar David Friederich's Wanderer above the Sea of Fog (1817-1818) illustrates this concept.
  • Describe the subject matter portrayed in JMW Turner's The Slave Ship 1840 and your reaction to it.  Then explain how this work exemplifies the Romantic style.
  • What is iconography?  Why is iconography dependent on culture and why does it change over time?  (To receive full credit, do not paraphrase what is written in the textbook.  Please do not discuss or use as an example Jan Van Eyck's The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami, 1434, Figure 34.  Remember to write entirely in your own words to demonstrate you understand this concept.)


ASSIGNMENT #10    Due Tuesday July 19 by 11:59 pm or earlier
WORKSHEET 4

Worksheet 4

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!
Spelling and grammar matter.

Note:  ALWAYS save a backup copy of your worksheet responses in a word processing program such as MS Word.  If you run into a problem while submitting the worksheets on Blackboard, you can still submit the assignment by cutting and pasting your numbered answers into an email and sending them directly to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Please remember, I do NOT accept email attachments or images. 

(Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)
 


Part 5: Application of Concepts to Renaissance Art (7/20 - 7/28)

Readings and Online Lectures for Part 5


Assignments for Part 5

ASSIGNMENT #11   Due Thursday July 21 by 11:59 pm or earlier
DISCUSSION BOARD POSTING 5

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!

Choose ONE of the following proposed topics and post an answer to the discussion board or respond to someone else's post.  Please type the question into your response.

(A REMINDER: If you choose to respond to someone else's post, make sure your reply adds to the discussion.  Explain why you agree or disagree with your classmate and provide factual evidence to back up your opinion.  If your reply does not add anything new to the discussion but simply restates another student's answer, it will not receive full credit.  Remember the point is to have a meaningful discussion and demonstrate to me that you have read and understood the material.)

(How to get an "A" while doing this.)
 

  • Choose your favorite work of Renaissance or Baroque art reproduced in Sayre Chapter 19 or from one of the online lectures and explain why you like it.  Use the concepts you have learned in this class to support your opinion.  To receive full credit, you must discuss a work of art that hasn't already been chosen by your classmates; OR if you choose the same work, you must add something new to the discussion by providing a critical response to your classmate's posting.  Be sure to reference the work of art using the artist's name, title of the work, date, and the page or figure number from Sayre on which the work is reproduced.


ASSIGNMENT #12    Due Tuesday July 26 by 11:59 pm or earlier
WORKSHEET 5

Worksheet 5

I do not accept late work.  So make sure you turn it in on time!
Spelling and grammar matter.

Note:  ALWAYS save a backup copy of your worksheet responses in a word processing program such as MS Word.  If you run into a problem while submitting the worksheets on Blackboard, you can still submit the assignment by cutting and pasting your numbered answers into an email and sending them directly to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Please remember, I do NOT accept email attachments or images. 

(Bonnie Kuo <bkuo@ohlone.edu>)
 

This is your last assignment; there is no final exam in this class.
After you have finished Worksheet 5 you are free!  Thanks for taking the class and enjoy the rest of your summer!