Valley City  State University

I.   Instructor: Linda Whitney
      e-mail: linda.whitney@vcsu.edu
      Office:  MCCAR  355    845-7598 
      Hours: MWF 8:00 - 9:00 and 10:00 - 11:00 AM

     TEXT:  HUMANITIES 202 WEB PAGE 
              Sketchbook (8.5" x 11") for drawing and journaling 
              Crayons - 16 colors

 “Making images is as natural a human endeavor as speaking.  The necessity to communicate with the world underlies both, and both are means to touch, explore, and create the world.” Peter London,
NO MORE SECOND HAND ART.

II.  HUM 202 FINE ARTS AND AESTHETICS
        A course designed to acquaint the student with the development of music, the visual arts, and aesthetics 
        within the development of world civilization.

III.  COURSE PURPOSE AND GOALS: 
        A.  The Visual Art component is an introduction to learning and using the language of visual art which 
              allows you to understand the messages created by artists and designers.  It is also the introduction 
              to aesthetic understanding of art making in the modern and contemporary world and in various 
              societies.

        B.  The course strives to fulfill all the objectives stated in the HUM 202 OBJECTIVES.

        C.  Students will understand the basic visual elements of design (line, shape, texture, pattern, composition)
              Students will gain a basic understanding of art making from recent history to today, and from our society
              and others. 

IV.   COURSE PHILOSOPHY AND POLICIES 
        A.  ATTENDANCE:  You are responsible for material covered during each class period.  Please let me
              know in advance when it is necessary to be absent.  145 points of your total art evaluation will be
              accomplished in class.  The majority of the 145 in class points evolve out of group work.  It is almost 
              impossible to make up those points.  It will only be possible to make up some of the missed points 
              through other work if an excuse is obtained prior to the absence.

         B. HOMEWORK:  Homework is due on or before the time and date assigned unless you have been given 
              a homework excuse.  Late homework will receive a 20% deduction of total points per day (one day late
              can only earn up to 80% of the total points, two days late can only earn 60%, three days late can earn 
              only 40%, four days late only 20%, five days late 0%).  A Homework Excuse may obtained, in written 
              form, in the case of illness that requires a medical attention by a doctor (or the equivalent) and in the 
              case of an emergency.  The Homework Excuse must be obtained in advance of the date due. 

          C. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  If you are caught cheating in Humanities 202 you will fail the Art section 
               of the course.

          D. COMPUTER USE:  Computer use during class presentations (including presentations by faculty and 
               students, all class conversations, video presentations, and studio work) will be limited to note taking. 
               Students choosing to play games, e-mail, download, send network broadcasts, listen to music, etc. during
               presentation times will also choose to write a 750 word essay on an assigned topic. 

          E. INCOMPLETES AND UNSUCCESSFUL STUDENTS: Incompletes for the art section of Humanities 202 
               will be given only for illness and serious personal situations.   All unsuccessful students will need to retake 
               the course. 

“The historical process is such that unexpected discoveries occur only to those who are prepared…”  Riva Castleman, PRINTS OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: A History.

V.  LEARNING ACTIVITIES

          A. MAJOR ABILITY MET BY HUMANITIES 202
                   1.  Aesthetic Engagement - To move from an intuitive reaction toward reasoned response.
                    Visualization: Uses intuition and imagination to perceive and interpret
                         an aesthetic experience.
                          Level Three:
                                 * Identifies underlying patterns
                                 * Illustrates patterns so others can recognize it
                                 * Explains implications of the pattern
                         PROJECTS:
                                 Classroom Reflection and Weekly Responses:       
                                  You will have numerous opportunities to move from an immediate intuitive reaction to
                                  a reasoned response.  Each week you will view and investigate art images and practice 
                                  your reflective responses.     Reflective Response Questions will posted each week.

                                  Final Response:
                                  Your final response session will occur during the final class of the art section; Thursday,
                                  March 4, 2004, 12:35 PM.  

          B. UNDERSTANDING IMAGES/SOCIETIES:  The language of art -the elements of visual expression- 
               will allow both groups and individuals the understanding of art images and concepts from historical, 
               modern, and contemporary artists.   You will use visual clues to "read" art images and understand
               the stories told by artists.

         C.  UNDERSTANDING THE USE OF THE ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF VISUAL 
               EXPRESSION:  You will have opportunities to investigate the art and artmaking of an artist and the
               theories and ideas from which they work.  Reflective responses, based on viewing, research, and the
               online text sections, demonstrate the understanding of the elements and principles of visual expression.   

         D.  STUDIO PROJECTS:  You will experience various art making projects.  You will begin by
               using basic images to create a picture story.  You will experience various tools and materials and
               gain understanding of the use of space.   The clay lab, printmaking studio, the use of color and the
               drawing studio may be experienced.

         E.  JOURNALS, WRITING, AND SKETCHBOOKS: You will experience presentations on and
               research in art eras and movements, artists, and artmaking in various societies.  Each of you will keep
               a journal from which reflective statements will be written and turned in. You will also keep a drawing journal
               in a sketchbook.  

          F.  CLASS CONCEPTUAL PROJECTS: Students will work in groups to investigate various topics.  

VI.  EVALUATION / ASSESSMENT

         ART EVALUATION:
         Grades will be based on the following:
         Homework: 
            Image/Design Responses:              30 points 
             Reflective Statements:                   60 points 
         Class Reflective Statements,
         Class Projects and Journals:           115 points          
         Sketchbook:                                       45 points
         Final Response:                                 40 points
          Self Assessment:                              10 points
                                                 Total:        300 points

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:   Discussion, Research, and Studio

“I know what I like…or is it I like what I know?”      anonymous.

VCSU is tobacco free.  Use of all types of tobacco in class is prohibited. 
 

CLASS OUTLINE      TUESDAY EVENING CLASS OUTLINE

SECTION 1      SECTION 2      SECTION 3     SECTION 4       SECTION 5     SECTION 6    SECTION 7