Course outline 1999-2000
(instructor: Mrs. Wheeler)

To look is one thing,
To see what you look at is another,
To understand what you see is a third,
To learn from what you understand is still something else:
To act on what you learn is all that matters.
...Taoist saying

I. Description of Course:

Arts and Cultures is a Visual Arts course about how humans across the ages and around the world have used or are using art as expression; as political expression, as religious expression, and as personal expression. Humans seem to need to express who they are, and what they are about. We will be taking a look at various world cultures and recognized artists within each culture, using their approaches as our inspirations. We will explore and experiment with our own ideas and styles in hands-on studio projects.

    In each study unit, we will be dealing with the following four dimensions of understanding:
        1. Aesthetic Perception - Description of the visual (learning to notice elements and principles)
        2. Creative Expression - The doing/skills acquisition and practice (studio work)
        3. Arts Heritage - historical and cultural background
4. Aesthetic Valuing - analysis, interpretation, judgment (critiquing)

II. Course Content 1st Semester (Art A)
    Here is a list of the topic areas we will be studying in the approximate sequence we will be following:
        A. Introduction-- Getting the vocabulary
                1. Elements - the basic building blocks
                2. Principles - what an artist does with the elements


        B. Getting to know you
                 1. Self portraits (using the elements of line and texture)
                 2. Personal symbols (Freida Kahlo)

        C. Prehistoric Art (using the element of shape)
                1. Rock (cave) - Lascaux paintings (in our case we'll paint sidewalks )
                2. Fertility figures - Venus of Willendorf

        D. Native American (using the element of form)
                1. Regional styles and techniques - design elements governed by enviornment
                2. Baskets - plaited paper and coiled pine needle
                3. Bead making and beadwork
             4. Dream catchers

        E. Noted artists of the United States
                1. Cowboy - Charles Russell and Frederick Remington
                2. Folk ("primitive")- Pippin and Grandma Moses
                3. Nature - Audobon, Bierstadt, and O'Keefe
                4. Creating a multimedia presentation about an American artist
                    (PowerPoint with a partner)

        F. Mexico, Central and South America (focus element - color)
                1. Murals as political statements (Rivera, Orozco, Sequieros)
                2. Skeleton figures for Day of the Dead (El Dia de los Muertos)
                3. Molas - stylized layered color/shapes

=================SECOND SEMESTER================================

        G. Japan
                1. Papermaking
                2. Block printing (Hokusai)

Note: This year's Japan art unit will be significantly enhanced by Mrs. Wheeler's education study trip to Japan. She plans to learn new art approaches, share them with you and have you in turn demonstrate to younger kids and/or senior citizens.         H. Near East and Egypt
                1. Islamic Calligraphy and non-figurative design
                2. Tiles/tessellations (Escher)
                3. Geometry and Kaliedescope design
                4. Your personalized cartouche

        I . Africa
                1. Mask --- Origin stories and storytelling
                2. Inspiration for Cubism, Picasso and modern art

        J. Europe
                1. Cathedral - stained glass
                2. Impressionism - study of light
                3. Cubism - study of plane and shape (Picasso, Cezanne)
                4. Multimedia presentation of a famous artist

III Expectations and weighted grading:
Points will be given for all work. Semester grades are based on the percent earned of the total possible. Some studio projects are weighted with more points than others depending upon the degree of intricacy. Progress reports are available every two weeks or by request.

A. The response journal ( 15%): Students keep a written journal in which they respond, compare or critique a daily quote, question, or noted work of art.

B. Studio Projects, exams and written papers (85%) : For each unit of study there will be approximately two experiments of exercise/explorations that lead to a final unit studio project. There will be either an exam or an oral presentation at the close of each unit. In addition, there will be one written research paper or video presentation each semester.

        Studio projects will receive grades based on the following criteria:
                Process (40%)
                        1. Evidence of the new technique
                        2. Effort
                Product (40%)
                        1. Technical: is it unified, balanced, having a point of emphasis?
                        2. Does it meet the assignment?
                Portfolio/Presentation (20%)
                        1. Historic/cultural concept is reflected
                        2. Process is clearly articulated
                        3. Presentation skills are evident

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