FA 0015 History of Western Art 1: Ancient-Medieval (Fall 2007)

FA 0015 History of Western Art 1: Ancient to Medieval

University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

248 Biddle Hall

Section A: T-TH 9:30-10:50 a.m.

Section B: T-TH 12:30-1:50 p.m.

Fall 2007

Dr. Valerie S. Grash, Associate Professor of Fine Arts

Office: 230B Biddle Hall      

Phone: 269-7164       

Email: vgrash@pitt.edu

Office Hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and by appointment.

This course is a penetrating inquiry into the major accomplishments of Western art (architecture, sculpture, painting and the minor arts) from prehistory to the fourteenth century. The sterile museum environment in which we find it today most often shapes our perception of art, and past architecture is frequently viewed merely as romantic ruins. However, both art and architecture were intimately integrated into every facet of the ancient and medieval person’s world, actively part of and used in daily life. With that in mind, we will contextually examine the great works of antiquity (including Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome) through the emergence of Christianity and the art and architecture of the European Middle Ages. Religious and philosophical beliefs, historical events, geological and astronomical phenomenon…all will be addressed in order to better understand the context in which ancient and medieval art was created.

At the conclusion of this course, you will:

1.      Recognize important works of art and architecture from ancient and medieval history.

2.      Have a basic understanding of each culture and period that we examine.

3.      Understand the various techniques used to create art and build architecture.

4.      Be able to appreciate the long-lasting impact of ancient and medieval art and architecture upon western civilization, including our own time period and culture.

Fred S. Kleiner and Christin J. Mamiya, Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Concise History (Thomson-Wadsworth, 2005) ISBN: 0-534-63640-3

Additional textual and visual materials for this course (including terms and lists of works you will be tested on and PowerPoint presentations of class lectures); additional required readings; your grades; and pertinent announcements concerning class meetings and examinations are found at:  http://courseweb.pitt.edu

I reserve the right to modify the timing, order and content of the course schedule. It is your responsibility to attend class and be aware of any changes. Check with the course web site regarding any class cancellations should they become necessary due to adverse weather conditions or other situations.

Faculty Statement:

My role is to facilitate learning through lecture and clarification of specific points through questioning and discussion, whether in the classroom, during office hours or via electronic correspondence. It is your responsibility to attend class, take accurate notes and approach me with any questions and issues for clarification in a timely manner.

Attendance:

While there is no attendance policy for this course, be forewarned that most of what you will be tested on is discussed thoroughly in class. Even with the textbook, nothing replaces viewing the images projected on screen. Therefore, regular attendance is necessary to succeed in this course. In addition, as classroom discussion is expected, poor attendance will adversely affect you if it comes down to a borderline decision on your final grade.

Notes and Note Taking:

Under no circumstances do I provide notes for missed classes. It is your responsibility, if you miss a class, to acquire the lecture notes from a classmate. Class assignments and announcements are available on the course website. You may tape-record lectures as long as you inform the instructor in advance, and do not disturb others in the class.

Makeup Exams:

I give make-up exams only in cases with legitimate, documented reasons (death in the family, personal hospitalization, required fieldtrips, etc.). In such cases, inform me in advance and provide written confirmation of your absence. For serious issues, you must contact Dr. Jon Gonder’s office (269-2076, or gonder@pitt.edu) as soon as possible, and he will notify all your professors of your situation. The make-up exam must be taken within one week of the scheduled test; only one makeup exam per student will be permitted. No one can make-up the final exam, which must be taken at the scheduled time.

Late Assignments:

No extensions are granted for class assignments. Due dates are clearly noted on the syllabus at the beginning  of the semester. You should begin each assignment in a timely manner and even complete assignments early. Illness or any other excuse has no bearing on the fact that your work was not turned in on time. Any assignment not turned in by the due date will not be graded, thus earning 0 points for the work. No exceptions are permitted so do not ask!

Academic Integrity:

Please read carefully the Academic Integrity Guidelines in your student handbook. They will be followed to the letter in this course. There is ZERO tolerance for cheating or plagiarism. Any time that you use another person’s words or thoughts as your own without giving them proper credit is plagiarism. Any instance of cheating or plagiarism will result in an automatic "F" (0 points) for that assignment, and steps will be taken, according to the Academic Integrity Guidelines, to receive an "F" for the course and for action leading to expulsion from the university. I will not permit re-writing any suspected plagiarized assignment.

Disabilities: