GREEK & ROMAN ART (ART 415)

I Title: Art 415 Greek and Roman Art

II. Catalog Description: History of the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome through the late Empire.

III. Purpose: To provide the student with a knowledge of the major works of art of the Ancient Mediterranean culture, from the Cycladic age to the Late Roman Empire.

IV. Course Objective: To help the student understand the historical and cultural context in which the works of art were created.  Some issues to be considered include the reflection in art of burial customs; worship of nature and gods; philosophical inquiry into the nature of beauty; attitudes of an imperial system of government.  To provide the student with the    opportunity to research an aspect of this art, allowing him or her to understand the historical discourse surrounding the art of this period.

V. Course Content:
      Ancient Art: Cycladic, Minoan, Mycenaean
      Greek Art: Early Greek, Classical Greek, Hellenistic Greek
      Roman Art: Etruscan, Republic and Early Imperial, Late Imperial

VI. Instructional Activities: Lectures with slides; student discussion

VII. Field and Clinical Experience: Trip to Nashville

VIII. Resources: Slides, photocopied handouts, library

IX. Grading Procedures:
          3 Exams @ 150 pts. each    =              450 pts
          Visual project (incl. written portion)      250 pts.
               (Execution            = 100 pts.)
               (Conceptual ideas  = 150 pts.)
           Research Essay               =                300 pts.
                (Thesis & Biblio         = 25 pts.)
                (Thesis+Outline+Bib.  = 25 pts.)
                (Formal issues           =  50 pts )
               (Essay & Rewrite      = 200 pts)
         Participation                                          50
          Total                                             1000 pts. (NB: additional  pts. for extra credit are
                                                                                 available for unusually active participation)

1) Exams: short "factually" oriented based on readings, presentations, discussions, lectures
 Generally, the exams will consist of short slide identification (short essays), short "compare/contrast" essays, and "unknowns" (previously not discussed slides used as a springboard for a discussion of important issues related to the style etc.)
2) Visual project: students will be asked to create an actual work of art during the semester (any media) which would reflect their understanding of the key "baroque" issues related to the studied material. This is NOT intended as a copy of old masters, rather, it should be a proof of students' internalization of the discussed issues.
Furthermore, the student will keep a journal of their creative thought process and accompany the final product by typed, 2-3pages account of explaining their reasons behind the work, influences, issues addressed etc.  The works and the accompanying explanations will be displayed, after final class "critique" as a class project in the gallery. (further detail will be discussed in class)
3) Research essay: Each student will select a topic.  Well researched, argued, and written research essays 6-8 pages in length. Details about specific requirements and style will be provided in class at a later date. The final grade will based on several steps (thesis, bibliography, outline etc.) which will be graded incrementally (see the grading policy above).
4) Participation: active, regular, and constructive participation in the discussions based
on  readings, research, presentations, and lectures are crucial to the active learning of each individual as well as of the group and will be monitored.  (But for the "mortally shy," you can participate in writing by turning in a sheet of written questions and/or constructive comments pertaining to the issues addressed in the class/lecture of that day.)

X. Attendance Policy: Attendance is required. Three (3) total absences are allowed with or withoutdocumentation. Subsequent absences (except in documented cases of long term hospitalization,
 imprisonment, etc.) will result in lowering of the final grade by a letter grade per absence. Six (6) or more absences will result in an automatic "E" grade.

XI.  Academic Honesty Policy: Any instance of flagrant academic dishonesty (for example plagiarism), as determined by the instructor of this course in compliance with the university policy,
will result in the student's dismissal from the class and the assignment of a grade of "E" for the course. Flagrant should be understood to mean the "knowing" violation of any aspect of the University's Policy on Academic Integrity.

XII.  Text and References: John Boardman, Greek Art, (World of Art Series), 4th ed, 1996, and
                                        Mortimer Wheeler, Roman Art & Architecture, (World of Art Series), reprint, 1985
additional sources will be placed on reserve in the library.

XIII.  Prerequisite: Art 215

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   Art 415 Topics Outline  (the information may change at the discretion of the instructor)
        Class     Date     Topic    Reading