This document provides instructions for a readings response essay discussion board post due on September 30, 2016. Students are to choose one of three assigned readings on art and human values and write a 500 word essay addressing key points and questions. The readings cover the nature of art, art as human behavior and its role in cultural development, and the relationship between art and culture. Students are asked to discuss the authors' views as they relate to their own experiences with various art forms and cultural background.

1. Week 1 - Readings Response Essay - Discussion
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Art & Human Values
Readings Response Essay (5 Points)
Discussion Board: Due Friday September 30, 2016
Choose from
one of the 3 readings
below from this week.
Write an essay of at least 500 words
addressing the points and questions from the readings,
" The Nature of Art"
by Stephanie Arnold,
“Art as a Human Behavior: Toward an Ethological View of Art"
by Ellen Dissanayake and
“Exploring the Relationships Between Art and Culture”
by McFee and Degge. Be certain to address points made by the
authors particularly as they pertain to your personal experience
with various art forms.
Post your essay in Discussions under:
"
Week 1 - Readings Response Essay"
1)
From the reading,
The nature of Art
by Stephanie Arnold, address the variety of art forms and what
the author says about how the arts are "central to
life".
a - How do you see these points of discussion

2. reflected in your own life?
b - What does the author say is the difficulty of
defining art?
c - How do you respond from your personal
experience to Susanne Langer's statement: "Art is
the creation of forms symbolic or expressive of
human feeling."
d - How do you view art in your environment that
"... deals more directly with humanity's relations
with itself, the interactions between human
beings."? Give some examples from your personal
experience and perspective...
2)
Explore the points made by Ellen Dissanayake in (
“Art as a Human Behavior").
Discuss her view of art's role in human cultural development.
a - Describe specific points made by Dissanayake and
share from your perspective and cultural
background if you agree or disagree with the author.
Tell us Why?
b - Choose points made by the author that have
significance to you.
c - Some examples of points you may choose to address
are as follows: “Art, ...as a universal need
and propensity of the human species”, “Art as a
behavior of making special”, and “ The species-
centered view of art.”
3)
What points do McFee and Degge make with regard to the role
of art in culture?
a - Describe specific points made by McFee, Degge, and
share from your perspective and cultural
background if you agree or disagree with the authors.
Tell us Why?

3. b - Choose points made by the authors that have
significance to you. Some examples of points you
may choose to address are as follows: “Art as
Communication”, “Defining and Evaluating
Art”, “Understanding Culture” and “Learning
Culture”, “Visual Communication and Predictability?
And Art as Enhancement”, and/or “Making Culturally
Relevant Art Judgments.”