The assignment involves participating in a unit discussion board where students must post an original response and reply to at least two peers. Students will compare a Greek and a Roman work of art, addressing various artistic criteria and contextual significance. This interaction is essential for tracking attendance and fostering dialogue about course content.

1. Assignment Name:
Unit 2 Discussion Board
Deliverable Length:
150-500 words (not including references) 2 Peer Responses
Details:
The Discussion Board (DB) is part of the core of online
learning. Classroom discussion in an online environment
requires the active participation of students and the instructor to
create robust interaction and dialogue. Every student is
expected to create an original response to the open-ended DB
question as well as engage in dialogue by responding to posts
created by others throughout the week. At the end of each unit,
DB participation will be assessed based on both level of
engagement and the quality of the contribution to the
discussion.
At a minimum, each student will be expected to post an original
and thoughtful response to the DB question and contribute to
the weekly dialogue by responding to at least two other posts
from students. The first contribution must be posted before
midnight (Central Time) on Wednesday of each week. Two
additional responses are required after Wednesday of each
week. Students are highly encouraged to engage on the
Discussion Board early and often, as that is the primary way the
university tracks class attendance and participation.
The purpose of the Discussion Board is to allow students to
learn through sharing ideas and experiences as they relate to
course content and the DB question. Because it is not possible
to engage in two-way dialogue after a conversation has ended,
no posts to the DB will be accepted after the end of each unit.
A. Questions for weekly discussions and conversations (not part
of the required Discussion Board assignment)
These questions can serve as the starting point for your
discussions during the week. They are “thought starters,” so that
you can explore some ideas associated with the discussion board
and unit topics. Answers are not required, and should not be

2. submitted with your required assignment. Answers are not
graded.
1. What images do we use today that originated from creations
by early civilizations for religious ceremonies?
2. What historical art images do we use today, from creations by
early civilizations, for cultural celebrations?
B. Required Discussion Board assignment.
From the list below, choose one Greek work of art and one
Roman work of art and
compare and contrast
them according to the criteria listed:
Greek Art
Roman Art
The
Doryphoros
(Polykleitos, 450 BCE)
Augustus of Primaporta
(c. 20 BCE)
The Laocoon Group
(1
st
Century, CE)
Marcus Agrippa with Imperial Family
(South frieze from the Ara Pacis, 13-9 CE)
Nike of Samothrace
(c. 190 BCE)
She-Wolf
(c. 500 BCE)

3. The Temple of Athena
(427–424 BCE)
The Colosseum
(72–80 CE)
The Parthenon
(447–438 BCE)
The Arch of Constantine
(313 CE)
Answer the following list of questions in a comparative essay to
evaluate your choices. Be sure to introduce the works you
have chosen.
What is the FORM of the work?
Is it a two-dimensional or three-dimensional work of art?
What materials are used?
What techniques or processes are used to create the artwork?
What colors are used?
Describe the use of line, shape, texture, value, color, and
balance.
Does the work of art have SUBJECT MATTER?
If so, what is literally depicted?
Is the work of art REPRESENTATIONAL, ABSTRACT, or
NONOBJECTIVE?
What is the CONTENT?
What does it mean or represent?
What is the artist's message?
Is symbolism used? If so, what is the meaning?
What is the context of the artwork?
What is the function of the artwork?
What is the religious, philosophical and/or historical
significance?
What traditional role of the artist is exemplified?
See the unit Resources List for Web sites that can help you

4. write an effective compare/contrast essay.
Peer Responses can elaborate on the following topics:
Look at the images that your peer has selected. Discuss the
meaning of the work: Do you think he or she interpreted the
artist’s message well? What do you think the artist trying to
say?
Look at other works of art by the same artist. Which artwork do
you like best and why?
Describe the use of line, shape, texture, value, color, and
balance.
What does it mean or represent?
In your own words, please post a response to the Discussion
Board and comment on other postings. You will be graded on
the quality of your postings.
For assistance with your assignment, please use your text, Web
resources, and all course materials. Please refer to the
following multimedia course material(s):
Unit 1: Ancient Greece
Unit 1: Greece and Democracy
Unit 1: The Roman Legacy
Unit 1: Roman Republic
Unit 1: Greek and Roman Cultures