This document provides the syllabus for an Art Appreciation 1010 course at Tennessee State University. It outlines the course details including instructor information, required materials, course description and objectives, assignments and assessments, policies, and grading criteria. The main assignments include two art criticism papers, three tests, bi-weekly quizzes and in-class assignments, a group presentation at the end of the semester, and maintaining an art appreciation blog. The course aims to help students identify and analyze different artistic styles, periods and media, and demonstrate an understanding of art through written analysis and discussion.

1. TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Liberal
Arts
Department of Art
Art Appreciation 1010
Semester: Spring, Year: 2018
Instructors Name:Samuel L. Dunson Jr.
Credit Hours: 3 Credit Hour Course
Class Location: Rm. 002 Elliot Hall
Office Location: Womens Bldg. Rm. 103a
Office Telephone: ext. 963-2083
Office Hours: MW: 9-11 T: 12:45- 3:00
E-mail Address: sdunson@tnstate.edu
dunson7547@gmail.com
Required Materials: A World of Art, 8th ed.:

2. A World of Art 8th Edition
Henry M Sayre
The textbook is part of the book bundle for gen-ed electives. If
you have signed up for Art Appreciation, a book fee has been
added to your tuition so that you will not incur any further costs
for the textbook.

3. Art Appreciation (no prerequisite) is a course for all students interested in understanding the visual arts in everyday experiences. The course
surveys the visual arts, including fundamental and historical works based in Western theory. Emphasis is on the relationship of design
principles to various art forms including but not limited to sculpture, painting, and architecture. This course may be used towards
satisfying the University’s humanities requirement. Upon completion, students should be able to identify and analyze a variety of artistic styles,
periods, and media
This course will concentrate on the visual arts by exploring why certain art works are historically important, learning to evaluate art by
using art criticism and aesthetics, and the appreciation of various media, artists and styles represented through Western and multicultural
traditions. All individuals should understand why people are motivated to produce certain forms of expression and communication as
opposed to others. An understanding of the meaning behind basic forms of art can lead to a better understanding of humanity. An overview, of
certain changes and trends in art will be presented, so that the student can better understand the art of his/her culture and society. It is intended
that students will learn to communicate in both written and oral form (class participation in discussions of art): that which constitutes
art; the many functions of art; artists and their work; as well as elements and principles of art and design. The class will involve viewing
art in various contexts in order to develop a better understanding and enjoyment of the visual experience.
Course Description
Rationale and Course Objective
Basic Skills and Objectives
After successfully completing all course requirements, students should be able to:
1. Identify characteristics found in the various visual art forms of major periods or art styles.
2. Identify the main characteristics found in a work art from painting, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, etc.
3. Demonstrate, through the use of testing and written critical analysis, an understanding of the expressive content of a work of art.
4. Understand use of technology, environmental issues, and multicultural issues pertaining to art.
5. Speak and react cognitively about the impact of the society and culture of the artist and vice versa.
6. Separate one’s personal opinions and assumptions from those of others based upon your knowledge of fine art.

4. Requirements and Course Overview
1. Students are required to read assigned text in order to prepared for discussions pertaining to art concepts.
2. Two art criticism papers (20% of your final grade) of at least one page are due based on two separate works of art. You, the student,
will review the artwork and write a critical analysis based on your knowledge visual terminology. Critiques may be written upon viewing of
2D (art created on a flat surface), and/ or 3D (pieces of art encompassing depth) works of art. At least one critique must be written after
visiting an off campus exhibition space, gallery, or museum. ALL critiques must be type written upon viewing actual, original works of art,
and are required to be posted as a blog. The proceeding dates are an approximation.
Critique #1 Will Be Due Feb. 21, 2018
Critique #2 Will Be Due April 3, 2018
3. There will be three tests (20% of your final grade). These tests will include multiple choice, slide recognition, fill in the blank and essay
questions depending on the reading assignments, and in class discussion. At the end of the semester, the lowest test score will be dropped
from the grade book.
Test #1 Will be taken on Feb 19, 2018
Test #2 Will be taken on April 4, 2018
Test #3 Will be taken on the Date Assigned for Final Exams
4. There will be approximately 6-8 bi-weekly quizzes, and in class assignments(25 pts. each and 10% of your final grade) given during the
semester. These quizzes will be introduced to cover the historical aspects of art, and to put the student in the shoes of the artist. The
quizzes will be taken online through E-Learn unless stated otherwise. The in class assignments will be offered during class time. The dates
will be scheduled on a regular basis and will also be contingent upon their need. There will be no make-up quizzes. If a student produces a valid
excuse for the missed class he/she will be allowed to make up the missed points on a separate assignment.
5. There will be one Group Presentation given (30% of your final grade) at the end of the semester which is based upon your comprehensive
knowledge of the art and art terms studied throughout the semester. The presentation will also require the student to be creative within the
use of certain Social media sites. The Presentations will be scheduled for the last two days of class.
6. Each student will be required to keep an Art Appreciation Blog via Blogger.com. The critiques, Group Presentation and Presentation
journal are to be uploaded onto the blog site. There will be a two small assignments scheduled at the beginning of the semester.

5. 2D 3D
Any work of Art created on a plane
(flat space) is considered
2 Dimensional (H x W)
While any work of art that is created in
a volume of space is considered
3 Dimensional (H x W x D)

6. Viewing, then
critiquing a work of
art from your phone
is unacceptable.
Your screen cannot
approximate the
size, texture, color
and scope of the
artwork it is
presenting.

7. Classroom Policy
7. Late papers will only be accepted with a written excuse, to be handed in the next class period. Up to30 points will be deducted,
based upon a daily 10pt deduction after one full week. No critiques or class assignments will be accepted past one week from the due
date.
8. Be mindful that this is an art class, and there may be language, content and images that may be controversial. Controversial
language, content and/or images will not be presented in order to shock or to simply be controversial, but will be introduced within the
context of the class structure and/or discussions.
1.Class participation is vital to the students preparation for test and written assignments, and in some instances may affect grading.
Participation does not simply involve attendance but inclusion in lectures and/or discussions.
2. Students are expected to attend all class sessions. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class. During the first three weeks of
class, excessive absences will be reported as an “X” grade to the Office of Admissions and Records as described in the TSU catalog.
3. Students who do not perform according to pre-set standards of the course, identified by their performance on either diagnostic or
achievement tests given during the first two weeks--are required to attend academic support programs indicated by the results of the
diagnostic assignment or the achievement tests and to demonstrate proficiency in the indicated skills.
4. Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or
indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible
disciplinary actions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has
the authority to assign a “0” for the grade of an assignment and in some cases may result in an “F” for the course.
Plagiarize: to use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas
http://www.plagiarism.org/

8. Classroom Integrity
1. During class time, all cell phones must be set to vibrate. If the student is expecting an emergency call during the class period he/she
should turn the cell phone to vibrate and inform the instructor before class that they must leave. Texting during class is considered the same
as answering a phone call during class. Either of these is a distraction and will be recorded as a detriment to your grade.
2. Eating food is prohibited during class with the exception of gum and hard candy.
3. Talking while anyone else has the floor is a major distraction, so be respectful of those around you.
4. Reading, writing or studying material not pertaining to the Art Appreciation course is prohibited.
5. The use of you telephone as an music or entertainment device is prohibited during class. Once class begins, phones need to be put away
unless they are used for a specific assignment. Class begins at 11:10 and roll will be taken no later than 11:15
6. Be aware that exiting the class room during the class is a distraction, so please exit as inconspicuously as possible. Exiting the class room
for the duration of the class will result in an absence unless the student informs the instructor ahead of time.
7. Arguments or confrontations between the student and instructor or between the student and another student are detrimental to the
classroom environment. If a discussion turns into a confrontation, the students will be asked to leave the class room or discuss the matter
during a scheduled meeting with the instructor.
8. Make it a practice of doing what is asked of you exceedingly well so that your midterm/final grade will not become an issue. Your
instructors are here to educate as opposed to giving grades.
9. Please do not enter the class room under the influence of any drug, legal or illegal that may affect the class negatively.
10. Lastly, this is a place of higher learning. Please leave class clown antics outside, as your actions will usually result in a lower grade.

9. In order to achieve the grade that you wish to have, each student must prepare themselves for tests, critiques and quizzes on the outside of
class. The class room lectures are set to reinforce the knowledge that you will gain from your study by class participation and note taking
during class. Please understand that your grade is directly affected by your class attendance or lack thereof.
Tardies
Attendance will be taken no later than 2:25 unless stated otherwise. If you enter the room during attendance you will be counted as present and
on time. Anyone entering the room after attendance will be reported as tardy. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the professor
that he is present if he has entered the room after roll has been called. Three tardies will equal one absence.
Absentees
Due to attendance problems in many art lecture courses, an absentee policy has been implemented in the Art Appreciation class. A student's
grade will not be altered or affected by 1-4 unexcused absences. Upon the fifth absence, a student’s grade will be lowered by one letter grade.
10 absences will result in an automatic failing of the course (10 absences constitutes 40% of the semester meetings) . If a student has a valid
reason for missing 10 or more classes, it is acceptable to ask for an “I” in the course. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the
professor that he is present if he has entered the room after roll has been called.
Late Assignments
Only in special cases, will late assignments be accepted. If the student has suffered some circumstance that is beyond their power on a due
date, and the assignment is late as a result, the student must show proof of the circumstance in order for the assignment to be accepted.
Attendance Policy

10. Criteria for Evaluation
A student completing the course will be assigned a grade earned according to the ranges shown. There may be
assignments subtracted from or added to the overall bank of assignments. If this occurs it will affect the grading range
accordingly.
GRADING RANGE Grading points are tallied from the culmination of :
A 90%– 100% Tests (1,2 and 3) 20%
B 80% – 89% Quizzes and class assignments 10%
C 70% – 79% Critiques 20%
D 60% – 69% Group presentation 30%
F 0 - 59% Attendance 20%
*Classroom Integrity 25pts
* Classroom integrity is loosely based upon attendance, class participation, willingness to achieve and overall class
performance.

11. TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Blog Assignment #1
Create a blog entry which will include
1. A name: either your name or a name that you will use as an art blogger
2. An explanation as to what the blog will consist of (Art Appreciation based)
3. A short bio of your artistic likes and dislikes
4. No less than four examples of visual art that you like, dislike, respect, live by etc. which
connects to your short art bio