5/14/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today was the last class meeting of the semester. I collected the second part of the take home final, returned the first half, and discussed both. I also returned the graded second half journals. (those not picked up were left on the cart at the back of the room) Extra credit assignments were also returned today.

I'll be grading the second part of the final and calculating final class grades in the next few days, and the final grades will be posted by Wednesday, May 19th. After that, if anyone really wants to know the specific grade they got on the final, they may e-mail me.

Enjoy the summer.

5/13/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was the final meeting of the class for the semester. We started with a critique of all the Final Projects. After that students left while I graded those, the semester portfolios, and any older work still owed by the students. Most came back to pick up their work and learn the grades for the graded items. Those who didn't can find their work on our class shelf, the top of the stack of shelves closest to the door, with my name and 2D on it.

Final class grades will be posted to the school early next week and be available on the web shortly after that.

Enjoy your summer.

5/11/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today the class filled out the course evaluation form. After that I collected Part 1 of the take home final and a few late journals. Today's lecture was a brief overview of the art and architecture of the Ancient Americas and sub-Saharan Africa. At the end of class I distributed the graded Independent Research Assignments and copies of Part 2 of the take home final.

Important Concepts:

*Without connection to the peoples of the Old World, the ancient peoples of North, Central, and South America independently developed monumental architecture, mathematics, agriculture, and metallurgy, along with unique styles of art.

*Despite few remaining artifacts, there is history and some evidence to show the existence of a number of artistically advanced civilizations in ancient sub-Saharan Africa.

Homework- Part 2 of the take home final is due at the beginning of class on Friday, May 14, 2010. The test is posted on the Ocean Cruiser page for this class, just under the link leading to this blog.

Those who have not yet turned in work owed for this class should bring it Friday to receive partial credit on it.

For next class 5/14/10- The last day of class. I'll be returning the journals, and the 1st part of the take home exam and reviewing it. I'll be collecting part 2 of the take home final. Be on time. Class will be short and I will not be accepting any work in any format once I leave the classroom.

5/7/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I collected the current art events journals for the 2nd half of the semester, as well as extra credit assignments from those who turned them in. (no extra credit assignments will be accepted from this point on) I also distributed hard copies of the first part of the take home final to students who requested one. After that was the lecture, covering the art related history of Japan before 1392. As a bonus, I showed some slides of Japanese woodcuts (18th and 19th century), which served as an introduction to the medium of printmaking, including a few current printmakers I know.

Important concepts:

*The many influences of China and Korea on Japanese culture.

*Japanese art maintains unique characteristics despite those influences.

Homework- The 1st part of the take-home exam/written assessment, distributed this past week, is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. To get credit for this part of the exam, it must be turned in on time.

For next class 5/11/10- We will cover the last two chapters from Book 3 (Art of Americas before 1300/Art of Ancient Africa). Bring a notebook and the text. I will also distribute the 2nd part of the take home final exam (non-Western Art) and return all the written assignments currently in my possession.

5/6/10 2D Design

Today's Class- Tonight was opened by critiquing the mixed media collage projects. Then the students filled out class evaluations. After that it was a general work night. Most students worked on their Final Projects, while others worked on back unfinished projects.

Homework- The 3D Final (Pop-Up Books) is due at the beginning of class next week May 13, 2010. Students who still owe such graded projects as the Color Temperature (Season) collage, the Limited Palettes, or the Mixed Media collage should bring them to class next week to receive partial credit.

If you have any notes documenting excuses for missing classes, make sure you have them. Nothing will be accepted after that night.

For Next Class 5/13/10- Our last meeting of the semester and the final grading night. I'll grade the Final Projects, any back projects, and the Semester Portfolio (otherwise ungraded work, such as the shoes, charcoal drawing- see the list posted 4/29/10). Be on time- the sooner we start, the sooner we finish, and I won't be waiting around until 10 pm for stragglers.

5/4/10 Art History I

Today's Class- Today I explained the plans for the rest of the semester concerning the take home Final Exams and other components of the final class grade (extra credit, journal articles). In art, we continued our study of the art of Ancient India, then continued on to cover Ancient China.

Important Concepts:

*The evolution of images of Buddha through the history of India, Southeast Asia, and China.

*The similarities and differences between Buddhist and Hindu art in India.

*The philosophical and religious ideals behind Chinese landscape painting of the Song Dynasty.

Homework- The current art events journals, with both articles and your write-ups, are due on Friday, May 7, 2010. I am collecting those that weren't graded as part of the first collection on March 9th. The articles for this second collection should correspond to these dates:

March 16

March 23

April 6

April 13

April 20

April 27

May 4

Extra Credit Update- To get credit for any extra credit assignments, you must turn in the written portion by Friday, May 7, 2010.

********Final Exam*********

The Final Exam will be in the form of a two part take home open book exam. The first part is the cumulative portion, a choice of essays that address concepts over the history of Western Art. This has been posted on the class OceanCruiser page. (log into OceanCruiser, click on this Art History class in your list of classes, and it will be there right on the main Class Update page, right under the link to this blog) I will distribute a hard copy of these instructions on Friday, but the full details of the assignment are there should people want to start sooner. It is due on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

The second part of the Final Exam will be short answer essays covering Non-Western Art (Book 3). That will be distributed next Tuesday and due on Friday, May 14, 2010.

For next class 5/7/10- Journals and any extra credit are due. Bring a notebook and Book 3 (A View of the World) as we look at the art of Ancient Japan.