Description:

This interdisciplinary study begins with a look at artistic and technical elements of several art forms, including painting, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, film, dance and literature. Major themes expressed in the works and their reflection of the values of their culture are also examined. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define and identify artistic elements of selected visual, performing and literary arts.
2. Discuss the relationship between the subject matter, the formal elements and the meaning of artistic works.
3. Identify the human values exemplified by works from various times and cultures.
4. Explore the role of these works in influencing or reflecting the state of a given society.
5. Describe what the arts have in common.
6. Identify the uniqueness of each of the arts studied.
7. Analyze, through critical writing and oral expression, specific works of art.
8. Explore the variety of human aesthetic expression.
9. Develop a background for continued exploration of the arts.
10. Increase one’s own aesthetic awareness.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Aesthetics and Values
   A. Define the terms “arts” and “humanities.”
   B. Identify key functions of the arts such as enjoyment, political and
social commentary, therapy and cultural artifact.
   C. Discuss the appearance of the arts in everyday life.

II. Visual Arts
   A. Two-dimensional works.
      1. Identify the materials employed in painting, drawing, photography
and printmaking.
      2. Describe the methods used to produce these works.
      3. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of art analysis including
color, line, form, texture, the illusion of mass, repetition, balance,
unity, focus, and perspective.
      4. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   B. Three-dimensional works.
      1. Identify and describe the materials and processes used in
creating various forms of sculpture.
      2. Describe the role of environment and lighting in successful
installation of sculptural works.
      3. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of sculptural analysis
including full round, relief, linear, mass, line, form, color, texture and
size.
      4. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   C. Architectural works.
      1. Describe the importance of client and site to the design of
buildings.
      2. List technical considerations in the design of buildings.
      3. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of architecture including
line, repetition, balance, decoration, post and lintel, arch and
cantilever.
      4. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.

III. Performing Arts
   A. Music
      1. Identify and describe the major genre of classical instrumental
music.
      2. Identify and describe the major genre of classical vocal music.
      3. Identify and describe other forms of music including jazz, pop
and folk.
      4. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of musical analysis
including pitch, melody, theme, motif, beat, rhythm, tempo, syncopation
and dynamics.
      5. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   B. Theatre
      1. Identify and describe the majors genres of theatre including
tragedy, comedy, tragi-comedy and the musical.
      2. Discuss the interrelationship of visual and spoken images in
theatre.
      3. Identify various types of stages and discuss their role in
mediating between actor and audience.
      4. Describe the roles of the following in theatrical production: 
actor, director and designers.
      5. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of theatrical analysis
including script, plot, character, scene design, costume design, lighting
design, sound design and other special effects.
      6. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   C. Film
      1. Describe the technical aspects of filmmaking.
      2. Explain the roles of director and editor in reaching the final
product.
      3. Discuss the interrelationship of visual image, dialogue and sound
in film.
      4. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of film analysis
including the shot, dissolves, montages, camera angle, focus and parallel
editing.
      5. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   D. Dance
      1. Identify and describe various forms of dance.
      2. Explain the role of formalized movement in ballet and modern
dance.
      3. Discuss the interrelationship of movement, music, costume and set
and light design.
      4. Discuss ethnic influences on dance.
      5. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of dance analysis
including plie, arabesque, choreography, en pointe and mime.
      6. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.

IV. Literature
   A. Identify and define the major genres of literature:  novel, short
story, drama, poetry, essay and biography.
   B. Fiction.
      1. Define and give examples of fiction writing.
      2. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of literary analysis
including character, plot, setting, point of view and diction.
      3. Discuss the meaning of selected works in relation to their
contemporaneous audience and to one’s own culture and period.
   C. Poetry.
      1. Define and give examples of poetry.
      2. Explain the differences between narrative, dramatic and lyric
poetry.
      3. Define and use correctly the vocabulary of poetry analysis
including rhythm, meter, imagery, metaphoric language, symbols, rhyme,
line, stanza, alliteration and assonance.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

Four tests which stress analytical and evaluative approaches to course
content.

A visual arts project and a performing arts project or papers descriptive
of experiences in these areas.

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.