Description:

This course will acquaint students with the arts and ideas of the world's major civilizations, from the Renaissance to the present. The approach will be both interdisciplinary and chronological, covering the artistic values embodied in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, theater, music and dance as they have emerged out of their historical contexts. In addition to providing the fundamental principles, methodologies and theories used in the study of the humanities, the course aims to enhance students' understanding of the contemporary world. 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. Identify and describe the artistic techniques and historical importance of selected works of art within their various cultural milieux.
2. Recognize and knowledgeably discuss the cultural values (e.g., social, political, religious) that are reflected in these works.
3. Describe and compare in writing (250 words or more) the cultural values of selected Western and non-Western civilizations as revealed through their visual and literary arts.
4. Analyze in a 300-word or longer critical essay the elements, composition, historical milieux and cultural values of a selected work of art.
5. Apply the methodologies and principles of historical and genre criticism for studying the humanities.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to Course
   A. Describe the cultural role of the Artist and the Artform.
   B. Discuss the relationship between Form and Content in art.
   C. Identify the various genres of art and their fundamental
characteristics.

II. Italy: The Renaissance
   A. Describe the cultural conditions that led to the Renaissance in
Italy.
   B. Define what is meant by “the humanist spirit.”
   C. Identify examples of painting, sculpture, literature and music of
the early and late Renaissance in Italy.
   D. Describe the difference between Florentine and Venetian painting
styles.
   E. Describe the characteristics of Mannerism.
   F. Identify examples of Mannerist painting, sculpture and
architecture.

III. Northern Europe: Renaissance and Reformation
   A. Describe the cultural conditions that led to the Renaissance in
Northern Europe.
   B. Compare and contrast “the humanist spirit” in the North (i.e., the
Netherlands) with that of the South (i.e., Italy).
   C. Identify examples of painting, printmaking and literature of the
Northern Renaissance.
   D. Describe the cultural conditions that led to the Protestant
Reformation in Northern Europe.
   E. Describe the characteristics of Protestantism and its effect on
Europe both within and without the church.
   F. Describe Protestantism’s influences upon the arts in Europe.

IV. The Age of the Baroque
   A. Describe the cultural conditions that led to the advent of Baroque
style in Italy.
   B. Describe the characteristics of Baroque style in Italy.
   C. Identify examples of painting, sculpture and architecture that
reflect the Italian Baroque.
   D. Describe the characteristics of Baroque style outside of Italy.
   E. Identify examples of painting, architecture, music and literature
that reflect the Baroque style outside of Italy.

V. The Eighteenth Century Enlightenment
   A. Define what is meant by “the Eighteenth Century Enlightenment.”
   B. Identify the major eighteenth century advances in science and
technology.
   C. Describe the characteristics of Rococo style.
   D. Identify examples of Rococo painting, sculpture and architecture.
   E. Describe the Enlightenment’s effects upon political theory.
   F. Describe the basic causes and effects of the French Revolution.
   G. Define what is meant by “Neoclassicism.”
   H. Describe the characteristics of Neoclassical style.
   I. Identify examples of Neoclassical painting, sculpture, architecture
and music.

VI. Romanticism and the Arts
   A. Describe the characteristics of Romanticism.
   B. Define what is meant by the concept of “the Romantic Hero.”
   C. Identify examples of painting, sculpture, music and literature that
reflect Romantic style.

VII. Realism and the Arts
   A. Describe the characteristics of Realism.
   B. Describe Realism’s effects upon political theory.
   C. Identify examples of painting and literature that reflect the
Realist style.
   E. Describe the development and cultural impact of photography.

VIII. The Modernist Turn: Impressionism, Symbolism and the Avant Garde
   A. Describe the characteristics of Impressionism.
   B. Identify examples of painting, literature and music that reflect the
Impressionist style.
   C. Identify artistic trends, and examples thereof, that reflect
Post-Impressionist styles.
   D. Describe the psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud and its impact
on the arts.
   E. Define what is meant by “Avant Garde” in the arts.
   F. Identify artistic trends, and examples thereof, that reflect Avant
Garde style in painting, sculpture and music.

IX. Chinese Civilization
   A. Identify the major dynasties of Chinese culture, and the cultural
characteristics thereof, since the thirteenth century.
   B. Describe the cultural assumptions and values that are expressed in
Chinese painting, architecture, literature and theatre since the
thirteenth century.
   C. Identify examples of Chinese painting, architecture, literature and
theatre since the thirteenth century.

X. Japanese Civilization
   A. Describe the cultural assumptions and values that are expressed in
Japanese painting, architecture, literature and theatre since the
fifteenth century.
   B. Identify examples of Japanese painting, printmaking, architecture,
literature and theatre since the fifteenth century.

XI. Russian Civilization
   A. Identify examples of religious iconography of pre-Revolutionary
Russia.
   B. Identify examples of architecture, literature, music and theatre of
pre-Revolutionary Russia.
   C. Describe the cultural causes and effects of the Russian Revolution
in 1917.
   D. Identify characteristics and examples of “the Art of the
Revolution.”
   E. Identify characteristics and examples of “the Art of Dissent.”

XII. Early to Mid-Twentieth Century: War, Alienation and Anxiety
   A. Describe the basic causes and effects of the First World War.
   B. Identify the artistic trends, and examples thereof, that reflect the
post-WWI spirit in Europe.
   C. Describe the characteristics of American Modernism.
   D. Identify examples of Modernist painting, literature and music.
   E. Describe the cultural conditions for the rise of Fascism in Europe.
   F. Describe the characteristics of American Regionalism in the arts.
   G. Identify examples of painting, photography, literature and music
that reflect regionalist styles in America.

XIII. Modern Africa
   A. Define “colonialism” and its cultural effects.
   B. Describe the basic cultural characteristics of colonial and
post-colonial Africa.
   C. Identify examples of traditional, colonial and post-colonial African
arts.

XIV. Modern Latin America
   A. Define “colonialism” and its cultural effects.
   B. Describe the basic cultural characteristics of colonial and
post-colonial Latin America.
   C. Identify examples of traditional, colonial and post-colonial Latin
American arts.

XV. Late Twentieth Century Affluence and the Arts
   A. Describe the overall effects of the Second World War on Europe and
the United States.
   B. Describe the background of, and what is meant by, “the Cold War.”
   C. Identify the artistic trends, and examples thereof, that reflect
post-WWII culture in Europe and the United States.
   D. Describe the characteristics of Existentialism and its influence on
the arts.
   E. Define what is meant by  “Pop Culture.”
   F. Identify the artistic trends, and examples thereof, that reflect Pop
Culture.

XVI. Contemporary Diversity
   A. Identify and describe the major sociopolitical events that have
shaped, informed and transformed late twentieth century culture.
   B. Identify examples of painting, sculpture, architecture, literature
and music that reflect the influence of these events.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

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

Student grades will be based on a minimum of three examinations which
will constitute 50% to 75% of the final grade. In addition to these
examinations, 20% to 30% of the final grade will consist of other grading
methods which may include supplemental examinations, writing assignments,
research papers, class presentations, or field trips, and must include the
critical essay. The remaining percentage will be left to the instructor’s
discretion for such items as attendance, participation in class discussion
and the like.

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.