Syllabus

American Art and Architecture

Art 103/Amst 103

Daily 10:30-11:20 a.m.  Room B104

Spring  2006

 

 

“The good building makes the landscape more beautiful than it was before the building was built”  Frank Lloyd Wright

 

Instructor:  Robin Bentley

Office C154A

Office hours:  After class

(425) 564-2632 ext. 6

rbentley@bcc.ctc.edu

 

To access course materials:

www.bcc.ctc.edu/ArtsHum/Materials

 

 

Course Description:

To develop an appreciation of art and architecture from America’s past through lectures, videos, guest lectures, field trips (if time allows), and in-class discussions

 

To work towards an answer to the question:  What is American about American art?

 

To communicate ideas in an articulate way both in written form and in class discussions.

 

 

Course Outcomes:

 

1.      Identify certain technological innovations of the 19th and 20th centuries and describe how they have changed architecture and industrial design.

2.      Identify select American artworks and describe the impact American culture as a whole had on them.

3.      Identify select examples of American art and architecture and describe the impact they had on the culture at large.

4.      Identify certain American design styles of the past 150 years (as seen in selected visual images) and list characteristics of each style.

5.      Identify works and list characteristics of select artists, designers and architects studied in the course.

6.      Define art and architectural terms provided on a list.

7.      Observe an actual building and describe various parts and details using the architectural vocabulary you have learned.

8.      Analyze the same building in terms of use, style and how it fits the historical context.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Policies:

  1. Read the assignments carefully.  Credit will not be given for an assignment done wrong no matter how much effort has gone into it.
  2. Attendance is extremely important, and will be taken at each class.  Get notes from a friend if you absolutely have to miss the class.
  3. Work handed in late will be graded lower unless prior arrangements are made and there is a good reason.
  4. Makeup exams will not be given unless prior arrangement is made.  Contact me in writing  (e-mail is fine) if you are ill or have an emergency at the last moment and cannot make the exam.
  5. Do I want you to memorize dates, places, periods, etc.?  Of course!  It’s good for you!  But I’m also quite lenient—getting within 25-30 years is good enough.  As for places, in most cases the state is sufficient.  Periods, like Chicago School, Federal style, etc. are important.  Until we get to the second half of the 20th century and post-International Style these stylistic definitions become not so useful.
  6. Try to keep ahead of the lectures in your reading; have it done by the weekend before if at all possible.  This will add immeasurably to your understanding of the lecture material.  Just being able to recognize a familiar name from your reading is half the battle.  You don’t have to bring the book to class (but do bring study notes from your reading—in outline form or perhaps questions that come up during your study time.)
  7. Some required extra readings are available at the reserve desk in the library.  Many readings are optional but they will give you considerable further insight and enhance your understanding of what can be a complex subject.
  8. Images to be identified for the exams will be available for viewing on the light table in C-150 (the art lounge).  Always turn off the slide table light when you finish to avoid fading the slides.
  9. Please be prompt to avoid disrupting the class.  Arriving late or leaving early should never happen except on rare occasions;  expect to lose participation points if it happens frequently. 
  10. Cheating or plagiarism may result in an F grade for the assignment or the entire course.
  11. Please turn off all electronic devices including cell phones and pagers when you come to class.
  12. Last, but not least:  please be respectful of my need to start class promptly and refrain from asking questions just before class is scheduled to begin.  We only have 50 minutes to get through the class (so please hold questions until AFTER class.  Better yet, jot them down in the class notebook if you have a more complicated question and would like an answer the following day. If you have any questions about your grade or my grading policies please feel free to make an appointment to discuss them with me.
  13. The big FAQ for teachers is that old cliché, “Will it be on the test?”  If you have to ask, it probably will be.  Why are these the six words teachers hate the most?    Because we want you to remember everything whether it’s on the test or not, of course!  IF no one asks me this question I may find time to hold a review session before the midterm and final.

 

 

“Job Openings”

In a class like this (complex subject matter, lots of students of varying abilities, experience, etc.)  there are many ways to learn, some better than others, depending on your learning style.  Are you hands-on, technically literate, a visual learner, a photographic whiz, or a marketing genius?  How about a ham who loves public speaking?  Everybody has at least one special talent and I intend to use them all in this class.  As they always say, you get out of a class what you put  into it.  By becoming involved in the running of the class the payoff isn’t monetary, but the rewards will be high. Stay tuned!

 

 

Quizzes/Papers

 

Midterm=1/3 of grade

One Research Paper =1/3 of grade

Final Exam (non-comprehensive—covers material after the midterm)=1/3 of grade

 

Both Midterm and Final are 50% subjective (essay) and 50% objective (slide ID)

 

The Research Paper/Presentation

8-10 page typed, double-spaced paper due at time of presentation.   Include a brief overview of the artist’s life and his/her major works.  You might then focus in on one or two characteristic works or perhaps demonstrate how your artist’s works changed or matured during his/her life.

 

Prepare to present this to the class using slides, powerpoint or presentation boards.  For our purposes, it should be someone from the last ten years.  This enables you to practice formulating your own opinions:  we still don’t know everything there is to know about the particular period we’re living through. Start exploring as soon as possible for your architect or artist.    Choose one you’ve never heard of but whose work intrigues you. I want you to be absolutely passionate about your subject. 

 

Your presentation/paper should be a great balance between visual and verbal ideas.  Graphics and good writing are both given equal weight.  Must be appropriately footnoted with bibliography as described in Sylvan Barnet book on reserve at the library.  Biblio must contain at least three sources, excluding our textbook

 

Proofread.  Number pages. Number pictures or photocopies and place them at the end before the Bibliography.  Proofread.

 

Sign up for a presentation time when you’ve decided on your subject.  Presentations will last 15 minutes and will be scheduled during the last six weeks of class, usually on a Thursday/Friday.  The sooner you decide, the better!

 

 

Texts

Available in bookstore or on reserve at BCC Library:

 

Required:  Wayne Craven, American Art: History and Culture, Abrams, 1994

            Contains glossary, excellent bibliography in the back

 

Recommended:  Barnet, Sylvan, A Short Guide to Writing About Art

 

Library Media Center Hours: (Check with Library first for any schedule changes)

 

7a.m to 9p.m. Monday through Thursday

7a.m. to 5p.m. Friday

10:00a.m. to 5p.m. Saturday.

Reference desk (425)564-6161

Website:  www.bcc.ctc.edu/lmc

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Calendar

 

Week 1  Introduction to American Art and Architecture

 

Week 2  The New World, Folk Art, Shakers

            Craven chapters 1, 19

 

Week 3 Colonial and Federal,

            Craven, chapters 2,3, 4, 7, 8, 10,11

                        Williamsburg

                        Thomas Jefferson

                        John Singleton Copley

                        Benjamin West

                        Gilbert Stuart

 

Week 4 Landscape Painting, Gothic Revival and the Age of Romanticism

            Craven, chapters 13, 15, 16

                        Thomas B. Cole

                        Asher B. Durand/Frederic Edwin Church

                        Albert Bierstadt

                        John Frederick Kensett

           

Week 5  Chicago School and Frank Lloyd Wright, Naturalism and Impressionism

            Craven, chapters 20, 21, 23, 24, 27

                        HH Richardson

                        Louis Sullivan

                        James Whistler

                        John Singer Sargent

                        Mary Cassatt

                        Winslow Homer

                        Thomas Eakins

                       

 

Week 6 California and Arts and Crafts, Bauhaus, later Frank Lloyd Wright

            Craven, chapters 22, 27, 33

                        Greene and Greene

                        Bernard Maybeck

                        Richard Neutra/Albert Frey

                       

 

Week 7 Early Modernism:Art Deco, Realism and Regionalism

            Craven, chapters 28, 29, 30

                        Ashcan School

                        Edward Hopper

                        Benton/Curry/Wood

                        291 Gallery

                        Stuart Davis

 

Week 8  Photography and Design

            Craven, chapters 6,9,17,25,31, 35

 

Week 9  Modern Art, Postmodern Architecture and Deconstructivism

            Craven, chapters  33, 34, 36

                       

 

Week 10  Abstract Expressionism, Northwest

            Craven, chapter  36,37, 39, 40

 

Final Exam:  Monday June 5

 

 

 

 

BCC Grading Policies:

 

A=Outstanding Achievement

                        Consistent mastery of learning outcomes for the course and ability to interpret, integrate and apply learning outcomes beyond the context of the course; consistent leadership in class participation activities, and consistently exceeds requirements in new, unique or creative ways.

 

B=High Achievement

                        High level of competence, regular contributions to class participation activities and completion of work assignments that consistently meet most requirements.

 

C=Satisfactory Achievement

                        Completion of work assignments that satisfy minimum requirements for the course and class participation activities.

 

D=Poor Achievement

                        Minimum competence, completion of work assignments that usually meet minimum requirements and contribution to class participation is inconsistent or infrequent.

 

F =Unsatisfactory Achievement

                        Submission of work assignments that frequently do not meet minimum requirements or does not complete assigned work and does not satisfy minimum requirements for attendance or contribution to class activities.

 

Audit:

 

N is a grade not counted for credit or grade point average.  A student must declare his/her intention to audit a course within the first ten days of a quarter by filing the required petition in the Registration Office.

 

 

Incomplete:

 

An I will be posted to a transcript when submitted by the instructor with a contractual form which specifically indicates the work the student must complete to make up the deficiency and the date by which the deficiency must be resolved.  The student is responsible for requesting the I grade and for demonstrating why the I is appropriate.  Granting the request is the prerogative of the instructor.  Both student and instructor must sign the contract.  Work for the course must be completed by the end of the next quarter.

 

WA State Attorney General’s ruling on attendance:

10 absences or 20% of a course may equal an automatic failure in the course.

 

                       

Official Withdrawal:

 

During Fall, Winter and Spring quarters, withdrawals are recorded as follows:

 

Through the tenth day of the quarter, the dropped course does not become part of the transcript record .  The instructor’s signature is not required.

 

After the tenth school day and through the end of the seventh week of the quarter, the grade “W” will become part of the student’s transcript record regardless of grade status at this time.  The instructor’s signature is not required.

 

No official withdrawal will be permitted after the start of the eighth week of the quarter.

 

 

Hardship Withdrawal:

 

HW is a grade assigned by the instructor and indicates extenuating circumstances occurred after the official withdrawal period is over.  The student may contact the instructor to request this withdrawal option, or the faculty member may initiate the contact.  The instructor considers the request and assigns the HW during grade submissions.  No points are calculated into the grade point average.

 

 

Support Services Available:

 

Students with disabilities who have accommodation needs are required to meet with the Director of Disability Support Services to establish their eligibility for accommodation.  Room B132 (check)

Telephone:  (425)564-2498 or

TTY (425)564-4110

In addition, students are encouraged to review their accommodation requirements with each instructor during the first week of the quarter.