Salem Community College Course Syllabus

Course Title:
Course Code:
Lecture Hours:
Laboratory Hours:
Credits:

ART HISTORY I
FNA 101
3
0
3

Course Description:
Art History I surveys the history of architecture, sculpture, painting, and crafts in Western art from the
Paleolithic through Gothic eras. At the end of this course students will be able to identify, describe, and
analyze artwork from different periods in art history. Analysis of style and impact of the social, economic
and religious environment will be examined. One museum visit and extensive reading is required.

Prerequisite:
Completion of ENG101
Co-requisite:
None

Place in College Curriculum:

FNA101-Art History I is required for those students pursuing the Associate in Fine Arts degree program
in Glass Art, Associate of Fine Arts in Computer Graphic Art , Associate of Fine Arts in Studio Art and
can also be used as a humanities elective in all other programs.

Date of Last Revision:

March 2016

Art History I page 2

Outline of Course Content:

The following content may be organized to suit the instructors preference.
I.

Introduction
A.
Art Basics
1. The Subjects and Vocabulary of Art History
2. Different Ways of Seeing
II.

Africa, Europe, and the Near East in the Stone Age

A.
Paleolithic Art
B.
Neolithic Art

III.

Art of the Ancient Near East

A.
Sumerian
B.
Akkadian, Neo-Sumerian, Babylonian.
C.
Assyrian
D.
Neo-Babylonian and Achaemenid Persian Art
E.
Sasanian Art
IV.

V.

The Art of Ancient Egypt

A.
Pre-dynastic and Early Dynastic Periods
B.
Old Kingdom
C.
Middle Kingdom
D.
New Kingdom
E.
Late Period

Prehistoric Aegean
A.
Cycladic Art
B.
Minoan Art
C.
Mycenaean Art

VI.

Ancient Greece
A.
Humanism
B.
Geometric and Orientalizing Periods
C.
Archaic Period
D.
Early and High Classical Periods
E.
Late Classical Period
F.
Hellenistic Period

VII.

Art of the Etruscans

A.
Early Etruscan
B.
Later Etruscan

VIII.

Ancient Rome
A.
Republic
B.
Early Empire
C.
High Empire
D.
Late Empire

IX.

Late Antiquity
A.
Catacombs and Funerary Art

Art History I page 3

B.

X.

Byzantium
A.
B.

Architecture and Mosaics

C.
Luxury Art

Early Byzantine
Iconoclasm
C.
Middle Byzantine Art
D.
Late Byzantine Art

XI.

Early Medieval Art in the West

A.
Hiberno-Saxon Art
B.
Carolingian Art
C.
Ottonian Art

XII.

Romanesque Art
A.
Architecture
B.
Sculpture
C.
Painting

XIII.

Gothic Art
A.
B.

French Gothic
Gothic outside of France

Art History I page 4

Course Performance Objective #1

The student will describe, define and recognize key paintings, artifacts, sculpture and crafts from Africa,
Europe and the Near East during the Stone Age.
Learning Outcomes:
1.
The student will describe and recognize qualities of the Paleolithic Age.
2.
The student will define key aspects of Neolithic Age.
3.
The student will recognize the techniques and conventions introduced during the Stone Age that
remain the basis for artists' creations today.
Course Performance Objective #2
The student will identify, recognize, and analyze key aspects of sculpture, architecture and crafts of the
ancient Near East.
Learning Outcomes:
1.
The student will identify how cultures produced works of art that were directly tied to religion and
political influence.
2.
The student will analyze and provide examples of Sumerian, Akkadian, Babylonian,
Neo-Babylonian and Persian art.
3.
The student will recognize the use of painted narrative relief and the invention of writing as
indicators of the birth of civilization.
Course Performance Objective #3
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze important paintings, sculpture, crafts, and
architecture from the art of Ancient Egypt.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will analyze and describe the portrayal of the human figure in Ancient Egypt.
2. The student will identify and describe the architecture and sculpture of the Old Kingdom.
3. The student will recognize aspects of sculpture and architecture of the Middle Kingdom.
4. The student will identify and describe key artifacts from the New Kingdom.
5. The student will recognize the Egyptian religious concept of the afterlife and relate those concepts
to works of painting, sculpture and architecture.
Course Performance Objective #4
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze important paintings, sculpture, crafts, and
architecture from the art of the prehistoric Aegean.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will identify and describe aspects of Cycladic Art.
2. The student will describe and define the Minoan period.
3. The student will analyze subject matter in Minoan painting.
4. The student will describe Mycenaean architectural structure methods.
5. The student will recognize the artwork of ancient Mycenae.

Course Performance Objective #5

The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze key aspects of sculpture, architecture and
painting of ancient Greece that contributed to a new democratic view of life.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will analyze the Greek concept of humanism.

Art History I page 5

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

The student will identify the pantheon of Greek Gods and Goddesses.
The student will describe key aspects of painting and sculpture of the Geometric period.
The student will identify and describe sculptures of the Archaic period.
The student will recognize components of architecture of the Archaic period.
The student will analyze techniques of Greek vase painting, referencing the three stylistic periods
of expression.
The student will describe qualities of Classical Greek architecture.
The student will describe the use of numerical ratios utilized to create Classical Greek architecture.
The student will describe qualities of Classical Greek sculpture.
The student will define and describe key aspects of Hellenistic Greek sculpture and architecture.

Course Performance Objective #6

The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze key aspects of painting, architecture and
sculpture of the ancient Etruscans.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will compare Etruscan and Greek methods for figural construction.
2. The student will differentiate between Etruscan and Greek materials utilized for temple
construction.
3. The student will describe the art and architecture of the Etruscan afterlife.
4. The student will describe the adaptation of Etruscan arts into the Roman civilization.
Course Performance Objective #7
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze aspects of ancient Roman architecture,
sculpture, and painting that were shaped by politics and religion providing a bridge between the ancient,
the medieval and the modern Western worlds.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will recognize key aspects of early Roman concrete construction
2. The student will identify early Greek-influenced architecture and sculpture.
3. The student will recognize and describe the architecture and painting of Pompeii.
4. The student will identify Roman architecture and sculpture of the Early Empire.
5. The student will describe key architectural structures of the High Empire.
6. The student will analyze the evolution of the equestrian statue as a key political device.
7. The student will identify and analyze works of art dealing with the afterlife.
8. The student will recognize and describe qualities of the architecture and sculpture of the Late
Empire.
9. The student will analyze Constantine's influence on Christianity.
10. The student will identify and describe art and architecture during the reign of Constantine the
Great.
Course Performance Objective #8
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze the multicultural nature of Roman society
through study of painting, sculpture, and architecture produced by pagans, Christians and Jews under
Roman rule.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will identify late antiquity paintings.
2. The student will analyze the architecture, sculpture, and painting of catacomb and funerary art of
the first Christians.
3. The student will recognize and describe the pagan influence on early Christian mosaics.
4. The student will describe early luxury arts of illuminated manuscripts and ivory carving.

Art History I page 6

Course Performance Objective #9

The student will identify, recognize, and describe, and analyze key aspects of painting, architecture,
mosaics, and sculpture of Byzantium.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will describe the importance of Constantine's legalization of Christianity at the
beginning of the fourth century.
2. The student will describe the materials and construction methods of the luxury arts, architecture,
and mosaics of early Byzantine Art.
3. The student will recognize and describe manuscript painting during the Byzantine era.
4. The student will define iconoclasm and describe the impact it had on Byzantine art.
5. The student will recognize and define the mosaics and architecture of Middle Byzantine art.
6. The student will analyze key qualities of Byzantine icon painting.
7. The student will compare late Byzantine architecture, painting, and luxury arts to works of the
early Byzantine era.
Course Performance Objective #10
The student will identify, recognize, describe, and analyze key aspects of early Medieval art in the West
through the study of crafts, sculpture, book arts, painting and architecture.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will recognize and describe the use of animal style imagery in metalcraft, carving, and
book arts.
2. The student will describe qualities of Hiberno-Saxon illuminated manuscripts.
3. The student will identify key aspects of Carolingian book arts and architecture.
4. The student will analyze changes to sculpture and book arts following the death of Charlemagne
and the rise of Ottonian art.
Course Performance Objective #11
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze key aspects of architecture, sculpture,
painting, illumination and tapestry of the Romanesque era.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will identify the geometry of the round arch and vault.
2. The student will recognize and describe the use of sculpture for architecture in French
Romanesque cathedrals.
3. The student will analyze the metalwork and wood sculpture of the Romanesque era in Europe.
4. The student will recognize and identify manuscript illumination of the Romanesque era.
Course Performance Objective #12
The student will identify, describe, recognize, and analyze an understanding of the elements of Gothic
Art.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will identify and describe key aspects of French Gothic sculpture and architecture.
2. The student will define elements of book illumination and the luxury arts.
3. The student will compare Gothic art and architecture of England, Germany, and Italy to French
Gothic art and architecture.
4. The student will analyze the regional diversity of Gothic architecture.

Art History I page 7

Course Performance Objective #13

The student will evaluate, interpret and describe a work of art by visiting one art museum.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will research works of art to by visiting at least one museum.
2. The student will use the formal elements of design and principles of organization to describe the
works viewed.
3. The student will evaluate and interpret information gained from directly observing works of art in
a research paper.
Course Performance Objective #14
The student will find information about a work of art from a period in art by completing a research paper.
As the student gains skill in formal analysis, he/she will be encouraged to put into their own words
his/her own critical comments about the artist reviewed as well as include scholarly publications as
resources.
Learning Outcomes:
1. The student will write a 4-6 page research paper on a work of art from the Paleolithic through
Late Gothic eras directly observed at a local art museum. Papers will be typeset in 12 point
Times New Roman and will use double space and a one inch margin.
2. Students will analyze works and apply commonly used approaches and criteria to compose a
research paper.
3. The student will access information effectively and efficiently through the library and online
research.
4. The student will evaluate and think critically about the information.
5. The student will use information effectively to support his/her research
6. The student will use information ethically and legally.
7. The student will label correctly examples of all art works discussed.
8. The student will use MLA format to provide at least one primary source, and at least one
secondary source.

Art History I page 8

General Education Requirements:

The General Education Goals covered in FNA 101 are:
Competency 1: Written and Oral Communication: Students will communicate effectively in
both speech and writing.
o Students will be assessed on their ability to achieve this General Education Goal through
their preparation of a paper and will explain and evaluate what they read, hear and see.
Competency 6: Humanistic Perspective: Students will analyze works in the field of art.
o Students will be assessed on their ability to achieve this General Education Goal by
describing commonly used approaches and criteria for analyzing works.
Competency 8: Cultural and Global Awareness: Students will understand the importance of a
global perspective and culturally diverse peoples.
o Students will be assessed in their ability to achieve this General Education Goal by
linking cultural practices and perspectives with geographic and historical conditions
from which they arose.
Competency 9: Ethical Reasoning: Students will understand ethical issues and situations.
o Students will be assessed their ability to achieve this General Education Goal when they
analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives on an ethical
issue or situation.
Competency 10: Information Literacy: Students will use computer systems and other
appropriate forms of technology to achieve educational and personal goals
o Students will be assessed on their ability to achieve this General Education Goal through
their preparation of research-based papers which demonstrate the students ability to
evaluate and think critically about information.

General Outcomes Assessment:

A college-wide outcomes assessment program has been put into place to enhance the quality and
effectiveness of the curriculum and programs at Salem Community College. As part of this assessment
program, the learning outcomes for this course will be assessed. Assessment methods may include tests,
quizzes, papers, reports, projects and other instruments. Copies of all outcomes assessments are
available in an electronic assessment bank maintained by the Institutional Research and Planning Office.
Course Activities:
Classroom activities will include PowerPoint lectures introducing new course material, participation in
class discussions, and an oral presentation to the class, by each student, outlining his/here research paper
topic. Students are required to visit a museum on their own time and produce a written report describing
each visit. Students will also do further research on several works of art of their choosing and produce a
4-6 page research paper.
Course Requirements and Means of Evaluation:
Please refer to the instructors syllabus addendum (to be distributed in class) for specific information
regarding the course requirements and means of evaluation.
Academic Honesty Policy:
Students found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty may be subject to failure in this course,
academic probation, and/or suspension from the college. See the Student Handbook for additional details.
Attendance Policy:
Regular and prompt attendance in all classes is expected of students. Students absent from class for any
reason are responsible for making up any missed work. Faculty members establish an attendance policy
for each course and it is the students responsibility to honor and comply with that policy.

Art History I page 9

ADA Statement:
If you have a 504 Accommodation Plan, please discuss it with your instructor. If you have any disability
but have not documented it with the Disability Support coordinator at Salem Community college, you
must do so to be eligible for accommodations. To contact the Disability Support Coordinator, call 856351-2773, visit DON108, or email disabilitysupport@salemcc.edu to set up an appointment. To find out
more information about disability support services at Salem Community College, visit
www.salemcc.edu/students/student-success- programs/disability-support
Text: visit the Salem Community College bookstore for current textbook