south texas college

Art Appreciation - ARTS-1301

Professor

Rachael Brown

Office Location: Mid Valley Campus - G134

Office Telephone #: 973-7606

E-mail: rfbrown@southtexascollege.edu

Please use PRONTO to ask questions about course materials, assignments.

Please use email to notify about personal concerns, illness, change of schedule, etc.

Office Hours: 

Mon/Tues: 3-4pm

Wed/Thurs/Fri: 11am-noon

Liaison

Profile Photo
Heather Bobrowicz
she/her
Contact:
956-872-2277

Contact Us

Visit the Hours and Contacts page to see how you can get in touch with a librarian to assist you with your research.

Hours & Contacts

Navigating this Course Guide

This course guide has been customized to assist you with Art Appreciation (ARTS 1301).

Use the navigational tabs above to find the course modules for your assignments and various resources that can help with your course assignments.

The information on this page is meant to orientate you with the requirements of the course. 

For curated content for all things art, see our Fine Arts Research Guide (will open in a new tab). 

The South Texas College Library has self-paced, interactive tutorials that help students and faculty successfully utilize library resources. Learn more about the library, how to search for information, and how to avoid plagiarism by following writing and citing best practices. 

Some examples include:

The Centers for Learning Excellence (CLE) is all about student success, and successful students work with tutors to gain a deeper understanding of course concepts, writing, APA citation style, time management and more! Schedule an appointment to meet with a tutor today!

Not sure what citation style to use, or even how to cite books, artwork, and videos in MLA, APA. and Chicago? Check out the Writing & Citing Guide (Will open in a new tab) for assistance with these areas. 

There are also several how-tos from the Purdue Online Writing Lab, and several tools for generating proper citation/bibliographies.

Here is a guide from Duke on Writing About Paintings.

Guidelines for Analysis of Art are also helpful for writing papers and completing projects.

Course Description

This course is a general introduction to the visual arts designed to create an appreciation of the vocabulary, media, techniques, and purposes of the creative process. Students will critically interpret and evaluate works of art within formal, cultural and historical contexts.

Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 1301.

 

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of art elements and principles of design.
  • Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various works of art.
  • Critically interpret and evaluate works of art.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of arts on culture

 

Required Course Objectives

  • CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS:  to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information.

  • COMMUNICATION SKILLS:  to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral and visual communication.

  • TEAMWORK:  to include the ability to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

  • SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY:  to include intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national, and global communities.

 

Course Evaluation

A combination of oral assignments, written assignments, in-class quizzes/examinations, oral presentations, and classroom activities are used to evaluate student performance. Each instructor will have at his/her discretion, the ability to combine the admixture to evaluate student performance. Students may display understanding of the learning outcomes in several manners.

Assignments and grading criteria:

Your final grade at the end of the semester is based on how successfully you complete the following criteria. You will take three tests on BlackBoard including the final, and complete three projects.

Online discussion posts, readings homework throughout semester: 16% 

Project 1 (Collage 1, terms from Unit I, Formal Elements, Principles of Design) 16%

Project 2 (Collage 2, terms from Unit II, General Art Terms)  16%

Project 3 (Collaborative project)              20%

Test I: Midterm (2 and 3 - D Media)        16%

Final Exam (Thematic Investigation)  16%

These are also point totals, they add up to 100 points for the semester. 

Grade scale per individual assignments: 

A  -- 15 - 16 pts --  90-100 %               excellent, mastery of subject

B  – 13 - 14 pts --   80-89 %                  Good, above average

C  – 11 - 12 pts --  70-79%                  fair, average

D  – 9 - 10 pts   --   60-69%                   below average

F  >  8 pts         --   0-59 %  Fails to meet minimum course requirements, subject not mastered.

Project assignment details and test reviews will be provided during the semester, and will be available on BlackBoard.

  • Late work: If your assignment is submitted late, you will see a "0" in your online grades. You may submit assignments late, but they will lose 5% per day late, and after 2 weeks, assignments will not be able to earn any points, unless student notified professor before due date.
  • If a grade is a D or lower on any test or assignment, you must chat with your instructor to go over your notes and study habits during open-door hours or make an appointment. Your attitude toward this course is a factor in your grade.
  • If a student receives 2.5 or less out of 5 points for the Teamwork portion of the common assignment, the student will forfeit 50% of the rest of the grade on the assignment.
  • If 30% of assignments are incomplete, student may be dropped from course, or final grade may be dropped a letter.
  • Register via your STC email for the STARFISH program, check PRONTO and email regularly for notifications regarding course status.
  • In Blackboard, make SURE your "My Grades" are set to show "All" assignments and "Due Date (oldest first)" so you are consistently aware of your total earned points in the course, as well as upcoming and incomplete assignments.
  • A final course grade of D or F will affect your GPA, financial aid, and possibly cost a financial penaltyeven if you are an Early College High School Student.