Art_History_232:_Art_of_Italian

Material and skills covered:

· Please note that this is the regular Italian Renaissance Art course, open to all. It is NOT the FYE Renaissance Art course, which has entirely different purposes and themes, and is part of the “Decoding da Vinci and Company” group of courses.

· Please see the course description below, as it currently appears in the Principia College Catalogue, 2007-2008

Course objectives:

-- To learn how to look at works of art in a systematic, analytical manner.

-- To learn how to speak and write with precision about art and architecture.

-- To understand the essential characteristics and styles of art and architecture during the Renaissance.

-- To become aware of the social and historical contexts of works of art:

a) circumstances surrounding the creation of specific works of art.

b) sensitivity to one’s own cultural bias, preoccupations, and expectations in studying various kinds of art.

-- To grow in one’s capacity to use verbal language appropriate to the study of Renaissance art and architecture.

-- To develop confidence in applying art historical methods appropriate to the study of Renaissance art and architecture.

-- To understand the basic points of art theory in the Renaissance

Methods used:

Lecture and discussion; one field trip to the St. Louis Museum of Art; library tutorials.

Grade determined by:

Attendance, class participation, weekly quizzes, weekly written homework, two major tests, one (1500-2100 word) 5-7 page research paper, final exam

Attendance policy:

Absolutely required with no exceptions, since the course is composed in part of student discussion about the works of art with the instructor. Every unexcused absence after the first two will result in a 2% reduction in the final grade. In accordance with Principia College catalogue, more than 5 unexcused absences may result in the student’s being dropped from the class with a failing grade.

Comments:

As currently published in the Principia College catalogue, 2007-2008: ARTH 232, Art of the Italian Renaissance. A survey of the visual arts during the centuries that, in many ways, mark the boundary between the ancient and modern worlds. Study of the artists and monuments traditionally acknowledged to be among the finest in the history of art, including the works of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Donatello. A secondary focus is to question and explore the reasons why the art of this period is so acclaimed.