Course Description
The AP Art History course should engage students at the same level as an introductory college art history survey. Such a course involves critical thinking and should develop an understanding and knowledge of diverse historical and cultural contexts of architecture, sculpture, painting and other media. It also provides an opportunity for schools to strengthen an area neglected in most curricula. In this course, students examine and critically analyze major forms of artistic expression from the past and the present from a variety of cultures. While visual analysis is a fundamental tool of the art historian, art history emphasizes understanding how and why works of art function in context, considering such issues as patronage, gender, and the functions and effects of works of art. Many colleges and universities offer advanced placement and/or credit to students who perform successfully on the AP Art History Exam.
The AP Art History course Objectives are: Understand the nature of art, art making, and our responses to it. Develop an in-depth understanding of individual works of art from diverse cultures. Develop an understanding of the relationships among these works. Practice the essential skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis. |
“Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do” - Edgar Degas
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Course Structure: |
A lasting journey |
This course is structured around the big ideas and essential questions from the AP Art History Course and Exam
Description — The big ideas and essential questions in the AP Art History Course and Exam Description are used as a conceptual foundation for the course Big Idea 1: Artists manipulate materials and ideas to create an aesthetic object, act, or event Essential Question: What is art and how is it made? Learning Objective 1.1: Students differentiate the components of form, function, content, and/or context of a work of art Learning Objective 1.2: Students explain how artistic decisions about art making shape a work of art. Learning Objective 1 .3: Students describe how context influences artistic decisions about creating a work of art. Learning Objective 1.4: Students analyze form, function, content, and/or context to infer or explain the possible intentions for creating a work of art. Big Idea 2: Art making is shaped by tradition and change. Essential Question: Why and how does art change? Learning Objective 2.1: Students describe features of tradition and/or change in a single work of art or in a group of related works. Learning Objective 2.2: Students explain how and why specific traditions and/or changes are demonstrated in a single work or group of related works. Learning Objective 2.3: Students analyze the influence of a single work of art or group of related works on other artistic production. Big Idea 3: Interpretations of art are variable. Essential Question: How do we describe our thinking about art? Learning Objective 3.1: Students identify a work of art. Learning Objective 3.2: Students analyze how formal qualities and/or content of a work of art elicit(s) a response. Learning Objective 3.3: Students analyze how contextual variables lead to different interpretations of a work of art. Learning Objective 3.4: Students justify attribution of an unknown work of art. Learning Objective 3.5: Students analyze relationships between works of art based on their similarities and differences. |
Student Materials
Students will be responsible to bring to class everyday: Colored Index cards (5x8) (not the small kind) LOTS OF THEM! Note taking paper Binder/bag/box for organizing flashcards (you will have a lot by the end of the year) Student Evaluation Points based system Tests/Quizzes Content/Date/Artists Quizzes, Content Quizzes – points vary each quiz/test Class Work (Flashcards, Activities) Homework (Ethics Responses, Investigative Studies) Final Exams and major semester projects I do not round grades, extra credit is given throughout both semesters. The grade in PowerSchool is the one that goes on your transcript. DO NOT come to me a few weeks before the end of the semester with missing work and ask, "What can I do to raise my grade?" Do the work in the beginning, turn in assignments on time, study, and participate in extra credit. If you are struggling, come talk to me EARLY so that we can discuss and come up with a plan to help you succeed. I will do everything to help you. NO LATE WORK IS ACCEPTED except for excused absences ONLY! *** Excused Absences: Class work missed is due the day you return without penalty. Not knowing about homework/class work will not be accepted as an excuse as all work and assignments are given well in advance in several formats. Please make friends with someone to find out information. I will be giving a calendar for each unit including homework, due dates, and test/quiz days. *** Missed Tests: Tests/Exams/Quizzes need to be made up the 2 days after you return- No exceptions and no excuses will be accepted for not having time to study. You must come to me to schedule a time to make up quizzes. If you do not take the test/quiz when you return the quiz will remain a zero in PowerSchool. Classroom Expectations (Students) - Please be respectful, polite, and thoughtful to your peers, especially opinions and during discussions, class materials, and to your teacher. - It is your responsibility to be prepared for class and have all materials. I occasionally have extra index cards handy. - You have wonderful and insightful ideas and opinions and we can’t wait to hear them. DO NOT copy/plagiarize anyone else’s ideas or opinions. Cheating/copying is absolutely NOT tolerated and will result in an F grade for the assignment. If you do agree with/like another’s opinion, SAY IT- just give proper credit to the original author and cite your facts. When you come inside, breathe; be ready for Art History and focus. This class, as with any AP class, requires your full attention and commitment. Let’s use it wisely and have fun to achieve our daily and long term goals! “AP Study Sessions” Study Sessions for the AP Exam will start in late March/April. Exact dates will be announced in March. Sessions are not required, though strongly recommended. Study Sessions will help students better prepare for the exam by taking practice exams, working together with another student, drill vocabulary, artists, and review key movements. We will organize flashcards and notes so that students are effectively able to study. During these study sessions information about the exam and what to expect will be explained. |
This website is based upon work supported by:
Dr. Robert Croad for workshops, resources and time -
Marsha Russell for your generosity in sharing materials and knowledge -
and to Valerie Park for your AP Art History web site that this website is based upon.
Dr. Robert Croad for workshops, resources and time -
Marsha Russell for your generosity in sharing materials and knowledge -
and to Valerie Park for your AP Art History web site that this website is based upon.