AT 105 - History of Art Before 1400
Description
This course is a comprehensive mediated lecture/discussion of all the major global art periods of the past from the Prehistoric era through the 14th century, including an introduction to the arts of Asia, Africa, and Native Americas. Through the study of art, students gain knowledge/appreciation for each culture’s values, understand the influence of those cultures and their influence on the world, and recognize development of styles. The course thus fosters respect and curiosity for different cultures, and encourages an attitude of life-long learning.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
School: School of Liberal Arts
Department: Visual Arts
Discipline: AT
Major Course Revisions: General Education Review
Last Revision Date Effective: 20220517T13:44:23
Course Review & Revision Year: 2026-2027
Course Type:
General Education- Offering designed to meet the specific criteria for a GRCC Distribution Requirement. The course should be designated by the requirement it fulfills.
Course Format:
Lecture - 1:1
General Education Requirement: Humanities
General Education Learner Outcomes (GELO):
2. Communication: Demonstrate effective communication through listening, speaking, reading, or writing using relevant sources and research strategies, 3. Critical Thinking: Gather and synthesize relevant information, evaluate alternative perspectives, or understand inquiry as a means of creating knowledge, 4. Cultural Competence: Understand diverse interpersonal and cultural perspectives through analysis of scholarly or creative works, 6. Intellectual Curiosity: Seek and apply knowledge through discovery, experimentation, or research to advance academic, personal, and career growth
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Gain a wider world view through the analysis of art from pre-historic art to 1400. [GELO 4]
2. Recall key masterpieces of art from the past and understand their importance. [GELO 3]
3. Define art and art historical terms. [GELO 2]
4. Understand cultural influences on the art world identifying artistic characteristics geographically, recognize the pinnacle works, gain knowledge/appreciation for each culture’s values, understand the influence of those cultures and their structures’ influence on the world, recognize development of styles. [GELO 4]
5. Recognize stylistic developments in art fostering respect and curiosity for different cultures, and thus encouraging an attitude of life-long learning. [GELO 6]
Approved for Online Delivery?: Yes
Course Outline:
I. Introduction
A. Art history principles/analysis methods
B. Media and design principles
II. Prehistoric Era
A. Cave paintings
B. Stonehenge
III. Ancient Near East
A. Sumerian
B. Babylonian
C. Persian
IV. Ancient Egypt
A. The Pharoahs
B. Pyramids
C. Mummies
V. Ancient Aegean and the Trojan War era
VI. Ancient Greece
A. Classical Humanism
B. Idealism
C. The Parthenon
VII. Early South East Asia, India, China, Korea, and Japan
VIII. Ancient Etruscan: Italy (before the Roman)
IX. Ancient Roman Empire
A. The Colosseum
B. Pantheum
C. Arch & Vault systems
X. Early Christian
A. Late Antiquity in Italy
B. The Catacombs
C. Old St. Peter’s
XI. Early Byzantine
A. Contantinople
B. Justinian & Theodora
C. Venice
D. Icon
XII. Early Islam
A. Mosques
B. The Taj Mahal
XIII. Early Americas and Africa
XIV. Early Medieval Europe
A. Migration/Celtic art
B. Carolingian
C. Ottonian
XV. High Medieval Europe
A. Romanesque era
B. Monks
C. Pilgrims
XVI. High Medieval Europe
A. Gothic era
B. The great Cathedrals of France
C. England
D. Italy
Learning for each period above will include: knowing specific terms related to that period, identifying artistic characteristics geographically, recognize the pinnacle works, gain knowledge/appreciation for each culture’s values, understand the influence of those cultures and their structures’ influence on the world, recognize development of styles.
Students will distinguish between yet also draw connections to different artistic styles through written summaries and research. The course will thus foster respect and curiosity for different cultures, and thus encourage an attitude of life-long learning.
Mandatory CLO Competency Assessment Measures:
Name of Industry Recognize Credentials: None
Instructional Strategies:
Mediated instruction (slides, videos, Web, gallery trips, text illustration): 60-80%
Facilitated writings (short thesis-directed analytic reports, CATs, etc.): 20-40%
Group work: 0-15%
Mandatory Course Components:
TEACHING STRATEGIES: Classroom experience is an active learning environment that emphasizes methods of learning (learning how to learn) alongside course-specific content. Comprehensive coverage of the course content relies heavily on the required Reading assignments at home, while class time focuses on select topics-in-depth for discussion and analysis. The above assignments list illustrates that diverse assessments are used to insure that no one learning style dominates and that material is broken down into manageable small portions to continuously give opportunities to improve. College standards expect 6 hrs of home work for 3 hrs class time.
Academic Program Prerequisite: None
Prerequisites/Other Requirements: None
English Prerequisite(s): None
Math Prerequisite(s): None
Course Corerequisite(s): None
Course-Specific Placement Test: None
Course Aligned with IRW: IRW 99, IRW 98
Consent to Enroll in Course: No Department Consent Required
Total Lecture Hours Per Week: 3
Faculty Credential Requirements:
Master’s Degree (GRCC general requirement), Other (list below), 18 graduate credit hours in discipline being taught (HLC Requirement), Program Accreditation Requirement (list below)
Faculty Credential Requirement Details: For the Full-Time Art History instructor, who is responsible for the curriculum and instructional strategies, the recommended degree requirement to meet accreditation (NASAD) is the Ph.D. in Art History. For adjuncts, an A.B.D. (all but doctoral dissertation) in Art History is acceptable. If no A.B.D. candidate is available, special consideration may be given to individuals with a M.A. in Art History, supported by recent and particularly strong experience in college-level teaching of comparable courses and/or museum curatorial/educational experience.
General Room Request: 412 RJF
Maximum Course Enrollment: 30
Equivalent Courses: None
Dual Enrollment Allowed?: Yes
Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Credit Accepted: Art History
AP Min. Score: 3
Number of Times Course can be taken for credit: 1
Programs Where This Courses is a Requirement:
Fine Arts, A.F.A., Interior Design, A.F.A., Photography, A.F.A.
1st Catalog Year: -
Course Fees: $10.00
People Soft Course ID Number: 100208
Course CIP Code: 50.0799
High School Articulation Agreements exist?: No
If yes, with which high schools?: NA
Non-Credit GRCC Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Departments?: NA
Corporate Articulation Agreement exist?: No
If yes, with which Companies?: NA
Essential Abilities/Technical Standards:
Grand Rapids Community College
Essential Abilities
The Grand Rapids Community College Visual Arts faculty has specified essential abilities critical to the success of students in the History of Photography as Art course curriculum. Students must demonstrate these essential abilities to succeed in their program of study. Qualified applicants are expected to meet all admission criteria and matriculating students are expected to meet all progression criteria, as well as these essential abilities with or without reasonable accommodations.
I. Essential judgment skills to include: ability to identify, assess, and comprehend visual and conceptual situations for the purpose of problem solving around themes, subjects and reasoned or unsupported interpretations to elicit appropriate conclusions and/or course of actions. Critical thinking is an expected cornerstone of all work assigned in this course.
II. Essential physical/neurological functions to include: ability to use the senses of seeing, and hearing to make correct judgments regarding visual and conceptual situations and meet required physical expectations that apply to the practice of Art History.Behaviors that demonstrate essential neurological and physical functions include, but are not limited to observation, listening, understanding relationships, writing, and psychomotor abilities consistent with course and program expectations. In addition, students should possess the following abilities:
A. Ability to see visual images.
B. Ability to see color.
III. Essential communication skills to include: ability to communicate effectively with fellow students, faculty, and all members of the Visual Arts programs. Skills include verbal, written, and nonverbal abilities as well as information technology skills consistent with effective communication.
IV. Essential emotional coping skills: ability to demonstrate the mental health necessary to safely engage in the practice of Art History as determined by professional standards of practice.
V. Essential intellectual/conceptual skills to include: analyze, synthesize, and evaluate to engage competently in the practice of Art History. Students should exhibit the following abilities:
A. Ability to analyze concepts, readings, and research relevant to visual arts.
B. Written and presentation skills to categorize characteristics of artworks and correlate these to historical and cultural influences.
VI. Other essential behavioral attributes: ability to engage in activities consistent with safe art historical practice without demonstrated behaviors of addiction to, abuse of, or dependence on alcohol or other drugs that may impair behavior or judgment. The student must demonstrate responsibility and accountability for actions as a student in the Visual Arts Department and as a developing professional in the field of art history consistent with accepted standards of practice.
Grand Rapids Community College strives to be more than ADA compliant. We strive to be accessible and welcoming to all students of all abilities. After reviewing the Essential Abilities/Technical Standards for this program; your responsibilities as a student entail determining if you can complete all associated coursework either:
- With Accommodation. I am otherwise qualified to meet the same academic standards as any other student entering the program. However, based on a medically documented condition or diagnosis, I would qualify for reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990). I will meet with Disability Support Services on campus to arrange those accommodations in an interactive process with the department of Visual Arts.
- Without Accommodation. I am able to complete the program without need for reasonable accommodation or modification. In the event my medical documentation reveals otherwise or a condition manifests that would necessitate an accommodation; it is my responsibility to inform a responsible authority figure within the department of Visual Arts and work with Disability Support Services to see if a reasonable accommodation or modification can be made.
If you have a medically documented condition or diagnosis, please contact the Visual Arts office, or contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at disability@grcc.edu or by phone at 616.234.4140 to arrange accommodations through our interactive process.
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