Syllabus

Art Appreciation

 

Course Information

Course Number: ART 1103

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisites: None

Course Description

This course invites students to explore the nature and purpose of art, examining how we experience and interpret visual culture across time. Students will develop a working vocabulary of art terminology, learn to analyze the elements and principles of design, and investigate a wide range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, architecture, craft arts, and digital forms. Through critical analysis and discussion, students will interpret and evaluate works of art within their formal, cultural, and historical contexts. The course traces key developments in art history from prehistory to the present, highlighting how art has shaped—and been shaped by—civilizations. Students will demonstrate their understanding through a virtual presentation that showcases art from various time periods and cultures.

DISCLAIMER: Some subjects and images discussed during class may contain violence, nudity, social criticism, and political viewpoints.  Any artwork or topics containing imagery of this nature will be used to raise awareness of current or past topics.

 

Course Goals

This course is designed for all students, particularly those with little to no background in the visual arts. It will provide students with the skills and critical toolkit to experience art and visual culture and consider and reconsider their own immediate, individual reactions to that art and culture. The course structure allows students to build the vocabulary and “seeing” skills to analyze a work of art. Students will explore how art is made and the materials used, both for identification purposes but also if she/he/they decide they wish to explore making art as well.  Finally, the brief overview of art history in the latter third of the class will provide a broad context of art from a social, political, religious, and cultural perspective.

 

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.
2. Analyze the composition of works of art to identify art elements and principles of design.
3. Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various works of art by analyzing different art mediums including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, craft arts, architecture and new media to create an image.
4. Critically interpret and evaluate works of art.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of arts on culture by creating a virtual presentation and written explanation of the various art used throughout different civilizations and periods of time.

 

Instructional methods utilized in this course include

• Lessons
• CYKs
• Module Quizzes
• Discussion Posts
• Mastery Assignments
• Midterm and Final Exams 

 

Course Materials

All reading and materials necessary to complete required exercises are provided within the course platform. The required textbook is available free of charge:

 

Sachant, P. J., Blood, P., LeMieux, J., & Tekippe, R. (2016). Introduction to art: Design, context, and meaning. University of North Georgia Press https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/introduction-to-art-design-context-and-meaning.

• Introduction to Art: Design, Context, and Meaning PDF

 

Course Length and Due Date Requirements

This is a self-paced course allowing students to learn according to their schedules. Overall, it is estimated that the course will take approximately 130-150 hours to complete. The recommended timeframe to complete this course is 14-16 weeks.

It is recommended that students work through the course at a comfortable pace that allows regular, incremental (daily and/or weekly) progress.

In this course you will see three sets of due dates. 

• Syllabus Quiz - Due 7 Days after the course start date
• Midpoint Due Date - The first half of the course content (approximately 50%) is due
• Final Due Date - The remaining coursework (approximately 50%) is due by the last day of the course. 

The modules are divided evenly across these two main deadlines, taking into account the amount of coursework in each. These due dates are designed to help you stay on track and successfully complete the course. Each due date in the course allows for flexibility and late submission, but the due dates are “real” due dates. For each day an assignment is submitted past the due date, an automatic deduction of 5% will be applied to the assignment grade. All assignments must be completed before moving forward in the course.

 

Minimum Passing Grade

To earn college credit for this course, students must earn a minimum average grade of either 60% or 70%, depending on the requirements of their home school or institution. Most high schools require a minimum grade of 70% to award credit.

 

Grading Policies

Grade Weighting

• Participation
  • Check Your Knowledge Quizzes: 10% 
  • Expand Responses: 10%
• Module Quizzes: 20%
• Discussion Posts: 10% 
• Mastery Assignments: 30% 
• Course Exams: 20% 

 

Assignment Grading Descriptions 

• Participation - CYKs: "Check Your Knowledge" or CYK quizzes are located in each module. They are composed of multiple-choice, multiple-answers, and true/false questions. These quizzes are auto-graded and designed to help the student test their understanding of the lesson content. Students may take these quizzes as many times as desired to help prepare for the module quizzes and mastery assignments. It is required that students earn 100% on each quiz before proceeding to the next lesson in the course. The CYK quizzes can be taken as many times as needed to earn 100%.
• Participation - Expand Responses: Open-ended response questions completed in each module. The responses to each set of questions are practiced throughout the module and are due at the end of each module. Students may turn in the template for these assignments as many times as needed. This will count toward the student's participation grade.
• Discussion Posts: Students will be prompted with a case study in which they will have to select the best solution to the given problem. Students will be prompted to defend their selection using evidence from the materials learned in the course and will be asked to analyze and evaluate other solutions developed by their peers. 
• Module Quizzes: Multiple-choice quizzes that are auto-graded. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take the module quiz twice. The higher of the two grades will count toward the student's grade.
• Mastery Assignments:
  • Written Mastery Assignments: Rubric-based assignments that reinforce concepts in the course. Assignments are aligned to course outcomes and require the student to spend extra time developing, reviewing, and revising their assignments prior to submission. Students are encouraged to seek out feedback from peers and experts to fully develop their assignments. Students are also encouraged to self-evaluate their work using the rubrics provided.
  • Mastery Assignment Quizzes: Unit quizzes created to help students understand how to evaluate and analyze case-based scenarios and problems that would commonly appear in the subject area. Questions are more difficult, scenario focused questions that require students to synthesize information they have learned across multiple modules. Students may use notes and refer back to lessons using a separate browser or the printable versions of lessons. Quizzes are not timed. Students may take these only once.
• Course Exams: Proctored, multiple-choice exam that is auto-graded. Students may take this only once.  

 

Mastery Assignments

Use the following information to know in which module the Mastery Assignments are located. 

• Mastery Assignment 1: Module 3
• Mastery Assignment 2: Module 7 
• Mastery Assignment 3: Module 8 

 

Academic Integrity Policy

TEL Education, in partnership with its regionally accredited university collaborators, upholds an Academic Integrity Policy rooted in the core values of honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Violations of this policy include:

• cheating
• plagiarism
• misuse of technology
• unauthorized use of generative AI
• any other instance of academic dishonesty

Violations are addressed through a case-by-case review process using the "Preponderance of Evidence" standard. Disciplinary actions may range from warnings to expulsion, depending on the severity of the violation. 

Examples of misconduct include unauthorized collaboration, improper citation, bypassing proctoring systems, and using AI tools like ChatGPT without permission.

Violations discovered after final grades are submitted can still result in retroactive grade changes. TEL Education retains full discretion to determine appropriate disciplinary measures, which are not required to follow a step-by-step escalation process. Actions may include assignment grade reductions, course failure, or suspension/expulsion, as deemed necessary.

 

Student Code of Conduct

All students and student representatives (including authorized teachers, counselors, and parents) are expected to adhere to the Student Code of Conduct throughout the duration of the student's time in this course. Students and representatives are expected to engage respectfully, act with integrity, participate actively, and use technology appropriately, while any behavior that is disruptive, dishonest, threatening, or otherwise inappropriate is strictly prohibited.

All students are expected to maintain Academic Integrity, actively participate in their learning, and use technology appropriately in all areas of this course.

 

Grade Appeal Policy

Final course grades assigned by instructors are considered permanent. However, students may appeal a final grade under specific circumstances, as outlined below. This policy applies to final course grades only. Appeals related to individual assignments, participation grades, or other components of the course will not be considered.

Grounds for Appeal

A student may appeal a final grade only if one or more of the following conditions are met:

• A clerical or calculation error resulted in an incorrect final grade.
  
• The final grade was assigned in a manner inconsistent with the course syllabus or stated grading criteria.

Appeal Timeline

All grade appeals must be submitted within 15 business days after the last day of the course. Appeals submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

Appeal Process

1. First Step – Instructor Communication
   The student must first contact the instructor in writing to discuss the grade concern and seek clarification or informal resolution.
   
   
2. Formal Appeal – Written Submission
   If the issue remains unresolved, the student may submit a formal written appeal utilizing the Grade Appeal Form. This written appeal must:
   
• Clearly state the grounds for appeal,
  
• Include any relevant supporting documentation,
  
• Be submitted within the 15-business-day deadline.
  
  
3. Review and Decision
   The academic administrator or review committee will evaluate the appeal and may consult with the instructor. The decision of the administrator (or designated reviewer) is final and will be communicated in writing to the student.

 

Exams

In this course, students will complete a midterm and a final exam, both of which must be proctored. The exams in this course are proctored by HonorLock, which is a browser extension that monitors student performance and progress while taking an exam. Students will be required to bring a form of identification with them when starting the exam. While Honorlock will record the student’s computer webcam, speakers, and desktop, all security and privacy protocols/requirements will be followed.

 

Technical Requirements

This is a fully online course; therefore, it requires the following technologies:

• A desktop or portable computer, including Windows PC, Macintosh OS, or Chromebook (tablets, cell phones, and iPads are not supported);
• TEL Education Canvas Course Link;
• HonorLock Extension;
• Google Chrome Browser  
• A working built-in or external webcam, speakers, and microphone;
• Internet speed must be at least 2 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Hot spots are not recommended. Test Internet speed.
• Headphones or speakers 
• Microphone
• A webcam or video recording device
• Ability to access the Google Work Suite (ie. Google Slides, Google Docs, etc.)

To access detailed information about the minimum hardware requirements necessary to take full advantage of this course, visit the technical requirements page in your course.

 

Student Communication Policy

All students enrolled in this course, including those under the age of 18, are protected under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This means that all course-related communication, grades, and academic progress will be discussed only with the student, not with parents, guardians, or other third parties, unless the student has provided written consent to the credit-granting institution. 

In the event a FERPA Release is on file with the institution, while this allows academic records to be released to the authorized individual, it does not allow the authorized individual to intercede on the behalf of the student, including emailing the instructor, attending office hours, and filing grade appeals.

Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and to reach out directly to their instructor with any questions or concerns.

 

Disability Services Statement

TEL is committed to providing equitable student access to course content and materials by providing reasonable accommodations for all persons with disabilities. TEL also complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students who need accommodations must make their requests by contacting the TEL Support Team. TEL’s Support Team will coordinate reasonable accommodations upon registration and before the course begins. Students over the age of 18 taking college-level courses require a 504 for accommodations.

Any student seeking to request academic accommodations on the basis of a documented disability should contact the TEL Support Team at disabilityservices@tellibrary.org to coordinate reasonable accommodations.

 

Additional Information

Please review the following documents before continuing on to the course material. 

• Academic Integrity Policy 
• Accessible PDF of the Course Syllabus

 

Return to the Syllabus Module

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