rt & Society

Course code: ART200

Semester and year: Fall 2024

Day and time: Thursday 15: 30– 18:15

Instructor: Doc. Josef Záruba-Pfeffermann, PhD.

Instructor contact: joszaruba@seznam.cz  

Consultation hours: After class

 

Credits US/ECTS	3/6	Level	Introductory
Length	15 weeks	Pre-requisite	None
Contact hours	42 hours	Course type	VA Required, HSC Required/Elective, CEA

1. Course Description

This course examines the inseparable tie between art and society in focusing mainly on the time period between 19^th-21st century. Most specifically it will present the development of the visual arts (paintings, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, etc.) in relationship with methods of art research and other approaches to art.

The course is divided into two parts:

1. Approaches to critical writing

2. Applications of these methods related to various visual analysis presented by students.

 

In the second part of our course, we will explore various art projects, visual phenomena, exhibitions etc. We will discuss various approaches to these fields of visual culture, important resources to these current topics and their social relevance.

2. Student Learning Outcomes

   Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

● Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

● Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

● Improve their research and academic writing skills.

● Prepare and present research on a chosen topic. 

● Learn about various art resources and methods of research

● Learn about basic trends in visual studies

 

3. Reading Materials

Arntzen, E., & Rainwater, R. (1980). Guide to the literature of art history. Chicago: American Library Association.

Adams, L. (1996). The methodologies of art: an introduction. New York: IconEditions.

Frazier, N. (1999). The Penguin concise dictionary of art history. New York: Penguin Reference.

Robinson, Hilary. (2001). Feminism – Art – Theory: An Anthology, 1968–2000. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell.

Mansfield, Elizabeth (2002). Art History and Its Institutions: Foundations of a Discipline. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-22868-9

Murray, Chris. (2003). Key Writers on Art. 2 vols, Routledge Key Guides. London: Routledge.

Harrison, Charles, and Paul Wood. (2003). Art in Theory, 1900–2000: An Anthology of Changing Ideas. 2nd ed. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell.

Shiner, Larry. (2003). The Invention of Art: A Cultural History. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-75342-3

Pollock, Griselda (ed.) (2006). Psychoanalysis and the Image. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 1-4051-3461-5

Emison, Patricia (2008). The Shaping of Art History. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press. ISBN 978-0-271-03306-8

Charlene Spretnak (2014), The Spiritual Dynamic in Modern Art : Art History Reconsidered, 1800 to the Present.

 

 

 

Other readings and week assignments will be available through the lecturer. Materials and information relevant to the course will be also posted on the course website.

4. Teaching methodology

Each session will consist of slide-based lectures, discussions of images and texts, class presentations, as well as excursions to museums, art galleries, and historical sites relevant to the topics covered in the class. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their comprehension of course materials, attendance and preparation, critical engagement with ideas presented in the course, and the ability to synthesize key issues developed throughout the semester.

 

 

 

5. Course Schedule

 

Date	Class Agenda
Class 1	Introduction - methods of Art History
Class 2	Introduction, how to prepare for a research, for an exhibition review, for a curatorial project. A fluid approach in the 21st century
Class 3	Art History institutions, schools of Art History
Class 4	How to cite - how to write a list of literature and other resources.
Class 5	Presentation 1 - discussion - class visit
Class 6	Presentation 2  - discussion - class excursion
Class 7	Presentation 3 - discussion - class excursion
Class 8	Presentation 4 - discussion - class excursion
	Midterm Break
Class 9	.Presentation 5 - discussion - class excursion
Class 10	Presentation 6 - discussion - class excursion
Class 11	Presentation 7 - discussion - class excursion
Class 12	Presentation 8 - discussion - class excursion
Class 13 December 7	Presentation 9 - discussion - class excursion
Class 14	Presentation 10 - discussion - class excursion
Class 14	PAPERS ARE DUE THIS WEEK

 

6. Course Requirements and Assessment (with estimated workloads)

Assignment	Workload (average)	Weight in Final Grade	Evaluated Course Specific Learning Outcomes	Evaluated Institutional Learning Outcomes*
Attendance and Class Participation	42	20%	Active participation in class discussions showing knowledge of the topics relevant to the class.	1, 2, 3
Class Presentation	30	20%	Presentation skills, ability to explain the studied topic to peers, identify key issues, subject knowledge.	1, 2, 3
Mid-term paper	25	15%	Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.	1, 2, 3
Final paper	50	25%	Prepare and present research on a chosen topic. Show knowledge of the given subject, an ability to express thoughts in a clear prose, as well as an imagination to accompany the written text with illustrative photographs and pictures.	1, 2, 3
Final exam	53	20%	Identify major historical periods and styles of art and architecture and recognize their defining characteristics from Romanesque to the Contemporary period. Contextualize the characteristics of representative forms and examples of art and architecture within the socio-cultural, historical, and political influences of their time.	1, 2, 3
TOTAL	150	100%

*1 = Critical Thinking; 2 = Effective Communication; 3 = Effective and Responsible Action

7. Detailed description of the assignments

Students enrolled in the course will be asked to give a class presentation to take no more than 30 minutes. The presentation can be given in the classroom or outside and should be the basis of the midterm paper (2-3 typewritten pages, including illustrations and photographs), and the final paper (4-5 typewritten pages, including illustrations and photographs). Both the presentation and the ideas for the paper should be discussed with the course instructor. The final paper is to be handed in on the last day of class. In addition, a final exam will take place at the end of the course. Attendance as well as active participation in class discussions are expected.

 

Class Presentation (20%):

At the beginning of the semester students will choose a topic for a class presentation, which can be as general as describing a modernist movement or style or can deal with a specific work of art or architecture, an artist, or an architect. Students can present the topic either in the classroom with PowerPoint slides, or speak at a pertinent historical sight, in an art gallery or in a museum.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

● Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

● Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

● Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

● Improve their research and academic writing skills.

● Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic	40%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand	20%
Structure and organization of presentation	20%
Delivery of presentation (visual effectiveness, clarity, impact, etc.)	20%

 

Midterm Paper (15%) and Final Paper (20%):

It is recommended that the midterm paper would deal with the same or similar topic as the class presentation. The midterm paper should be about 2-3 typewritten pages long (including illustrations and photographs) and will be due in the class before the mid-term break. The final paper, due at the end of the semester, should grow out of the midterm paper, and the class presentation, developing the chosen topic in a greater depth and detail. The final paper should be about 4-5 typewritten pages (including illustrations and photographs) and is to be handed in on the last day of class.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

● Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

● Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

● Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

● Improve their research and academic writing skills.

● Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic.	30%
Ability to contextualize key examples of works of modern art and architecture in relation to their style and historical context.	20%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand.	20%
Ability to accurately apply relevant theoretical knowledge and terminology to given examples.	20%
Structure and organization of the paper.	10%

 

Final Exam (20%):

The Final Exam will consist of two parts: slide identification and exam questions. The slide identification will amount to recognition of the works of art and architecture discussed in the class, as well as their classification by style, date and context, when they were made. The exam questions will be based on topics covered in the class during the whole semester, where students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject, as well as their ability to apply appropriate terminology learned throughout the semester.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

● Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

● Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

● Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

● Improve their research and academic writing skills.

● Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic	30%
Ability to identify key works covered in class or homework	20%
Ability to contextualize key examples of works of art and architecture in relation to their historical time period	20%
Ability to accurately apply relevant stylistic knowledge and terminology to given examples of art works	20%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand	10%

 

    Class attendance and participation (20%):

    Students are expected to attend class regularly, to be on time, and to respect the rules and manners of the classroom while at school and on excursions (see class attendance policy below, and the School Codex on the University website). Students are expected to complete the readings and assignments and come prepared to participate in class activities or discussions. Students may be called upon to give short summaries, or answer questions concerning previous topics. Additionally, students are expected to actively participate during the excursions, museum and gallery visits, etc.

    If a student misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to keep up with the assignments, and to get the notes from one of the classmates or from the course website.

   I will be happy to meet during my office hours or at an arranged time to discuss the material you missed after you have made an effort to catch up. You are also expected to visit the sights we visited in class. (In the case of museum visits, bring me the entrance ticket, and I will reimburse you for the entrance fee.)

8. General Requirements and School Policies

General requirements

All coursework is governed by AAU’s academic rules. Students are expected to be familiar with the academic rules available in the Codex and Student Handbook and to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work.

Electronic communication and submission

The university and instructors shall only use students’ university email address for communication. It is strongly recommended that any email communication between students and instructors take place in NEO LMS. Each e-mail sent to an instructor that is about a new topic (meaning not a reply to an original email) shall have a new and clearly stated subject and shall have the course code in the subject, for example: “COM101-1 Mid-term Exam. Question”. All electronic submissions are carried out through NEO LMS. No substantial pieces of writing (especially take home exams and essays) can be submitted outside of NEO LMS.

Attendance

Attendance, i.e., presence in class in real-time, at AAU courses is default mandatory; however, it is not graded as such. (Grades may be impacted by missed assignments or lack of participation.) Still, students must attend at least two thirds of classes to complete the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are excused, they will be administratively withdrawn from the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are not excused, they will receive a grade of “FW” (Failure to Withdraw). Students may also be marked absent if they miss a significant part of a class (for example by arriving late or leaving early).

Absence excuse and make-up options

Should a student be absent from classes for relevant reasons (illness, serious family matters), and the student wishes to request that the absence be excused, the student should submit an Absence Excuse Request Form supplemented with documents providing reasons for the absence to the Dean of Students within one week of the absence. Each student may excuse up to two sick days per term without any supporting documentation; however, an Absence Excuse Request Form must still be submitted for these instances. If possible, it is recommended the instructor be informed of the absence in advance. Should a student be absent during the add/drop period due to a change in registration this will be an excused absence if s/he submits an Absence Excuse Request Form along with the finalized add/drop form.

 

Students whose absence has been excused by the Dean of Students are entitled to make up assignments and exams provided their nature allows. Assignments missed due to unexcused absences which cannot be made up, may result in a decreased or failing grade as specified in the syllabus.

 

Students are responsible for contacting their instructor within one week of the date the absence was excused to arrange for make-up options.

Unexcused absences

Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Absences above this number may result in failure of the course.

Late work: No late submissions will be accepted – please follow the deadlines.

Electronic devices

Any electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops…) may be used only for class-related activities (taking notes, looking up related information…). Any other use will result in being marked absent and/or being expulsed from the class. No electronic devices may be used during the tests.

Eating is not allowed during classes.

Cheating and disruptive behavior

If a student engages in disruptive conduct unsuitable for a classroom environment, the instructor may require the student to withdraw from the room for the duration of the class and shall report the behavior to the student’s Dean. Students engaging in behavior which is suggestive of cheating will, at a minimum, be warned. In the case of continued misconduct, the student will fail the exam or assignment and be expelled from the exam or class.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism obscures the authorship of a work or the degree of its originality. Students are expected to create and submit works of which they are the author. Plagiarism can apply to all works of authorship – verbal, audiovisual, visual, computer programs, etc. Examples are:

● Verbatim plagiarism: verbatim use of another’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source and designation as a verbatim quotation,

● Paraphrasing plagiarism: paraphrasing someone else’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source,

● Data plagiarism: use of other people’s data without proper acknowledgement of the source,

● False quotation: publishing a text that is not a verbatim quotation as a verbatim quotation,

● Fictious citation: quoting, paraphrasing, or referring to an incorrect or a non-existent work,

● Inaccurate citation: citing sources in such a way that they cannot be found and verified,

● Ghostwriting: commissioning work from others and passing it off as one’s own,

● Patchwriting: using someone else’s work or works (albeit with proper acknowledgement of sources and proper attribution) to such an extent that the output contains almost no original contribution,

● Self-plagiarism: unacknowledged reuse of one’s own work (or part of it) that has been produced or submitted as part of another course of study or that has been published in the past,

● Collaborative plagiarism: delivering the result of collective collaboration as one’s own individual output.

At minimum, plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment and shall be reported to the student’s Dean. A mitigating circumstance may be the case of novice students, and the benefit of the doubt may be given if it is reasonable to assume that the small-scale plagiarism was the result of ignorance rather than intent. An aggravating circumstance in plagiarism is an act intended to make the plagiarism more difficult to detect. Such conduct includes, for example, the additional modification of individual words or phrases, the creation of typos, the use of machine translation tools or the creation of synonymous text, etc. The Dean may initiate a disciplinary procedure pursuant to the Academic Codex. Intentional or repeated plagiarism always entail disciplinary hearing and may result in expulsion from AAU.

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Tutoring Center

The use of artificial intelligence tools to search sources, to process, analyze and summarize data, and to provide suggestions or feedback in order to improve content, structure, or style, defined here as AI-assisted writing, is not in itself plagiarism. However, it is plagiarism if, as a result, it obscures the authorship of the work produced or the degree of its originality (see the examples above). AAU acknowledges prudent and honest use of AI-assisted writing, that is, the use of AI for orientation, consultation, and practice is allowed. For some courses and assignments, however, the use of AI is counterproductive to learning outcomes; therefore, the course syllabus may prohibit AI assistance. A work (text, image, video, sound, code, etc.) generated by artificial intelligence based on a mass of existing data, defined here as AI-generated work, is not considered a work of authorship. Therefore, if an AI-generated work (e.g. text) is part of the author’s work, it must be marked as AI-generated. Otherwise, it obscures the authorship and/or the degree of originality, and thus constitutes plagiarism. Unless explicitly permitted by the instructor, submission of AI-generated work is prohibited. If unsure about technical aspects of writing, and to improve their academic writing, students are encouraged to consult with the tutors of the AAU Academic Tutoring Center. For more information and/or to book a tutor, please contact the ATC at: http://atc.simplybook.me/sheduler/manage/event/1/.

Course accessibility and inclusion

Students with disabilities should contact the Dean of Students to discuss reasonable accommodations. Academic accommodations are not retroactive.

Students who will be absent from course activities due to religious holidays may seek reasonable accommodations by contacting the Dean of Students in writing within the first two weeks of the term. All requests must include specific dates for which the student requests accommodations.

 

 

Art & Society

Course code: ART200

Semester and year: Fall 2024

Day and time: Thursday 15: 30– 18:15

Instructor: Doc. Josef Záruba-Pfeffermann, PhD.

Instructor contact: joszaruba@seznam.cz  

Consultation hours: After class

 

Credits US/ECTS	3/6	Level	Introductory
Length	15 weeks	Pre-requisite	None
Contact hours	42 hours	Course type	VA Required, HSC Required/Elective, CEA

1. Course Description

This course examines the inseparable tie between art and society in focusing mainly on the time period between 19^th-21st century. Most specifically it will present the development of the visual arts (paintings, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, etc.) in the Central Europe from the end of the 18th century until the present, focusing mainly on the Czech lands (that were part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy until 1918). In the 19th century Bohemian culture was influenced by nationalist movement i.e. the National Revival, which was inspired by wider socio-political tendencies at this time. Relations to Austrian and German art were very important during that time. Since the 19th century we can see a profound shift to French literature (Symbolism, Decadence, Cubism, etc.). These connections endured until the period between the World War I and World War II (Surrealism, Abstract art). The period after the Second World War (until 1989) was characterized by a totalitarian political system that negatively deformed the standard art scene. Czech art acquired new dimension after the political changes of 1989. This course will introduce the history of Czech visual arts in a wider Central European context with references to other art fields (film, literature, theatre).

2. Student Learning Outcomes

   Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

●      Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

●      Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

●      Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

●      Improve their research and academic writing skills.

●      Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

3. Reading Materials

Required Materials:

Robert Rosenblum (ed.), 1900 Art at the Crossroads. London – New York, 2000
Debora L. Silverman, Art-Nouveau in Fin-de-Siecle France. Berkeley, Los Angeles, Oxford 1989

Primary Documents. A Sourcebook for Eastern and Central European Art since the 1950s. New York 2002

Petr Wittlich, Prague. Fin-de-Siecle. Paris 1992

 

Books and materials are on reserve at the AAU library or available on NEO under Resources.

 

Recommended Materials:

Petr Wittlich, Czech Modern Painters (1888-1918), Karolinum 2012

Petr Wittlich, Sculpture od Czech Art Nouveau. Praha 2002Petr Wittlich, Art Nouveau Drawings. Praha 1974
Edwin Becker, Roman Prahl, Petr Wittlich (ed.) Prague 1900. Poetry and Ecstasy. Amsterdam 1999

Otto M. Urban, In Morbid Colours. Art and Idea of Decadence in the Bohemian Lands 1880 – 1914. Prague 2006
Jaroslav Anděl (ed.), Czech Modernism. 1900 - 1945. Houston 1989
Jaroslav Anděl, Dorothy Kosinski (ed.), František Kupka. Dallas 1997
Jiří Šetlík (ed.), Otto Gutfreund. Praha 1996
Hana Larvová (ed.), Sculptor František Bílek. Praha 2000
Hana Larvová (ed.) Umělecké sdružení Sursum/ Sursum Art Association. Praha 1996
Robert B. Pynsent (ed.), Decadence and Innovation. Austro-Hungarian life and Art at the turn of the Century. London 1989
Robert B. Pynsent, Questions of Identity. Czech and Slovak ideas of Nationality and Personality. Budapest, London, New York 1994
S. A. Mansbach, Modern Art in Eastern Europe. From Baltic to the Balkans, ca. 1890 – 1939. Cambridge 1999
Naděžda Blažíčková (ed.), 19 th Century Czech Painting. Praha 1998
Karel Teige/ 1900 – 1951. L ́Enfant terrible of the Czech Modernist Avant-garde. Cambridge, London.1999

Other readings and week assignments will be available through the lecturer. Materials and information relevant to the course will be also posted on the course website.

4. Teaching methodology

Each session will consist of slide-based lectures, discussions of images and texts, class presentations, as well as excursions to museums, art galleries, and historical sites relevant to the topics covered in the class. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their comprehension of course materials, attendance and preparation, critical engagement with ideas presented in the course, and the ability to synthesize key issues developed throughout the semester.

 

 

 

5. Course Schedule

 

Date	Class Agenda
Class 1 August 31	Introduction Introduction to the course; syllabus review Excursion - National Gallery, St Agnes Monastery
Class 2 September 7	Czech Art or Art in Czech Lands - Introduction I. Romanesque and Gothic Art (Master Theodoricus, Petr Parler)
Class 3 September 14	Czech Art or Art in Czech Lands – Introduction II. Rennaisance and Baroque Art (Giuseppe Archimboldo, Jan Blažej Santini)
Class 4 September 21	National revival: Looking for Lost Paradise (National Theatre, Josef Mánes) Lit.: Robert B. Pynsent, Introduction: Varieties of national self-definition. in: Questions of Identity. Czech and Slovak ideas of Nationality and Personality. Budapest, London, New York 1994, pp. 148 – 189.
September 28	State Holiday
Class 5 October 5	Realism and the Birth of Modern Art (Josef Navrátil, Karel Purkyně) Mid-term paper due
Class 6 October 12	Art Nouveau and Impressionism: New Shapes in New Light (Alfons Muncha, Municipal House) Lit.: Petr Wittlich, Alfons Mucha. In: Art Nouveau Drawings. Praha 1974, pp. 15 – 20. Excursion – Alfons Mucha Museum, Prague
Class 7 October 19	Decadent Symbolism or Great Decline of Spirituality (František Bílek, Karel Hlaváček) Lit.: Otto M. Urban, František Bílek and the Idea of Deacadence. In: František Bílek, 1872 – 1941. Praha 2000. Excursion: František Bílek Museum, Gallery of the City of Prague
October 26	Midterm Break
Class 8 November 2	The Occult in Art (Josef Váchal, Jaroslav Panuška) Lit.: Otto M. Urban, Satanic Hallucinations. in: In Morbid Colours. Art and Idea of Decadence in the Bohemian Lands 1880 – 1914. Prague 2006, pp. 257 – 326.
Class 9 November 9	Cubism: Fragments and Facets and Neurosis (Bohumil Kubišta, Josef Chochol) Lit.: Alena Pomajzlová, The violation of a dream. Post-Art Nouveau and Post-Symbolism. in: Prague 1900, Poetry and Ecstasy. Amsterdam 1999, pp. 179 – 191. Excursion – Museum of Czech Cubism, Prague
Class 10 November 16	Abstraction: Metamorphosis and/or Cosmic Spring (František Kupka) Lit.: Pierre Brullé, Markéta Theinhardt, Painting Despite Everything. František Kupka on Creation in the plastic Arts. in: Painting the Universe. František Kupka, Pioneer in Abstraction. Dallas 1997, pp.151 – 164. Excursion – National Gallery, Fair Trade Palace
Class 11 November 23	Surrealist Dream against Totality (Jindřich Štyrský, Karel Teige) Miroslav Petříček Jr., Karel Teige: Art Theory between Phenomenology and Structuralism.in: Karel Teige/ 1900 – 1951. L ́Enfant terrible of the Czech Modernist Avant-garde. Cambridge, London.1999, pp. 324 – 338
Class 12 November 30	Wounded Culture: Socialist Realism and Myth of Underground (Stalin Monument, Alén Diviš) Lit.: Ivan Martin Jirous, A Report on the Third Czech Musical Revival. in: Primary Documents. A Sourcebook for Eastern and Central European Art since the 1950s. New York 2002, pp. 56 – 65.
Class 13 December 7	After 1989: Back to the (Ab)normality I. (David Černý) Lit: Tomáš Pospiszyl, David Černý, Promrdané roky/ The Fucking years. Praha 2002
Class 14 December 14	PAPERS ARE DUE THIS WEEK

 

6. Course Requirements and Assessment (with estimated workloads)

Assignment	Workload (average)	Weight in Final Grade	Evaluated Course Specific Learning Outcomes	Evaluated Institutional Learning Outcomes*
Attendance and Class Participation	42	20%	Active participation in class discussions showing knowledge of the topics relevant to the class.	1, 2, 3
Class Presentation	30	20%	Presentation skills, ability to explain the studied topic to peers, identify key issues, subject knowledge.	1, 2, 3
Mid-term paper	25	15%	Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.	1, 2, 3
Final paper	50	25%	Prepare and present research on a chosen topic. Show knowledge of the given subject, an ability to express thoughts in a clear prose, as well as an imagination to accompany the written text with illustrative photographs and pictures.	1, 2, 3
Final exam	53	20%	Identify major historical periods and styles of art and architecture and recognize their defining characteristics from Romanesque to the Contemporary period. Contextualize the characteristics of representative forms and examples of art and architecture within the socio-cultural, historical, and political influences of their time.	1, 2, 3
TOTAL	150	100%

*1 = Critical Thinking; 2 = Effective Communication; 3 = Effective and Responsible Action

7. Detailed description of the assignments

Students enrolled in the course will be asked to give a class presentation to take no more than 30 minutes. The presentation can be given in the classroom or outside and should be the basis of the midterm paper (2-3 typewritten pages, including illustrations and photographs), and the final paper (4-5 typewritten pages, including illustrations and photographs). Both the presentation and the ideas for the paper should be discussed with the course instructor. The final paper is to be handed in on the last day of class. In addition, a final exam will take place at the end of the course. Attendance as well as active participation in class discussions are expected.

 

Class Presentation (20%):

At the beginning of the semester students will choose a topic for a class presentation, which can be as general as describing a modernist movement or style or can deal with a specific work of art or architecture, an artist, or an architect. Students can present the topic either in the classroom with PowerPoint slides, or speak at a pertinent historical sight, in an art gallery or in a museum.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

●      Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

●      Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

●      Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

●      Improve their research and academic writing skills.

●      Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic	40%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand	20%
Structure and organization of presentation	20%
Delivery of presentation (visual effectiveness, clarity, impact, etc.)	20%

 

Midterm Paper (15%) and Final Paper (20%):

It is recommended that the midterm paper would deal with the same or similar topic as the class presentation. The midterm paper should be about 2-3 typewritten pages long (including illustrations and photographs) and will be due in the class before the mid-term break. The final paper, due at the end of the semester, should grow out of the midterm paper, and the class presentation, developing the chosen topic in a greater depth and detail. The final paper should be about 4-5 typewritten pages (including illustrations and photographs) and is to be handed in on the last day of class.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

●      Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

●      Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

●      Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

●      Improve their research and academic writing skills.

●      Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic.	30%
Ability to contextualize key examples of works of modern art and architecture in relation to their style and historical context.	20%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand.	20%
Ability to accurately apply relevant theoretical knowledge and terminology to given examples.	20%
Structure and organization of the paper.	10%

 

Final Exam (20%):

The Final Exam will consist of two parts: slide identification and exam questions. The slide identification will amount to recognition of the works of art and architecture discussed in the class, as well as their classification by style, date and context, when they were made. The exam questions will be based on topics covered in the class during the whole semester, where students will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of the subject, as well as their ability to apply appropriate terminology learned throughout the semester.

 

This task meets or partially meets these learning outcomes:

●      Understand the inseparable tie between art and society with consideration to technological and media development

●      Explain the art historical narrative and historical tendencies that exist in relation to society

●      Recognize canonical works of art, major artists and key characteristics of the historical period covered in the course and how it relates to previous time periods

●      Improve their research and academic writing skills.

●      Prepare and present research on a chosen topic.

 

Assessment breakdown

Assessed area	Percentage
Knowledge and understanding of the topic	30%
Ability to identify key works covered in class or homework	20%
Ability to contextualize key examples of works of art and architecture in relation to their historical time period	20%
Ability to accurately apply relevant stylistic knowledge and terminology to given examples of art works	20%
Ability to think independently and afresh in regard to a topic at hand	10%

 

    Class attendance and participation (20%):

    Students are expected to attend class regularly, to be on time, and to respect the rules and manners of the classroom while at school and on excursions (see class attendance policy below, and the School Codex on the University website). Students are expected to complete the readings and assignments and come prepared to participate in class activities or discussions. Students may be called upon to give short summaries, or answer questions concerning previous topics. Additionally, students are expected to actively participate during the excursions, museum and gallery visits, etc.

    If a student misses a class, it is his/her responsibility to keep up with the assignments, and to get the notes from one of the classmates or from the course website.

   I will be happy to meet during my office hours or at an arranged time to discuss the material you missed after you have made an effort to catch up. You are also expected to visit the sights we visited in class. (In the case of museum visits, bring me the entrance ticket, and I will reimburse you for the entrance fee.)

8. General Requirements and School Policies

General requirements

All coursework is governed by AAU’s academic rules. Students are expected to be familiar with the academic rules available in the Codex and Student Handbook and to maintain the highest standards of honesty and academic integrity in their work.

Electronic communication and submission

The university and instructors shall only use students’ university email address for communication. It is strongly recommended that any email communication between students and instructors take place in NEO LMS. Each e-mail sent to an instructor that is about a new topic (meaning not a reply to an original email) shall have a new and clearly stated subject and shall have the course code in the subject, for example: “COM101-1 Mid-term Exam. Question”. All electronic submissions are carried out through NEO LMS. No substantial pieces of writing (especially take home exams and essays) can be submitted outside of NEO LMS.

Attendance

Attendance, i.e., presence in class in real-time, at AAU courses is default mandatory; however, it is not graded as such. (Grades may be impacted by missed assignments or lack of participation.) Still, students must attend at least two thirds of classes to complete the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are excused, they will be administratively withdrawn from the course. If they do not meet this condition and most of their absences are not excused, they will receive a grade of “FW” (Failure to Withdraw). Students may also be marked absent if they miss a significant part of a class (for example by arriving late or leaving early).

Absence excuse and make-up options

Should a student be absent from classes for relevant reasons (illness, serious family matters), and the student wishes to request that the absence be excused, the student should submit an Absence Excuse Request Form supplemented with documents providing reasons for the absence to the Dean of Students within one week of the absence. Each student may excuse up to two sick days per term without any supporting documentation; however, an Absence Excuse Request Form must still be submitted for these instances. If possible, it is recommended the instructor be informed of the absence in advance. Should a student be absent during the add/drop period due to a change in registration this will be an excused absence if s/he submits an Absence Excuse Request Form along with the finalized add/drop form.

 

Students whose absence has been excused by the Dean of Students are entitled to make up assignments and exams provided their nature allows. Assignments missed due to unexcused absences which cannot be made up, may result in a decreased or failing grade as specified in the syllabus.

 

Students are responsible for contacting their instructor within one week of the date the absence was excused to arrange for make-up options.

Unexcused absences

Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Absences above this number may result in failure of the course.

Late work: No late submissions will be accepted – please follow the deadlines.

Electronic devices

Any electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops…) may be used only for class-related activities (taking notes, looking up related information…). Any other use will result in being marked absent and/or being expulsed from the class. No electronic devices may be used during the tests.

Eating is not allowed during classes.

Cheating and disruptive behavior

If a student engages in disruptive conduct unsuitable for a classroom environment, the instructor may require the student to withdraw from the room for the duration of the class and shall report the behavior to the student’s Dean. Students engaging in behavior which is suggestive of cheating will, at a minimum, be warned. In the case of continued misconduct, the student will fail the exam or assignment and be expelled from the exam or class.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism obscures the authorship of a work or the degree of its originality. Students are expected to create and submit works of which they are the author. Plagiarism can apply to all works of authorship – verbal, audiovisual, visual, computer programs, etc. Examples are:

●                Verbatim plagiarism: verbatim use of another’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source and designation as a verbatim quotation,

●                Paraphrasing plagiarism: paraphrasing someone else’s work or part of it without proper acknowledgement of the source,

●                Data plagiarism: use of other people’s data without proper acknowledgement of the source,

●                False quotation: publishing a text that is not a verbatim quotation as a verbatim quotation,

●                Fictious citation: quoting, paraphrasing, or referring to an incorrect or a non-existent work,

●                Inaccurate citation: citing sources in such a way that they cannot be found and verified,

●                Ghostwriting: commissioning work from others and passing it off as one’s own,

●                Patchwriting: using someone else’s work or works (albeit with proper acknowledgement of sources and proper attribution) to such an extent that the output contains almost no original contribution,

●                Self-plagiarism: unacknowledged reuse of one’s own work (or part of it) that has been produced or submitted as part of another course of study or that has been published in the past,

●                Collaborative plagiarism: delivering the result of collective collaboration as one’s own individual output.

At minimum, plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment and shall be reported to the student’s Dean. A mitigating circumstance may be the case of novice students, and the benefit of the doubt may be given if it is reasonable to assume that the small-scale plagiarism was the result of ignorance rather than intent. An aggravating circumstance in plagiarism is an act intended to make the plagiarism more difficult to detect. Such conduct includes, for example, the additional modification of individual words or phrases, the creation of typos, the use of machine translation tools or the creation of synonymous text, etc. The Dean may initiate a disciplinary procedure pursuant to the Academic Codex. Intentional or repeated plagiarism always entail disciplinary hearing and may result in expulsion from AAU.

Use of Artificial Intelligence and Academic Tutoring Center

The use of artificial intelligence tools to search sources, to process, analyze and summarize data, and to provide suggestions or feedback in order to improve content, structure, or style, defined here as AI-assisted writing, is not in itself plagiarism. However, it is plagiarism if, as a result, it obscures the authorship of the work produced or the degree of its originality (see the examples above). AAU acknowledges prudent and honest use of AI-assisted writing, that is, the use of AI for orientation, consultation, and practice is allowed. For some courses and assignments, however, the use of AI is counterproductive to learning outcomes; therefore, the course syllabus may prohibit AI assistance. A work (text, image, video, sound, code, etc.) generated by artificial intelligence based on a mass of existing data, defined here as AI-generated work, is not considered a work of authorship. Therefore, if an AI-generated work (e.g. text) is part of the author’s work, it must be marked as AI-generated. Otherwise, it obscures the authorship and/or the degree of originality, and thus constitutes plagiarism. Unless explicitly permitted by the instructor, submission of AI-generated work is prohibited. If unsure about technical aspects of writing, and to improve their academic writing, students are encouraged to consult with the tutors of the AAU Academic Tutoring Center. For more information and/or to book a tutor, please contact the ATC at: http://atc.simplybook.me/sheduler/manage/event/1/.

Course accessibility and inclusion

Students with disabilities should contact the Dean of Students to discuss reasonable accommodations. Academic accommodations are not retroactive.

Students who will be absent from course activities due to religious holidays may seek reasonable accommodations by contacting the Dean of Students in writing within the first two weeks of the term. All requests must include specific dates for which the student requests accommodations.

9. Grading Scale

Letter Grade	Percentage*	Description
A	95 – 100	Excellent performance. The student has shown originality and displayed an exceptional grasp of the material and a deep analytical understanding of the subject.
A–	90 – 94
B+	87 – 89	Good performance. The student has mastered the material, understands the subject well and has shown some originality of thought and/or considerable effort.
B	83 – 86
B–	80 – 82
C+	77 – 79	Fair performance. The student has acquired an acceptable understanding of the material and essential subject matter of the course, but has not succeeded in translating this understanding into consistently creative or original work.
C	73 – 76
C–	70 – 72
D+	65 – 69	Poor. The student has shown some understanding of the material and subject matter covered during the course. The student’s work, however, has not shown enough effort or understanding to allow for a passing grade in School Required Courses. It does qualify as a passing mark for the General College Courses and Electives.
D	60 – 64
F	0 – 59	Fail. The student has not succeeded in mastering the subject matter covered in the course.

* Decimals should be rounded to the nearest whole number.

 

Prepared by: Josef Zaruba and Karolina Dolanská

Date: April 2024

Approved by: Karolina Dolanská