ARTF 120 Native American Art

Syllabus - Spring 2013

M/W 9:35-11:00 G102, 3.0 Units, CRN 55220


 

Instructor: Denise Rogers

Phone: 619-388-2371

e-mail address: derogers@sdccd.edu

 

Office Hours: M 8:30-9:30, Rm. G247

Class website: http://homework.sdmesa.edu/drogers


COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course provides for a study of Native American Indian art forms embracing the history, myth, and tribal cultures as found in pottery, textiles, wood and stone carving, basket-making, and jewelry. North America's unique contributions to art history are explored through an introduction to Native North American art and architecture from the prehistoric period to the present. This course is designed for art majors but may also be of interest to students who are interested in archeology, religion, philosophy, and Native American cultures. Classroom lectures are illustrated. (FT).   UC Transfer Course List.   Associate Degree Credit & transfer to CSU and/or private colleges and universities.  UC Transfer Limitation: Mesa- Credit may only be granted for either ARTF 113 or 115 and 120 combined.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.       Analyze Native American art and architecture in relation to historical, cultural, social and religious factors.

2.       Evaluate the cultural achievements of Native American groups form the West, East, North and Southern regions of North America as exemplified in the visual arts.

3.       Examine the effects of European contact on Native American groups and compare and contrast pre and post-contact artistic forms.

4.       Define and use effectively the terminology relevant to the development of visual art and architecture produced by Native American groups.

5.       Evaluate stylistic changes from the prehistoric to the contemporary period amongst Native American groups.

6.       Assess the various technological advances amongst Native Americans groups in the production of artwork of various media.

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1.       Students will be able to identify and analyze stylistic characteristics of art and architecture from each of the selected Native American groups and investigate cross-cultural connections amongst these groups.

 

2.       Students will be able to identify and analyze artistic and stylistic achievements of individual artists in the development of Native American art and architecture.

 

3.       Students will be able to critically analyze the form and content of Native American art and architecture with emphasis on their cultural and historical significance.

 

4.       Students will be able to evaluate the various technologies utilized by various Native American groups that demonstrate developments in the creation of art and architecture.

 

5.       Students will be able to identify and analyze artistic and stylistic achievements of individual artists within a cultural and theoretical context in the development of modern and contemporary Native American art.

 

After completing this course the student will also be able to discuss the cultural and historical factors that dictate art forms, methods, and usage, and demonstrate their ability to critically analyze Native American art. The student gain a greater understanding of Native American customs as they relate to art works and, as a result, the student will gain a greater appreciation of art and the powerful affect it has and continues to have on society as a whole.

 

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY

I will take attendance at the beginning of class for the first 2 weeks of the semester. After the first two weeks of class I will pass around a sign in sheet.  You must sign in on the corresponding day at the beginning of each class meeting. If you miss class or leave class early you will be considered absent. If you must be absent please leave a message on my voice mail or e-mail me ahead of time and your absence will be excused. If there is an emergency or unexpected event that prevents you from letting me know you will be absent ahead of time you must bring in proof of your absence (i.e. doctorÕs note, tow receipt, etc.) Excessive absences (3 unexcused or excessive excused absences) can result in a lower grade for the class and also being dropped from the course.

Please let me know in advance if a class meeting, exam, or assignment due date conflicts with your religious observances so that alternative arrangements can be made.

 

If you miss class it is your responsibility to get notes from your classmates as I will not repeat lectures, slides, or videos. Take notes during class lectures and do the reading assignments prior to coming to class. You are responsible for studying the works of art in the text but you will only be tested on those listed on the slide list and discussed in class. I will frequently present questions to the class for discussion, these questions may also appear on the exam. Each student is expected to complete the reading assignments and questions, and be prepared to discuss them with the class.

 

If for some reason you decide to no longer participate in the course, it is the your responsibility to officially drop the course (see class schedule for drop/withdrawal dates). Students who remain enrolled in a class beyond the published withdrawal deadline, as stated in the class schedule, will receive an evaluative letter grade in this class.

 

REQUIRED READING:

Berlo, Janet and Ruth B. Phillips. Native North American Art, New York: Oxford University Press. 1998 ISBN: 0192842188.

4 Reading Critiques available on course website.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Barnet, Sylvan. A Short Guide to Writing About Art, 6th edition. New York: Longman, 1999. (any edition) (available in bookstore).

 

GRADING:

                  3 Exams (one exam score dropped).............. 200pts                    A (90-100%)        = 630-700

................. Thematic Research Paper...................................... 100pts                    B (80-89%)           = 560-629

................. Oral Presentation of Research Paper.............. 50 pts                    C (70-79%)           = 490-559

................. 4 reading critiques (25 pts each)...................... 100pts                    D (60-69%)           = 420-489

................. Museum Assignment................................................. 100pts                    F  (0-59%)              = 0-419

................. Attendance............................................................................ 50pts                   

................. Final Exam (everyone must take)................... 100pts

................. Total Possible points................................................. 700pts                                            

.................

EXAMS

Exams are split into three sections. Each section is comprised of a selection of the slides and study questions provided on the handouts. A slide list, list of short answer, and essay questions will be handed out prior to the exams to aid in studying. All exam handouts are available on the course website. The exams are not cumulative but you will note that information covered from the very first day of class will be incorporated into information given during the entire course.

 

One of the first 3 exam scores will be dropped. You have one freebie exam in case you receive a low score or if you missed an exam. Make-up exams are only given in cases of unforeseen circumstances AND you can bring in proof that you could not be in class on the day of the exam (ex. airline ticket, doctorÕs note, tow truck receipt). If you miss two exams you will receive a 0 for the second missed exam. EVERYONE MUST TAKE THE FINAL EXAM ON THE SCHEDULED DATE AND TIME. The final exam is not cumulative but a portion of exam #4 will entail a cumulative assessment question, therefore everyone must be present.

 

Exam Format:

1.       10 slide identifications as follows: Artist (if known), period/culture, title of the work, regional style, medium, and location for architecture. In addition, I will ask you to answer one question in relation to the work shown. This question will be covered in lecture, from the short answer question sheet, or information taken directly from the textbook. (30 points)

2.       15 short answer questions taken from a short answer sheet (answers come from in class discussions, readings, or lectures).

3.       Answer a prepare-at-home essay question. I will provide a list of questions prior to the exam for you to study. You will have a chance to prepare the answers to these questions at home but write the essay in class. On the day of the exam I will present the same list of questions minus one (for example; if I give you a list of 6 questions 5 will appear on the exam). You will then choose ONE of the remaining questions to answer in class. You may use a 3x5 card during this portion of the exam to organize your answer (the same card can also be used to aid in answering the short answer questions). You may also bring in photocopies of the works of art to class so that you may refer to them while you answer the question. (40 points)

 

Exam Dates

Exam #1 Chapter 1 - 2.................................................... February 25

Exam #2 Chapter 3 - 4.................................................................. April 1

Exam #3 Chapter 5 - 6............................................................... April 24

Exam #4 Chapter 7 & contemporary artists................ May 22

 

If you have a need for any in-class accommodations or special test-taking arrangements because of a physical or perceptual limitation, please speak with me during the first two weeks of the semester.

 

THEMATIC RESEARCH PAPER (2 Parts)

 

PART I

ORAL PRESENTATION

The oral presentation is an 8-minute (maximum) summary of your potential thematic research paper project. The presentation will take place at the end of each section (the section corresponds to an exam date) and the focus of your presentation will be your thematic research paper theme and works of art from the region we are covering in a particular section. For example we are covering the Southwestern region for exam #1 therefore if you are presenting at the end of the Southwestern section your presentation will cover a work of art from that region (the works of art chosen should not be from the textbook). Your presentation should focus on a particular theme that connects all the works of art in your presentation. You should present a brief summary of both its purpose and formal elements as they relate to the regional group that produced the object. The presentation will be your initial outline that will develop into the thematic research paper.

 

PART II

THEMATIC RESEARCH PAPER 

The research paper should be a minimum of SIX double-spaced typed pages (not including bibliography) and consist of a topic selected by the student relating to Native American Indian art. You must demonstrate knowledge of the particular work of art, the culture, artist (if known), style, period, purpose, and content of the work of art selected. I will hand out a list of guidelines to help in constructing the paper. The paper should be a critical analysis of the work, but an informational paper is also acceptable but you will not receive the same grade as a critical paper. A bibliography of a MINIMUM of 3 sources should be at the end of your paper. Only ONE INTERNET source can be used (this does not include online books or articles), the rest must be a book or journal articles from a library (the textbook cannot be used as one of your sources). When the paper is completed, set it aside for a day and reread the paper for any structural or spelling errors.

 

Final paper due dates:

Hand in topic for your paper                              2 weeks prior to your Oral Presentation

Early hand in for review                                        May 6th   

Final paper due date                                                  May 13th 

 

The 100 points are based on meeting deadlines and fulfilling the requirements for the assignment. If you hand in your paper prior to or on May 6th , I will grade it and return it to you with a grade or in time for you to make any necessary changes. You may either keep that grade or improve upon it (if necessary) and hand it back to me on the actual due date for re-grading. The final paper is due May 13th. LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE MARKED DOWN ONE LETTER GRADE. Cheating or plagiarism will result in an ÒFÓ as well as being dropped from the course, and may result in disciplinary action by the college. Make sure you cite your sources on essay questions and in the research paper.

 

MUSEUM/GALLERY ASSIGNMENT:

This assignment entails visiting a museum, gallery, or viewing a public work of art by one of the groups covered in the class then completing a list of questions that I provide for you. This is an exercise in analyzing a work of art for its formal (visual) elements. I will provide a list of museums/galleries for you to visit. This assignment counts for 100 points towards your overall score. You have until the day of the final exam to complete this assignment.

 

READING CRITIQUES:

You will be responsible for writing a critique on four articles posted on the course website (see above for link to site). The due dates for the reading critiques are listed below. A critique consists of a precise reading of the article (not a summary), identifying WHY the author wrote the article, highlighting major points that support the authorÕs thesis, and works of art used as examples to support the thesis. See the reading critique handout (on course website) for detailed instructions.

 

Reading Critique Due Dates:

                                    1st Critique.............................................................. February 20th

                                    2nd Critique............................................................. March 20th

                                    3rd Critique............................................................. April 22nd  

                                    4th Critique.............................................................. May 20th           

 

CHEATING/PLAGERISM

If you are caught cheating on an exam or plagiarizing on a paper you will be warned and receive a 0 for the assignment. You will not have the opportunity to make up the points. If you are caught cheating a second time you will not pass the course and your name may be forwarded to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

STUDY SUGGESTIONS

In order to be successful in the course follow these guidelines:

á          Attend class and take notes (not all information covered in class is in the textbook)

á          Read the chapters prior to coming to class (this will help when studying and memorizing images)

á          Keep track of where we are in the class, what was covered during each class meeting, and any adjustments to the syllabus.

á          Make sure you have all handouts.

á          Review images frequently, donÕt wait until the night before to memorize images (they will begin to look the same) (flashcards are very helpful)

á          Complete all homework assignments

á          Turn in assignments on time (late assignments are penalized)

 

EXTRA CREDIT OPTIONS

The following is a list of extra credit options for the course. All extra credit assignments are due by the day of the final exam. These assignments are in addition to the required assignments.

 

1.       Art Walk Volunteer http://www.missionfederalartwalk.org/volunteers.htm (20 points)

2.       Extra museum assignment worth up to 10 points (2 extra maximum - 20 points maximum)

3.       Extra paper worth up to 20 points (1 maximum – 20 points maximum)

4.       Written critique of Mesa College Gallery Openings (5 points each) (dates and times will be announced in class)

5.       Written critique of on or off campus art lectures or art exhibit openings (5 points each) (dates and times will be announced in class)

 

To complete the extra credit museum or research paper assignments you should follow the same guidelines you received for the required assignments. For an extra research paper you should clear your topic with me before you begin. The written critiques of openings or lectures should entail a 1-page commentary on what you heard, saw, experienced and your overall opinion of the event. There is no written critique for Art Walk, however you must notify the volunteer coordinator (Carmen Debello) that you are in my class so she can let me know that you fulfilled the volunteer requirements. ALL WRITTEN EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE BY THE LAST DAY OF CLASS.

 

CLASS SCHEDULE AND READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

January 28:                                   Introduction to Course

                                                               Syllabus

 

January 30:                                   Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Indigenous Art of North America, p. 1-36

THE SOUTHWEST

                                                               Chapter 2: The Southwest as a region. p. 37-40                 

                                                                

February 4:                                   Chapter 2: The Ancient World, p. 40-47

                                                               Video: Anasazi

                                                              

February 6:                                   Chapter 2: From the colonial era to the modern Pueblos, p. 47-60

                                                               Video Maria Martinez

 

February 11:                                Chapter 2: Navajo and Apache arts, p. 60-70

 

February 13:                                Chapter 2: Navajo and Apache arts, p. 60-70

 

February 18:                                HOLIDAY – NO CLASSES

 

February 20:                                Reading critique #1 due

                                                               Review Exam #1

                                                               ORAL PRESENTATIONS          

 

February 25:                                EXAM #1: Chapters 1-2

 

THE EAST

 

February 27:                                Chapter 3: The East as a region, p. 71-74

                                                               Hunting cultures, burial practices, and Early Woodlands art forms, p. 74-79

                                                               Video: Moundbuilders

 

March 4:                                         Chapter 3: Mississippian art and culture, p. 79-86

                                                              

March 6:                                         Chapter 3: The Cataclysm of contact: The Southeast, p. 86-88

                                                               The Early Contact period in the Northeast, p. 88-90

 

March 11:                                      Chapter 3: Arts of the middle ground, p. 90-94

                                                               Arts of self-adornment, p. 94-106

 

THE WEST

 

March 13:                                      Chapter 4:  Introduction, p. 107-112

                                                               The Great Plains, p. 112-130

 

March 18:                                      Chapter 4: The Intermontaine region - an artistic crossroads, p. 130-133

                                                               The Far West: Arts of California and the Great Basin, p. 133-138

                                                              

March 20:                                      Reading Critique #2 due / REVIEW Exam #2

                                                               ORAL PRESENTATIONS

 

March 25-29:                              SPRING BREAK – NO CLASSES

 

April 1:                                            EXAM #2: Chapters 3 and 4

 

THE NORTH

 

April 3:                                            Chapter 5: Geography, environment, and language in the North, p. 139-144

                                                               Sub-artic clothing: art to honor and protect, p. 144-152

                                                               The Artic, p. 152-172

 

THE NORTHWEST COAST

April 8:                                            Chapter 6: Origins, p. 173-181

                                                               The early contact period, p. 181-183

 

April 10:                                         Chapter 6: Styles and techniques, p. 183-188

                                                               Western connoisseurship and Northwest Coast Art, p. 188-190

 

April 15:                                         Chapter 6: Shamanism, p. 190-194

                                                               Crest art, p. 194-198

                                                               The potlatch, p. 198-202

 

April 17:                                         Chapter 6: Art, commodity, and oral tradition, p. 202-204

                                                               Northwest Coast art in the twentieth century, p. 204-208

 

April 22:                                         Reading Critique #3 Due / REVIEW Exam #3

                                                               ORAL PRESENTATIONS

 

April 24:                                         EXAM #3: Chapters 5 and 6

 

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: TRENDS IN MODERN NATIVE AMERICA ART

 

April 29:                                         Chapter 7: Questions of definition, p. 209-210

                                                               Commoditization and contemporary art, p. 210-213

 

May 1:                                              Chapter 7: Moments of beginning, p. 213-215

                                                               The Southern Plains and the Kiowa Five, p. 215-217

 

May 6:                                              THEMATIC RESEARCH PAPER OPTIONAL EARLY HAND IN DATE

                                                               Chapter 7: The Southern Plains and the Kiowa Five, p. 215-217 (cont.)

                                                               The Southwest and the ÒStudioÓ style, p. 217-218

                                                              

May 8:                                              Chapter 7: The display and marketing of American Indian Art: exhibitions, mural projects, and competitions, p. 218-220

                                                               Native American modernisms, 1950-80, p. 220-227

                                                               Institutional frameworks and modernisms in Canada, p. 227-234

 

May 13:                                           THEMATIC RESEARCH PAPERS DUE

                                                               Chapter 7: Postmodernism, installation, and other post-studio art, p. 234-240

 

May 15:                                           Chapter 7: Postmodernism, installation, and other post-studio art, p. 234-240 (cont.)

 

May 20:                                          Reading Critique #4 due / REVIEW Exam #4

                                                               ORAL PRESENTATIONS

 

May 22:                                           EXAM #4: Chapter 7

                                                               MUSEUM ASSIGNMENT DUE