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Tour Director: Dr. Mel R. Wilhoit Tour Dates: Spring 2009
"The aim of art is not to represent the outer appearance of things, but the inner significance." Aristotle
I. Tour Description: introduction to Biblical perspective on the arts (eg: art as worldview documents); historical survey of painting, sculpture, architecture; emphasis on basic elements, historical concepts, major artists, and implications of major works in human culture. Focus on Italian contributions—especially the ancient Roman world and the Italian Renaissance. II. Tour Objectives: A. To develop a Biblical understanding of the nature and place of the arts in the life of a Christian. B. To develop a basis for critical evaluation of the arts. C. To develop an understanding of the basic elements and concepts of art. D. To develop an understanding of historical style in art (between various historical periods or between various artists/composers). E. To develop, through study and actual experience, a heightened awareness and understanding (appreciation) of the arts; that is, to develop a basis for life-long learning in the arts. III. Tour Rationale: this tour supports the following institutional goals: A. #1 to integrate a knowledge of the Bible and liberal arts B. #3 to develop critical thinking, independence of thought, creative expression C. #5 to emphasize wholesome attitudes, responsible citizenship, constructive interests IV. Tour Materials: A. Art and the Bible by Francis Schaeffer ISBN: 0-87784-443-7 B. Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King ISBN: 0-14-200015-9 C. Art in Renaissance Italy by John Paoletti and Gary Radke ISBN: 0-13-596925-5 V. Tour Evaluation (Grading scale) 100-97=A 96-94=A- 93-92=B+ 91-89=B 88-87=B- 86-85=C+ 84-83=C 82-80=C- 79-77=D+ 76-73=D 72-70=D- 69-0=F VI. Tour Requirements: A. Punctual class attendance (12 classroom periods) B. Daily reading summaries (Ass #3) and Schaeffer quiz C. Hands-on art experience with Susan Wilhoit (Drawing/painting) D. Book Responses (Ass #1) E. Tour Guide (Ass #2) F. Video "Girl with Pearl Earring" and "Cathedral" (Ass #5) G. Lecture summaries (Ass #4) H. Final Summary Perspectives paper (Ass #6) % of grade 20 20 5 10 5 10 10 20
Class complies with the ADA; address concerns to Office of Student Life or Dr. Wilhoit
ASSIGNMENTS
#1 Book Project: You will read and respond to a book of historical fiction by Ross King: Brunelleschi's Dome You will 1. Write a 250-500 word summary (a general overview of what it was about) for pages 1-69; due Mar 13 AM 2. Write a 250-500 word summary (a general overview of what it was about) for pages 70-140; due Mar 13 PM #2 During my week in Italy, we'll be traveling to a number of important places we've been studying about. You should read up and study in detail about the specific place you have selected to be our local "tour guide." When we actually visit the place as a group, you should have prepared a 5-minute INFORMATIVE and MEMORABLE introduction to what we'll be experiencing. Then be ready to answer questions about our experience during or after our visit. Possibilities: Florence: Baptistery, Palazzo Signoria, Uffizi Gallery, Michelangelo's David, Ponte Vecchio, etc. Rome: Coliseum, Roman Forum, Arches of Constantine and Titus; St Peter's Basilica, etc. Venice: general city history; Dodge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, etc. #3 For each session we meet, there will be a reading assignment from the text; for each session write 100-word summary of the major ideas from the reading #4 The last 15 minutes of each lecture period, you will team up with another person (and a different one every time) to produce a half-page answer/discussion to a Question the teacher gives at end of session. #5 Miscellaneous Assignments: 1. Spend a session with Susan Wilhoit learning Watercolor 2. Watch video The Cathedral and movie Girl with the Pearl Earring; write a half-page summary on each. #6 On Thur, Mar 19, you will write a final Summary Paper, reflecting our class emphases. Choose 1 work of sculpture or architecture from each city (Florence/Rome/Venice) and answer the following questions. DOUBLE SPACE 1. Who commissioned: sufficiently ID the patron 2. What was purpose of the commission (what was the work supposed to do or represent); relationship to patron 3. Who sculpted or built the work: who were they; why were they chosen; what relationship to patron 4. How does the work function in 2008: how does that differ from original idea; is patron recognized or artist 5. Give your personal reactions to the work Dailey Class focus Assignment to be completed by class time 3/9 3/10 AM: PM: AM: PM: Intro to class; Elements of Visual Arts Greek culture Rome Middle Ages Bring all texts to class Read Art and Bible; complete open book quiz Text AiRI 12-41; reading summary 42-50, 53(City Halls)-60, 65-70, 81-89, 93-96, Synopsis (121); reading summary 134-140(camposanto), 142(Santa Maria)-155 171-205, Synopsis (213); reading summary 215-245, 258-264, Synopsis (269); summary 270-280, 294-308(Innocent), 339-354 325-338, 374-381(Villas)[read about Plague], 393-398, 403-404(Depo), 409-411, 413-417(Milan Brunelleschi's Dome 1-69; reading summary Dome 70-140; reading summary finish Dome—last few pages—on way to Florence
3/11
AM: Renaissance Florence PM: Renaissance Rome AM: Northern Renaissance PM: Venice and Baroque era AM: Aristocratic and Bourgeoisie Baroque PM: Brunelleschi Dome discussion/report Travel to and visit Florence Travel to Rome, begin visit Visit Rome and return to school AM: no class, recover and do assignment #6 PM: Discussion of travel AM/PM: Travel to and visit Venice/return school
3/12
3/13 3/16 3/17 3/18 3/19
3/20
Hand in Final Project (you may work on parts of this ahead of time) Relax and compare experiences