ART 3209 (LUOA), ARTS 209 (LUO): Art as Communication

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/25/2025

Course Description

This course serves to cultivate an understanding of the language, aesthetics and cultural impacts of visual communication. The focus is on discourse that fosters the development of ideational, analytical and rhetorical writing skills necessary for demonstrating critical thinking in the analysis and critique process concerning visual images. Two analytical papers based upon studies of the visual images focusing on the agency of the image, the social practices and effects of its viewing and the specificity of views taken by various audiences and a literary research paper, sequentially developed, are required. (Formerly ARTS 300)

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

Visual art, in both traditional and digital form, has long been a means of human communication and expression. Individuals and groups use it to investigate, express, and communicate ideas, feelings, and experiences. Visual art is a language in its own right, being a major way of symbolically communicating. Research, analysis, and critique of contemporary and historical aspects of these visual communications will benefit the student by enabling accurate interpretations of visual art. Since this course is taught from a Christian perspective, the student additionally benefits from analyzing visual art as a means of communicating the full range of human experience.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussion: Christianity and Visual Culture

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for the discussion. The thread must be 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. Each thread must be supported with at least 2 scholarly citations in current MLA format from the 2 required Read item articles. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 words. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 2, 3 and 5.

Discussion: AI Images: Create and Analyze

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for the discussion. The student will choose 1 prompt from a provided list to create an AI generated image. The student will then post a thread with the embedded image and present an explanation on its composition, effectiveness in portraying its message, and ethical implications. The thread must be 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The thread should utilize the principles of design and Gestalt and at least 1 mental activity or Semiotic Theory. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 words and must be supported with at least 1 point regarding aesthetics, the message, and the ethical implications. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 2, 3 and 5.

Discussion: Final Presentation and Reflection

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to share the final project, embedded at 300dpi, and respond to provided prompts in a thread. The thread must be 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The thread must be supported with at least 1 scholarly citation in current MLA format from the Course Materials. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150 words. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 2, 3 and 5.

Art Analysis Worksheet Assignments (2)

The student will begin a 2-step process for the analysis of a chosen piece of art. The 2 assignments will cover all aspects of a critical analysis of the chosen piece of art.

Art Analysis Worksheet: Part One Assignment

The Art Analysis Worksheet: Part One Assignment will walk the student through the analysis of the content of the artwork. The student will choose an artwork from the provided list of approved art pieces. Using the Art Analysis Worksheet: Part One Template, the student will utilize visual literacy skills to analyze the art piece. The student must embed an image of the chosen art piece, label it in current MLA format, and write all responses within the provided template. The student will upload the completed template into Canvas.

Art Analysis Worksheet: Part Two Assignment

The Art Analysis Worksheet: Part Two Assignment will walk the student through the analysis of the context of the artwork, followed by a critical informed judgment. Utilizing the art piece chosen for the Art Analysis Worksheet: Part One Assignment, the student will conduct research on the context of the art piece to discover the historical, social, cultural, and religious background of the artwork. The student will utilize the Art Analysis Worksheet: Part Two Template to present their research findings. The student must utilize at least 3 scholarly sources, cited in current MLA format. The student must embed an image of the chosen art piece and write all responses within the provided template. The student will upload the completed template into Canvas.

These assignments align with the following FSLOs: CIL 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Redeeming Vision Journal Assignment

The student will engage in a reflective journal writing exercise allowing the student to consider Christian values in relation to viewing visual art. This assignment will allow the student to choose a piece of art, design or cultural image and, in at least 200 words, reflect on how viewing visual art may enhance a Christian’s spiritual life. Current MLA format must be followed. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL, 2, 3, and 5.

Modern Art Analysis Assignments (2)

The student will work on 2 assignments which will culminate in a paper that presents a critical analysis of a work of art. The first assignment will consist of completing an outline that details the analysis process. The second assignment will be using the contents of the first assignment to write the analysis paper. 

Modern Art Analysis Outline Assignment
For this assignment, the student will begin the process of writing a visual art analysis paper in current MLA format. The student will find a piece of Modern 2-D art (1850 to Present) in a local art museum or an online museum website and complete the Modern Art Analysis Outline Template based on the content and context of the piece. The student will download and complete the outline template which contains the steps of a formal visual art analysis, putting all aspects of an art analysis that the student has learned into practice. The student must embed an image of the artwork and properly label the piece in current MLA format. The student must utilize at least 3 citations in their analysis. The completed outline will be uploaded into Canvas.

Modern Art Analysis Paper Assignment
For this assignment, the student will complete a 750-word paper in current MLA format that presents a critical analysis of a work of art. The student will use the contents of the Modern Art Analysis Outline Assignment to write the paper. The paper must include 4 sources that will include the artwork itself, in addition to 3 scholarly sources other than the Bible or the textbook. If the Bible or textbook are referenced in the paper, they must be cited, but they do not count towards the total number of sources required. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Black Square Exercise Assignment

With this exercise, the student will demonstrate Gestalt principles by showing how simple black squares can communicate emotions and concepts through size and placement on a white canvas. For this assignment, the student will use Adobe Express and the Black Square Exercise Template to create compositions communicating various emotions and concepts by manipulating black squares. Each design must utilize 1 Gestalt principle. The name of the used principle should be added to each design. Once completed, the student will download a PDF copy of his/her designs and create a shareable link. Both the PDF and shareable link must be submitted into Canvas. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 1, 3.

Visual Art Project Assignments (3)

The student will create a work of art meant to communicate an idea or message to a particular audience.

Visual Art Project: Stage One Assignment

The first assignment will consist of a worksheet that walks the student through the planning process of creating a visual art message. The student will decide on a target audience and a specific message to persuade his/her audience with. The student will then complete the Process Book Template to assist him/her in planning out his/her art piece. The student will research visuals and create a mood board, embedding at least 6 photos into the provided template. The student will explain how 3 mental activities, 2 symbols/signs (semiotics), and 2 Gestalt principles will be utilized in his/her piece. The student will need to include 10 thumbnail sketches of his/her proposed art piece within the provided template. The completed template will be uploaded into Canvas.

Visual Art Project: Stage Two Assignment

The second assignment will be the creation of the piece of art, with accompanying documentation of the process. Based on the plan created for the Visual Art Project: Stage One Assignment, the student will create a piece of artwork that communicates his/her chosen idea. The student must provide at least 7 screenshots/photos depicting the process of the creation of his/her art piece as well as a rough sketch. All images must be embedded into the Process Book Template and submitted as a Word document. The student will also include a description of the tools, programs (if digital), and methods regarding the process of creating his/her artwork.

Visual Art Project: Stage Three Assignment

The third assignment will be a final revision in which the student presents the final product after implementing instructor feedback, and will be accompanied by an explanation of final edits. The final visual must be embedded at 300dpi into the provided Process Book Template. The assignment must be submitted as both a Word and PDF document.

This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module(s): Week(s). Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, allow for 1 attempt, and have a 2-hour time limit. For all 3 quizzes, there will be 10 multiple-choice questions or multiple-answer questions. This assignment aligns with the following FSLOs: CIL 1, 3, and 5.