ART 3213 (LUOA), ARTS 213 (LUO): American Art and Architecture

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 05/08/2026

Course Description

Focusing on painting and sculpture in the United States, this course offers a survey of American art from the colonial settlements to the early 20th century. The unique social, political and intellectual contexts of American art provide the basis for understanding the history and art of our own culture.

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

Rationale

America has a distinct culture from other Western countries. It has been influenced by pre-Columbian cultures, colonization, the founding of the United States, and a rich history of immigration from past to present. This “melting pot of ideas” has produced a distinctly American culture, which has gone from back-water mimic to artistic world-leader. To understand the distinctives of American art, one must understand how this culture came to be.

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.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The student must support his/her assertions with at least one artwork example and cite the artwork with at least one scholarly citation in current MLA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words and incorporate at least one scholarly citation in current MLA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include the course textbook, credible art history websites, the Bible and/or other books.

American Art Chronology Assignments (8)

Each week, the student will create an Art Chronology that includes a visual component showcasing the artworks and a written component that synthesizes each work within the historical context of the relevant movements and artists. For each assignment, the student will choose 3 art works from varying movements or styles covered in the weekly reading. For each work of art, the student will write a short summary of at least 100 words to demonstrate his/her knowledge of the art object, the culture in which it was produced, and how it fits into the history of American art. An MLA works cited section is required. 

The student will complete interactive activities that allow him/her to explore a visual analysis of the selected artworks.

The student will complete an AI Art Piece Assignment, which will allow him/her to reflect on a social subject through art, as seen throughout the class. AI will be used to create the art piece, which the student researches, uses AI to create and then reflects on. The written reflection must be at least 300 words. 

Virtual Exhibition: The American Art Tradition Assignment

The student will compose a thematic exhibition of various artworks studied throughout the course and also provide historical context regarding each artwork and the social fabric from which it emerged. The student must research and choose 6 works of art and include a summary of at least 200 words for each work. The student will also include a 300-word introduction. In closing, the student will include a Bible verse that helps the audience meditate on what is good, true and beautiful and frames the art works in a Christian worldview. An MLA formatted works cited page is required. 

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned module: week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain a range of 10-20 multiple-choice, true/false, and matching questions, have a 1-hour and 30-minute time limit, and allow 1 attempt.