ARTS 213 American Art and Architecture

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.

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.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

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 forum. Each thread must be at least 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. The student must support his/her assertions with at least one citation and one artwork example. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 100 words. Any sources included in the replies must be cited 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.

Art Chronology Assignments (8)

Each week, students 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. 

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

Virtual Exhibition 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. 

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Reading & Study material for the assigned module: week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 20 multiple-choice questions(6 quizzes) and 10 multiple-choice questions (2 quizzes), and have a 90-minute time limit.