This course explores visual art forms and their cultural connections across historical periods, designed for students with little experience in the visual arts. It includes brief studies in art history and in-depth inquiry into the elements, media, and methods used in a range of creative processes. At the beginning of this course, we will study a five-step system for developing an understanding of visual art in all forms, based on:
- Description: A work of art from an objective point of view – its physical attributes and formal construction.
- Analysis: A detailed look at a work of art that combines physical attributes with subjective statements based on the viewer’s reaction to the work.
- Context: Historical, religious, or environmental information that surrounds a particular work of art and which helps to understand the work’s meaning.
- Meaning: A statement of the work’s content. A message or narrative to express the subject matter.
- Judgment: A critical point of view about a work of art concerning its aesthetic or cultural value.
After completing this course, you will be able to interpret works of art based on this five-step system, explain the processes involved in artistic production, identify the many kinds of issues that artists examine in their work, and explain the role and effect of the visual arts in different social, historical and cultural contexts.
First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking “Enroll me”. Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.
Curriculum
- 1 Section
- 1 Lesson
- 10 Weeks
- Unit 1: Defining ArtHow do we define art? For many people, art is a tangible thing: a painting, sculpture, photograph, dance, poem, or play. Art is uniquely human and tied directly to culture. As an expressive medium, art allows us to experience a wide range of emotions, such as joy or sorrow, confusion or clarity. Art gives voice to ideas and feelings, connects us to the past, reflects the present, and anticipates the future. Visual art is a rich and complex subject, and its definition is in flux as the culture around it changes. This unit examines how art is defined and the different ways it functions in societies and cultures. Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours. Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to: distinguish between the form and content of an artwork; explain aesthetics and the role it plays in different cultural conventions and perspectives; explain the difference between subjective and objective responses to art; define the categories of art, such as fine art, pop art, and decorative art; recognize, describe, and evaluate artistic styles, such as naturalistic, abstract, and non-objective; and discuss the capacity to reflect personally on art.1
Instructor
