Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School
District 233

999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor, IL 60422
(708) 799-3000
 
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Course Syllabus
Advanced Placement Studio Art

I Course Information
Course Number: 6082
Level: Honors
Department: Fine Arts

II Course Description
Prerequisite: Teacher Consent and Portfolio review
Open to: Seniors
Length: Year
Credit: 1
Summary:
The Advanced Placement Art History Program enables highly motivated students to do college level work while still in high school. This course is designed to prepare students for the administration of the Advanced Placement History of Art examination. In the course, students examine major forms of artistic expression in a variety of cultures beginning with the prehistoric era and continuing to the present. The focus of the course is on the history of the processes of the different periods and cultures studied which exposes the students to some studio art experience, and to historic research. Course activities include viewing of artwork, lecture, independent research, on-site visits of artwork, studio projects, and critical analysis of the topics studied. This course requires a high level of commitment by the student and can result in college credit for those who perform successfully on the Advanced Placement History of Art examination. No prior experience in the history of art or studio art is assumed for those students who take the course. Students who have done well in other courses in the humanities, such as history and literature, or in any of the studio arts are especially encouraged to enroll.


III Course Goals

Develop your skills in observing and reproducing images from life. ~Students will continue to develop their studio skills through practice and discussion.

Express the personal experiences and values in your artwork through written and visual critiques. ~Students will incorporate the basic language of art (Elements and Principles of Design) to engage in meaningful and insightful conversations of student as well as historic works of art.

Develop an appreciation for a personalized and individual art process as well as the art processes of others. Students will participate in the written and verbal critique and discussion of their own, peers and historic works of art.

Understand how historic and current events in life interchange and flourish within art at a personal as well as global level.  Discussion of specific art styles, attitudes and processes in student written and visual work, gallery visits and slide preparation presented in a critique format.
 

IV Textbooks and Materials
*No textbook is used for class.
*For this class you will need:
        A notebook or folder to keep handouts and assignments and a sketchbook.
*Students will be provided with consumables and a classroom art kit. Each student is responsible for returning the class art kit at the end of the course. If materials are missing from the kit, students will be changed a replacement fee.

V  Course Outline
SEMESTER I
 
Unit I: Introduction to the AP Experience. (NA-VA.9-12.2 & NA-VA.9-12.1)
 
1)      Students should understand the concept of the elements and principles of art and design by critiquing summer assignments:
        a)      Apply and defend terms in the organization and creation of personal artwork.
2)      Students will be introduced to schedules, time management strategies, and class procedures
 

 
Unit II:        The AP Portfolio and its’ Options ((NA-VA.9-12.2 & NA-VA.9-12.1)
 
1)      Students will be introduced to the AP portfolio options; Drawing, 2-D Design, or 3-D Design:
2)      Students should understand the make up of the AP portfolio:
        a)      Quality – (5) pieces showing mastery of technical ability.
        b)      Breadth – (12) pieces showing a range of concept, medium, and applications.
        c)      Concentration – (12) pieces that are connected by theme and style.
                
 
Unit III:       The  AP Quality, Breadth and Concentration (NA-VA.9-12.2 & NA-VA.9-12.1)
 

1)      Students should understand and identify a quality piece of art.
2)      Students should be able to show proficiency in the application of multiple media, and various topics through their breadth pieces.
3)      Students should understand the connections between personal identity and the creative process through their concentration pieces by:
        a)      Developing a personal theme through research and reflection of personal experiences; a                  concentration.
        b)      Creating work that explores this personal theme in a visual context.
        c)      Experimenting with alternative processes and techniques to develop the best media connecting            concept to content.

Unit IV:        
Art Production (NA-VA.9-12.1 & NA-VA.9-12.3 & NA-VA.9-12.5)
1)      Students will develop good studio practices by:
        a)      Researching published artists and artwork applying information to personal art work.
        b)      Utilizing studio time to create breadth and concentration pieces.
        c)      Reading various art related articles on contemporary topics in the art community and reflecting on their importance or relationship to the AP portfolio.
                
Unit V: Art Assessment  (NA-VA.9-12.4 & NA-VA.9-12.5)
1)      Students should understand the assessment process of the art making experience by:
        a)      Defining the four step process of critiquing
                i)      Description, analysis, interpretation and judgment
2)      Identifying and applying self-assessment tools to create strong visuals with intention and implications of various purposes.
3)      Describing the meaning of art through the analysis of the organization of elements and principles of art and design.
4)      Reflecting on the various interpretations as a means for a better understanding and evaluating of artwork.
5)      Students should be able to show proficiency and independence in the application of unit five concepts to the art making experience by:
        a)      Creating a theme based concentration or body of work focusing on clarity of ideas and craftsmanship.

Major Assessments:
First Semester Final Exam

SEMESTER II
Unit VI:        
Art Production  (NA-VA.9-12.1 & NA-VA.9-12.3 & NA-VA.9-12.5)

1)      Students should gain an understanding of communication through visual symbols by:
        a)      Researching historical implications of communicating ideas.
        b)      Comparing historical content to contemporary content.
                i)      Comparative/ contrast presentations
2)      Students should be able to show proficiency and independence in the application of unit six concepts to the art making experience by:
        a)      Creating a theme based concentration or body of work focusing on clarity of ideas and craftsmanship.
 

 
Unit VII:       Making Visual Connections (NA-VA.9-12.3 & NA-VA.9-12.4)
1)      Students will should understand the human need to create by:
        a)      Exploring the psychology behind the need to create.
        b)      Recognizing the concept of aesthetics and the implications within a historical and cultural context.
2)      Students should be able to show proficiency and independence in the application of unit seven concepts to the art making experience by:
        a)      Creating a theme based concentration or body of work focusing on clarity of ideas and craftsmanship.

Unit VIII:      Documenting Your Work (NA-VA.9-12.1 & NA-VA.9-12.6)
1)      Students should be able to document the artist concentration by:
        a)      Creating a portfolio organizing and recording progress.
                i)      Traditional slide documentation
                ii)     Digital documentation
                iii)    Verbal presentation
        b)      Writing an artist statement the embodies the purpose and intent of a theme based body of work
        c)      Exhibiting artwork within the school and in the community.
2)      Students should be able to evaluate a body of work by:
        a)      Assessing the entire concentration as a whole body of work.
3)      Students should be able to show proficiency and independence in the application of all unit concepts to the art making experience by:
        a)      Creating a theme based concentration or body of work focusing on clarity of ideas and craftsmanship

Unit IX:        Bringing Art Full Circle, from Production to Exhibition (NA-VA.9-12.6)
4)      Students learn about the importance of exhibiting work through:
        a)      Learning to prepare work for exhibition.
                i)      Matting and labeling
                ii)     Written artist statements
        b)      Learning to organize and hang an exhibit.
        c)      Reflecting on the art making experience from the stages of conception to the celebration of the completion
 


(Parents and students: please consult individual teachers for grading policies, extra credit info, class procedures, etc.)

 

 

For more information about these pages,
contact Mr. David Thieman, Director of Human Resources: dthieman@hfhighschool.org