Fall 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ARTS-1301 (Section: 8D, CRN: 93528)
Art Appreciation
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Lacey Wolgast
Email wolgastla@lamarpa.edu
Phone 4099846102
Office
Office Hours Location: Bob Hope High School Rm 239
Office Hours: M-F  8:15- 3:45
Additional Contact Information Location: Bob Hope High School Rm 239 Office Hours: M-F 8:15- 3:45
Course Information
Description A general introduction to the visual arts designed to create an appreciation of the vocabulary, media, techniques, and purposes of the creative process. Students will critically interpret and evaluate works of art (painting, sculpture, architecture) within formal, cultural, and historical contexts.
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
Living with Art by Mark Getlein, 12th Edition
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 13 : 9781260363890
ArtTalk by Rosalind Ragans, Ph.D. 4th edition
Publisher: McGraw Hill Companies
ISBN: 0-07-830599-3

Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes

By the end of this semester, students will be able to:

·       Recognize and analyze the formal elements of art and principles of design.

·       Apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.

·       Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various works of art.

·       Demonstrate critical thinking through analysis and comparison of artworks.

·       Articulate personal responses to art through writing and discussion.


Core Objectives

Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and/or visual communication.

Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.

Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.

Social Responsibility: Students will demonstrate intercultural competency and civic knowledge by engaging effectively in local, regional, national and/or global communities.

Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.


Lecture Topics Outline

 

Week 1 – Course outline

  • Objectives, Syllabus, and Expectations

Week 2 – Introduction to Art

  • What is art? Functions of art in society.
  • Art and aesthetics.

Week 3 – Visual Elements of Art

  • Line, shape, texture, value, color, space, form.

Week 4 – Principles of Design

  • Balance, contrast, unity, rhythm, emphasis, scale, proportion.

Week 5 – Introduction to Mediums

  • Mediums of Drawing, Painting, Printmaking

Week 6 – Introduction to Mediums cont.

  • Mediums of Photography, Digital Art, and Graphic Design

Week 7 – Introduction to Mediums Cont.

  • Mediums of Sculpture, Fiber Art, Installations, and Architecture.

Week 8 – Ancient Art

  • Topics: Prehistoric, Egyptian, Mesopotamian art.

Week 9 – Classical Traditions

  • Topics: Greek, Roman, and early Christian art.

Week 10 – Medieval & Renaissance Art

  • Topics: Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance developments.

Week 11 – Modernism

  • Topics: Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism.

Week 12 - 20th Century Avant-Garde

  • Topics: Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract movements.

Week 13 – Contemporary Art

  • Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, Performance Art.

Week 14 – Thanksgiving Break

Week 15 – Review & Reflection

  • Final Project

Week 16- Final Exam

 


Major Assignments Schedule

 

Due dates and lecture days may change over the course of this semester.

Assignment 1- Quiz: Course Introduction Quiz

Assignment 2 – Writing: What is Art? Students will type a one-page paper on what they think art is.

Assignment 3 – Project: Visual Elements Scavenger Hunt: Photograph or sketch 5 examples of elements in your daily environment.

Assignment 4 – Project: Create a composition (digital or hand-drawn) using 3–4 design principles. Submit with a 1-page explanation.

Assignment 5 - Quiz: on Elements & Principles + Media Basics.

Assignment 6 – Writing: Students will select a work of art from the textbook and write a two-page paper visual analysis over the chosen art. Must include artists name, title of work, the date of work, and the medium used. Students will choose 3 visual elements found in the work, describe them and explain how the artist used the principles of design to incorporate these visual elements into the work of art.

Assignment 7 – Writing: Students will write a compare and contrast essay over art from two different mediums (drawing, painting, printmaking) in a two-page paper.

Assignment 8 – Presentation: Group PowerPoint:  Students will find 5 different illustrations, photographs, or graphic designs, that they believe are meant to convey a social message, sale, or manipulate the viewer. Students will explain the ways in which the elements of graphic design are used to achieve these differing goals.

Assignment 9 – Project: Groups will recreate a local work of art. (mural, sculpture, architecture) The group will present the work to the class and explain what purpose the art fulfills and how people respond to it.

Assignment 10 – Quiz:  Ancient art styles and symbols

Assignment 11- Project/Artist Statement: Students will find a classical sculpted bust and recreate it within a drawing. Students will turn in a written artist statement about the chosen art and their interpretation of it.

Assignment 12 – Presentation: Group PowerPoint – compare medieval vs. Renaissance themes within a work of art from each movement.

Assignment 13 – Writing:  Two-page essay on how Modernism challenged tradition with images included.

Assignment 14 – Project/ Artist Statement: Student will create a digital or hand-drawn artwork inspired by one avant-garde style. Students will hand in a one-page artist statement about their work.

Assignment 15 – Quiz: Ancient art- 20th Century

Assignment 16 – Writing: Students will create a two-page essay. Find an example of a contemporary work of art that relates in some way to ancient works. Explain the connections you observe. “How does contemporary art reflect society today?”

Assignment 17 – Project: Create a mind map that sums up the topics discussed within this course. May included short weekly reflections or sketchbook entries responding to lecture topics and discussions, images, art.

Assignment 18 – Comprehensive Review

Assignment 19 – Final Exam


Final Exam Date December 8, 2025 - 8:45 AM   Through  December 12, 2025 - 8:45 AM
Grading Scale

 90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F


Determination of
Final Grade
Class Discussions: 5%
Sketchbook: 10%
Group Presentations: 15%
Quizzes: 15%
Writing Assignments: 15%
Midterm Exam: 20%
Final Exam: 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

 

Uploading Assignments:

All assignments must be uploaded in the required format.
 

Civility in the Classroom:

Student incivility, rudeness, or attacks of a personal nature will not be tolerated, whether directed at the instructor or another student. Any student engaging in disruptive or disrespectful activities will be taken out of the classroom.
 

Syllabus Change Policy:

I reserve the right to adjust this syllabus, assignments, and due dates as needed.  Any changes will be announced in class and sent as an announcement through the Blackboard system.
 

Academic Integrity:

Academic integrity is essential to learning and I take it very seriously.   Academic dishonesty will not be accepted in this class.  Students are to submit their own work – not the work of others or AI.

Lamar State College - Port Arthur Academic Dishonesty Policy:

Lamar State College-Port Arthur considers academic dishonesty, including collusion, cheating, and plagiarism as defined in the Student Handbook, to be a serious academic offense.  Students guilty of such behavior will be subject to penalties.


Attendance Policy

Attendance

Roll will be taken at the beginning of class. 5 minutes late will mark you tardy. You are responsible for any missing work while absent.


Additional Information
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
Dual Enrollment
Chair:CASP
Email:CASP
Phone:(409) 983-4921