Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: ARTS-1301 (Section: 2C, CRN: 11185)
Art Appreciation
LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Donald Bullock
Email bullockdl@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6520
Office Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center - Room: 144
Office Hours In person before or after class
Additional Contact Information
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.

Living with Art, 12th edition. Author: Mark Getlein. ISBN-13: 978-1259916755 and ISBN-10: 1259916758
Additional Materials/Resources printouts provided in class
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.
Demonstrate knowledge of art elements and principles of design.
Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various works of art.
Critically interpret and evaluate works of art.
Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of arts on culture.
Core Objectives Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and 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.
Lecture Topics Outline Written Assignment
Students will write a one-page (200 word) paper on what they think art is.

Written Assignment
Students should choose an image of an art object from their textbook that they like and explain in a one-page paper why
they think it is a “good” work of art and what it means to them. This image will be used again for other written
assignments to measure their understanding of art terms and visual analysis learned later in the course.


Written Assignment Students should choose an image of an art object from their textbook that they Do NOT like and
explain in a one-page paper why they think it is a bad work of art and what it means to them. This image will be used
again for other written assignments to measure their understanding of art terms and visual analysis learned later in the
course.

Visual elements, the vocabulary of art: line, direction and movement, shape and mass, light,
color, texture and pattern, space, perspective, time and motion. This week also covers the Principles of
Design: unity and variety, balance, emphasis and subordination, scale and proportion, and rhythm.


Quiz on covering assigned reading

Written Assignment
For this week’s assignment, you will select a work of art from the textbook and write a brief one-page visual
analysis for the work. You must include the artist’s name, the title of the work, the date, and the medium. You
will pick three 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.


This  covers the different mediums of drawing, painting, and print making in art and assigns the students to
their presentation groups for the Group presentation


Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
Students will revisit the images they used in their first two written assignments, describe them using their new
understanding of visual elements and principles of design, explain how the works are different from each other and how
they are similar. Finally, the student should note if their views on the two images have changed. This paper is 2 3 pages
in length. This paper will be used to gauge how much the student has learned about engaging a work of art and how well
they use their newfound vocabulary, concepts, and terms.


Group Presentation on a local work of art
The group will select a local (100-mile radius) work of art and create a presentation examining how the artist used
the visual elements in conjunction with the principles of design to create the work. In addition, the group must
explain the significance of the work of art to the local community. This presentation must include the artist’s name,
the title of the work, the date, and the medium as well as an image of the work. This presentation must also
include at least 3 visual elements and two principles
Finally, this project has an individual element for each student. Each student must submit a 1-page (200-word)
paper on why art is important to society.


The mediums of photography, computer arts and graphic design in art.
Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
The student will look through copies of magazines or newspapers and find a graphic designs or illustrations that they
believe is meant to convey a social message and another one that they feel is meant to sell a product. Explain the ways in
which the elements of graphic design are used to achieve these differing goals. 1- 2 pages.


the mediums of sculpture and installation, Architecture, and the subjects of Ritual and Daily life
in art through examining arts and crafts.

Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
Find a work of art that you encounter daily? What purposes do they fulfill? How do we respond to them? 1- 2 pages. This
assignment seeks to prompt the student to start looking at and engaging art in their local community.


the Ancient World, Christianity in Europe, and the Renaissance.
Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
Find an examples of a contemporary work of art that relates in some way to ancient works. Explain the connections you
observe. 1- 2 pages. This assignment encourages the student to begin looking at art in a historical context.


Art in Europe during the 17th and 18th Centuries and the Arts of Africa and Islam.
Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
In what ways does Islamic religious art differ from Christian religious art? What are the uses of text and images in both
cultures in secular and religious art? Can an understanding of the arts and humanities foster better relations between
conflicting cultures and different religions? If so, in what ways might this be accomplished? This assignment encourages
the student to examine art through the lens of the culture that created it and compare and contrast it with art from other
cultures. 1 2 pages.

T
he arts of East Asia, Pacifica, and the Americas.
Quiz covering the reading.

Modern art from 1800 to 1945, Postmodern Art and the globalization of art.
Quiz covering the reading.

Written Assignment
Why was cubism such a break from other established art traditions? 1- 2 pages. This assignment encourages the student to
better understand why art movements happen.


Final Exam Project:
This assignment will consist of THREE submissions: One piece of original art, one artist statement and a link or
printout of the original art you are copying.

For this assignment, choose a piece of art from a book or museum on the internet and copy that artwork to paper
or canvas. You must complete the artwork yourself, no tracing or digital tools allowed.

As with any art projects for this course, the piece must be original for this course (even though it is a copy of
another's work).

Drawings: must be minimum 11" x 14" paper. I suggest larger. No newsprint. Must use white heavyweight art
paper, at least 90 lb. Pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, color pencil, or any sort of mix of those tools.

No Lined paper!!! No Notebook Paper!!
Paintings: must be minimum 11" x 14" canvas or board only. Use as many colors as you think will be needed to
recreate the piece. I recommend using acrylic (most affordable, available) but you may use any other paint (oil,
etc.). Should be applied using brushes but may use other methods. Do not use lined notebook paper under any
circumstances.

This art must be your interpretation of another artist’s work. Your individual skill level doesn't matter, so don't
worry too much about accuracy, but I should be able to see similarities in composition, coloring, etc.

You must also submit an artist statement. An artist’s statement is simply you telling me why you created what
you did. It should be a minimum of 200 words and include any thoughts on the process or problems
Major Assignments Schedule All work, quizzes, and tests can either be typed or handwritten
The due dates and lecture days may change over the course of the semester.
Week 1: Course outline: This week introduces a brief overview of the class, reviews the syllabus, helps the
students get their books, assigns written homework assignment due next week, assigns reading for this week
(syllabus), assigns reading for next week (Chapter 1), and explains to the students what is expected of them this
semester.
Written Assignment
Students will write a one-page (200 word) paper on what they think art is.
Weeks 2: Includes lectures covering chapter 1, assigns reading for next week (Chapters 2 and 3) and assigns
Written homework assignment due next week.

Written Assignment
Students should choose an image of an art object from their textbook that they like and explain in a one-page paper why
they think it is a “good” work of art and what it means to them. This image will be used again for other written
assignments to measure their understanding of art terms and visual analysis learned later in the course.

Weeks 3: This week covers chapters 2 and 3, Written homework assignment due next week, and assigns reading
for next week (Chapters 4 and 5).

Written Assignment Students should choose an image of an art object from their textbook that they Do NOT like and
explain in a one-page paper why they think it is a bad work of art and what it means to them. This image will be used
again for other written assignments to measure their understanding of art terms and visual analysis learned later in the
course.

Week 4:
This week covers Visual elements, the vocabulary of art: line, direction and movement, shape and mass, light,
color, texture and pattern, space, perspective, time and motion. This week also covers the Principles of
Design: unity and variety, balance, emphasis and subordination, scale and proportion, and rhythm.

Quiz on covering assigned reading from weekend.
This week’s Written Assignment due and assign next week’s written assignment.
Assigned reading for next week chapters 6, 7, and 8.
Written Assignment
For this week’s assignment, you will select a work of art from the textbook and write a brief one-page visual
analysis for the work. You must include the artist’s name, the title of the work, the date, and the medium. You
will pick three 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.

Week 5:
This week covers the different mediums of drawing, painting, and print making in art and assigns the students to
their presentation groups for the Group presentation given on Week 8.

Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Reading for next week Chapters 9 and 10.
Written Assignment
Students will revisit the images they used in their first two written assignments, describe them using their new
understanding of visual elements and principles of design, explain how the works are different from each other and how
they are similar. Finally, the student should note if their views on the two images have changed. This paper is 2 3 pages
in length. This paper will be used to gauge how much the student has learned about engaging a work of art and how well
they use their newfound vocabulary, concepts, and terms.

Group Presentation on a local work of art
The group will select a local (100-mile radius) work of art and create a presentation examining how the artist used
the visual elements in conjunction with the principles of design to create the work. In addition, the group must
explain the significance of the work of art to the local community. This presentation must include the artist’s name,
the title of the work, the date, and the medium as well as an image of the work. This presentation must also
include at least 3 visual elements and two principles
Finally, this project has an individual element for each student. Each student must submit a 1-page (200-word)
paper on why art is important to society.

Week 6:
This week covers the mediums of photography, computer arts and graphic design in art.
Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Reading for next week Chapters 11, 12, and 13.
Students will break into their groups and work on their presentations.
Written Assignment
The student will look through copies of magazines or newspapers and find a graphic designs or illustrations that they
believe is meant to convey a social message and another one that they feel is meant to sell a product. Explain the ways in
which the elements of graphic design are used to achieve these differing goals. 1- 2 pages.

Week 7:
This week covers the mediums of sculpture and installation, Architecture, and the subjects of Ritual and Daily life
in art through examining arts and crafts.

Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Written Assignment
Find a work of art that you encounter daily? What purposes do they fulfill? How do we respond to them? 1- 2 pages. This
assignment seeks to prompt the student to start looking at and engaging art in their local community.

Week 8:
Work on Group Presentations
Week 9:
Present Group Presentations
next week Chapters 14, 15, and 16.
Week 10:
This week examines the Ancient World, Christianity in Europe, and the Renaissance.
Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Assign reading for next week Chapters 17 and 18.
Written Assignment
Find an examples of a contemporary work of art that relates in some way to ancient works. Explain the connections you
observe. 1- 2 pages. This assignment encourages the student to begin looking at art in a historical context.

Week 11:
This week examines art in Europe during the 17th and 18th Centuries and the Arts of Africa and Islam.
Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Assigned reading for next week Chapters 19 and 20.
Written Assignment
In what ways does Islamic religious art differ from Christian religious art? What are the uses of text and images in both
cultures in secular and religious art? Can an understanding of the arts and humanities foster better relations between
conflicting cultures and different religions? If so, in what ways might this be accomplished? This assignment encourages
the student to examine art through the lens of the culture that created it and compare and contrast it with art from other
cultures. 1 2 pages.

Week 12:
This week examines the arts of East Asia, Pacifica, and the Americas.
Quiz covering the reading.
Assign reading for next week.
Reading for next week Chapter 21 and 22.
Week 13:
This week examines Modern art from 1800 to 1945, Postmodern Art and the globalization of art.
Quiz covering the reading.
This week’s Written Assignment due.
Assign reading for next week.
Assign Group Presentation for Week 14
Written Assignment
Why was cubism such a break from other established art traditions? 1- 2 pages. This assignment encourages the student to
better understand why art movements happen.

Final Exam Project:
This assignment will consist of THREE submissions: One piece of original art, one artist statement and a link or
printout of the original art you are copying.

For this assignment, choose a piece of art from a book or museum on the internet and copy that artwork to paper
or canvas. You must complete the artwork yourself, no tracing or digital tools allowed.

As with any art projects for this course, the piece must be original for this course (even though it is a copy of
another's work).

Drawings: must be minimum 11" x 14" paper. I suggest larger. No newsprint. Must use white heavyweight art
paper, at least 90 lb. Pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, crayon, color pencil, or any sort of mix of those tools.

No Lined paper!!! No Notebook Paper!!
Paintings: must be minimum 11" x 14" canvas or board only. Use as many colors as you think will be needed to
recreate the piece. I recommend using acrylic (most affordable, available) but you may use any other paint (oil,
etc.). Should be applied using brushes but may use other methods. Do not use lined notebook paper under any
circumstances.

This art must be your interpretation of another artist’s work. Your individual skill level doesn't matter, so don't
worry too much about accuracy, but I should be able to see similarities in composition, coloring, etc.

You must also submit an artist statement. An artist’s statement is simply you telling me why you created what
you did. It should be a minimum of 200 words and include any thoughts on the process or problems
encountered. What was your intent and were you satisfied with the outcome?

Please contact me with any questions.
Week 14: Work on Final Project
Week 15:
Work on Final Project start presenting final projects in class.
Week 16:
Final project presented in class
Final Exam Date May 8, 2025 - 9:59 AM   Through  May 14, 2025 - 1:59 PM
Grading Scale
Determination of
Final Grade
Classroom and Group Discussions - 10%
Group Presentations (2 total) - 20% (10% each)
Quizzes (10 total) - 10% (1% each)
Writing Assignments (10 total) - 20% (2% each)
Mid-Term Exam - 20%
Final Exam - 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies Any student that drops below a 70% will need to go to tutoring or not be allowed to turn in extra credit
Attendance Policy Per LSCPA
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
Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
Chair:Dr. Blas Canedo Gonzalez
Email:canedoba@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6547