Course Description
Understanding the diverse artistic contributions of various cultures to American art through language and history, while studying two- and three-dimensional media and practices to enhance aesthetic appreciation for visual culture, one’s own creative expression and the evaluation of power and representation in art.
Athena Title
Cultural Diversity Amer Art
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in ARTS 2050
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students enrolled in this course will understand and recognize culturally diverse artistic contributions, analyzing visual art media and cultural identities in addition to understanding aesthetics, power, privilege and representation.
- Students enrolled in this course will understand what art is in relation to cultural diversity by learning about historical and social contexts of black, indigenous, people of color and multicultural backgrounds.
- Students enrolled in this course will examine how art reflects and shapes cultural identities and how artists’ backgrounds often influence their artwork further recognizing the importance of cultural equity and inclusion for artists and audiences of all backgrounds.
- Students enrolled in this course will understand the role of power and representation in art, further analyzing the concept of cultural appropriation and how it has been used to marginalize other cultures.
- Students enrolled in this course will analyze two-and three-dimensional visual art media through vocabularies related to visual elements and principles of design, further enhancing aesthetic appreciation.
Topical Outline
- The first half of the semester is devoted to exploring aesthetic appreciation, critical evaluative processes and the visual languages of cultural diversity in American art in addition to identifying various two- and three- dimensional art practices.
- The second half of the semester, students will understand major cultural and social art historical periods and movements which strengthen the ability to evaluate, compare and critique works of art in addition to exploring their own creativity and culture by expressing themselves through art.
- Course content is presented via lectures, films, studio projects and discussions. Final course grades consist of creative projects, weekly homework assignments, a museum critique paper and two exams (midterm and final).
Institutional Competencies
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
Social Awareness & Responsibility
The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.
