This course is an introduction to art. The materials and techniques of art, vocabularies, processes and visual principles of organization will form a basis for understanding art. Due to the experiential nature of this program, special attention will be paid to the development of the art and cultures of the Mediterranean basin. Through museum visits, site visits, guided tours, lectures, readings and close examination of actual works of art, we will explore visual themes, issues in iconography and symbolism and learn about the processes of artistic creation.

I. Course Objectives:

• Students will become familiar with, and able to use specialised art vocabularies.
• Students will be able to identify specific art works, art historical styles, national origins, individual artists, and understand the timelines of development.
• Students will develop critical thinking skills relevant to formal analysis and comparison of art works
• Students will learn and be able to discuss how art communicates via iconographic imagery and symbolism
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the funcitons, uses and communications of art

II. Class Sessions:
A majority of class sessions will be held on-site or in museums, in the form of guided tours. You will need to take notes at museums and cultural sites. Other class sessions may be held before or after museum and site visits in order to introduce or discuss major themes, concepts, terms, art forms and techniques.

III. Writing Assignments:
You will be assigned writing exercises exploring themes and topics in European art. All assignments should be kept in your notebook. There will be two notebook evaluations. You will also need to keep detailed notes of your photographic assignments. These notes will help you complete your final photographic project.

IV. Notebook: Use whatever notebook you think can stand up to the abuse of travel. You will to take notes on site, and do some writing assignments on site, and it will probably spend a good chunk of time in your daypack with your snacks, water bottle and other junk when you aren't writing in it. Hardbound just might be a ittle more durable than the spiral-bound style of notebook. Moleskine makes a reporter's notebook that I like a lot because it opens up flat, and the the cover flips out from the top rather than a side-binding-so you have one flat page at a time to work with-and that's perfect for me, but use what suits you. You should have plenty of room for your notes and writing assignments, so a 5"X7" notebook of about 100 pages would be perfect, unless your handwriting is humungous.

V. Photo Assignments and Camera: Your assignments are due after the conclusion of the program. Any camera will do. Be sure that you have some means of storing images,and that you are able to take up to 100 images. (That may sound like a lot, but, for most photographers, only one shot out of ten is a "keeper").You will be submitting your work online. We will discuss the format of your presentation at Orientation in Zurich. This course presupposes no prior knowledge of art nor of photography, and you will not be evaluated on the relative artistic merit of your photographs, but, rather on the demonstration of your understanding of art elements and design.

VI. Quizzes:
There will be two quizzes consisting of image identifications, vocabulary definitions and an essay. The first quiz will cover a timeframe from the Middle Ages through the Modern period. The second quiz will cover the Classical period. The online coursepack will be your study guide for the quizzes.

VII. Required Text:

A. Fine Arts ~ Art and Architecture Coursepack downloadable from the online companion: http://www.emuonline.edu

Further Reading Suggestions:

Jan Morris, *The World of Venice*,
Harcourt and Brace, N.Y. ISBN# 0-15-698356-7

Mary McCarthy, *Venice Observed*,
Harcourt Trade Pub., N.Y. ISBN# 015693521X

Mary McCarthy, *The Stones of Florence*,
Harcourt Tade Pub., N.Y. ISBN# 015685080X)

A. Richard Turner, *Renaissance Florence: The Invention of a New Art*,
Harry N. Abrams Inc. Pub., ISBN# 0-8109-2736-5

Ross King, *Brunelleschi's Dome/ How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture*,
Penguin Books, N.Y. ISBN# 0-14-200015-9

Benvenuto Cellini, *My Life*, Peter Bondanella, Julia Conway, ed.
Oxford World Classic's Series, London ISBN# 0192828495

Nicholas Shrady *Tilt : A Skewed History of the Tower of Pisa*
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 1, 2003)ISBN: 0743229266)

Christopher Hibbert *The House of Medici: Its Rise and Fall*
Publisher: Perennial (June 2, 1999)
ISBN: 0688053394

Anthony Hughes,*Michelangelo* Phaidon Press, NY ISBN# 0 7148 3483 1

Ross King, *Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling* Penguin Books, ISBN# 0142003697

Ascanio Condivi, *Life of Michelangelo*,
Penn State U Press, PA ISBN# 0271018534

Rudolph Wittkower, *Bernini* Publisher: Phaidon Press; 4th edition (September 26, 1997)
ISBN: 0714837156

Roger Jones, Nicholas Penny *Raphael* Publisher: Yale University Press; Reprint edition (September 10, 1987)
* ISBN: 0300040520

Peter Robb, *M: The Man Who Became Caravaggio* Publisher: Picador USA; (February 10, 2001)
ISBN: 0312274742

Paul Zanker, Deborah Lucas Schneider, *Pompeii: Public and Private Life* (Revealing Antiquity , No 11)

Mary Beard and John Henderson, *Classical Art from Greece to Rome* Oxford University Press, ISBN# 0-19-284237-4)

Katherine M. D. Dunbabin *Mosaics of the Greek and Roman World* Publisher: Cambridge University Press; New Ed edition (September 20, 2001) ISBN: 0521002303

John Boardman *The History of Greek Vases* Publisher: Thames & Hudson (May, 2001)
ISBN: 0500237808

---

VIII. Core: The history courses offered will give depth, meaning and context to the art your experience. Please make every effort to understand the art in the context of the historical timeframe.

IX. Grading:
Quiz scores: 40% Writing Assignments: 30% Photo Assignments: 30%

X. Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. Absences will lower your grade.