Art Appreciation Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

ARTS-1301-040 Art Appreciation

Prerequisites

Course 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 within formal, cultural and historical contexts.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Tech Supported

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

No textbook is required.

Supplies

Pens, pencils, notebook paper or notebook for note taking, access to a computer to complete online assignments and review class material.

Student Performance

ARTS 1301 Art Appreciation
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 within formal, cultural, and historical contexts.

Learning Outcomes (ACGM)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

1. Apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of art elements and principles of design.
3. Differentiate between the processes and materials used in the production of various works of art.
4. Critically interpret and evaluate works of art.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of arts on culture.

Specific Course Outcomes:
1. Students will demonstrate effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship of the Visual Arts and Social Responsibility.
3. Students will understand the visual elements and principles.
4. Students will apply art terminology as it specifically relates to works of art.
5. Students will demonstrate knowledge of materials and techniques developed by artists over the centuries.
6. Students will understand the general characteristics of major art periods or styles.
7. Students will analyze works of art formally and conceptually.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

• ACCESSING OUR AC CONNECT BLACKBOARD COURSE AND ATTENDING REQUIRED ONLINE ZOOM MEETINGS TWICE A WEEK: This is a tech supported course, so students are responsible for accessing and navigating our AC Connect Blackboard course successfully and student are expected to attend our required online Zoom meeting twice a week. Our course content is delivered online through our AC Connect Blackboard course, and we discuss course topics in our required weekly Zoom meetings. 
  • To access our AC Connect Blackboard course: There is a link to AC Connect on the top of the Amarillo College website page - www.actx.edu . Click on the AC Connect link and once you are on the AC Connect Portal page, click on the "Blackboard" link on the left side menu. Login to Blackboard using your ACNetID ID and password (this is the universal ID and password assigned to you by the college). If you are having trouble logging in to AC Connect and/or Blackboard, please try a different browser. Call AskAC at 806-371-5000 if you need login or password assistance.  Once you are logged in to Blackboard, click on “Courses” on the left side menu and you will see a page with the AC Connect classes you are enrolled in. Search for our course and then click on our course link to access our AC Connect Blackboard course.
  • Our regularly scheduled required Zoom meetings are twice a week during our scheduled class times. (Note: this does not require a student to come to an Amarillo College campus for any portion of the course). Students are required to attend our regularly scheduled Zoom classes twice a week to go over our unit assignments and other course information. Attendance is taken during Zoom meetings and reported to the college.
  • I will email you our Zoom meeting information as soon as the course begins, and I will also post Zoom meeting information in our course announcements as soon as the course begins – so check your AC email or our course announcements when the course begins!
  • See our course Calendar below for our required Zoom meeting dates and times. If you need help getting started with Zoom - see Zoom help and tutorials: Official Zoom Support | Help Center
• CHECK YOUR AC EMAIL: Students are responsible for checking their AC email. Once the course begins, I will email you all information on getting started in the course. It is very important that you all check your AC email frequently as that is the main way I communicate with you.
• KEEP UP WITH OUR COURSE CALENDAR: Students are responsible for checking the course calendar every week. When you access the course: check the course calendar for course work deadlines each week; read all information pertaining to unit assignments, exams, and the Team Project; participate in assigned discussions and complete all course work on time to ensure success in the course. 
• STUDENT QUESTIONS. Students are responsible for contacting the instructor with any questions or concerns about the course. Students are encouraged to ask the instructor questions or get feedback. The instructor’s response time is usually within 24 hours on weekdays, and the instructor checks the course for email at least once on the weekend and holidays. Remember, the instructor is not a mind-reader, and communication is very important for success in the course!
• STUDENT CONDUCT IN THE COURSE: Students are responsible for appropriate conduct in the course. Students are identified in course logins, coursework accessed, coursework submissions, exams, and emails submitted to the instructor. All course activity can be identified and accessed by the instructor and AC Connect administrators. You are expected to refrain from any obscene or threatening dialogue in the assignment discussions, assignments, projects, and any correspondence with the instructor or other students in the class. If a student violates this expectation, it will result in a grade of "0" for that discussion, assignment, or project, will influence your grade, and can result in disciplinary action from the college. The instructor reserves the right to delete any student post in an assignment discussion. Students are expected to report any inappropriate behavior in the course to the instructor immediately. Any violation of the appropriate conduct listed above will be noted by the instructor and considered in your grade as well as lead to possible disciplinary action or possible expulsion from the course.
• MANDATORY TUTORING IF A STUDENT'S GRADE FALLS BELOW 75%: the college requires mandatory tutoring if a student's grade falls below 75%. Most likely, that means you will work individually with me to catch up with missing work and improve your grade. In cases where a student is unresponsive to working individually with me, I will refer the student to the appropriate campus tutoring center for them to complete their mandatory tutoring.
• PLAGIARISM: The student understands that plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class. Plagiarism is defined by the Amarillo College Student Handbook as: “...the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.” This also includes copying Internet or written sources in any course assignment discussions or projects without citing the source, as well as copying another student’s work for this course. If a student is found plagiarizing any material in the course, it will result in a grade of "0" for that assignment discussion or project and can result in disciplinary action and expulsion of the student from the course.
• COURSE CONTENT: Students understand that in the study of art styles and art history that occasionally there may be a tasteful representation of a nude (such as in Greek Classical Art) and agree to handle that content in a mature and responsible way.
• TECHNICAL HELP WITH THE COURSE: Students are responsible for seeking technical help from the instructor and from the following student help resources. See the Student Help Resources links I have provided below. You can also call and ask AskAC with general questions about technical support at 806-371-5000.
• TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: Students are responsible for having the minimum computer requirements. Students must have regular access to a computer with the following:
  • Current or very recent version of Windows or Mac operating system.
  • File types I can accept (I have a PC) - files such as doc., docs., txt., pdf., rtf., that will open on a PC. My PC can't open .pages files.
  • Internet Service Provider (ISP) capable of supplying at least 56k connection speed.
  • Email account and more specifically, checking your AC email frequently as this is how I will often communicate with you.
  • Supported web browsers: Firefox, Google Chrome, and Firefox works the best. 
  • Browser settings for your AC Connect course: Make sure that JavaScript in enabled in your browser. Make sure that you allow pop windows in our browser for your AC Connect course. If your browser warns you that there is a pop-up window anywhere in our AC Connect course, choose "allow" for the pop-up window.
  • Screen resolution of at least 800 x 600.
  • Students are responsible for downloading plug-ins as needed and having access to a computer that can view all materials in our AC Connect course. Students may be required to get the following plug-ins (free versions and all are safe):
  • Access to YouTube videos is required. Students are responsible for obtaining access to YouTube videos that the instructor specifically links to on the YouTube website. The instructor is not responsible for the content of YouTube videos that are not specifically linked from the course. Links to YouTube videos are constantly changing, so the instructor needs to be informed of any broken links to YouTube videos that are specifically linked to from the course.
  • Students are required to create a Zoom account, navigate Zoom successfully, and attend our weekly required class Zoom meetings. See our course Calendar below for our required Zoom meeting dates and times. See Zoom help and tutorials on the Zoom website for help with Zoom: Official Zoom Support | Help Center

Grading Criteria

The final grade is based on a total of 100 possible points that the student can earn through completing assignments, midterm and final exam, a Team Project, as well as other grade considerations mentioned below.
90 - 100 points = A
80 - 89 points = B
70 - 79 points = C
60 - 69 points = D
0 - 59 points = F

• Midterm Exam: worth up to 10 points. A Midterm Exam is required for the course and is given approximately halfway through the course. The exam consists of multiple-choice art vocabulary questions covered in unit assignments. The Midterm Exam Review is available in the Midterm Exam folder when the course begins. Exams must be taken during the designated. Exams may be made up at the discretion of the instructor if the student makes arrangements with the instructor.
• Final Exam: worth up to 10 points. A Final Exam Review is required for the course and is given near the end of the course. The exam consists of multiple-choice art vocabulary questions covered in unit assignments. The Final Exam Review is available in the Final Exam folder when the course begins. Exams must be taken during the designated time. Exams may be made up at the discretion of the instructor if the student makes arrangements with the instructor.
• Team Project: worth up to 20 points. The Team Project is due near the end of the course. Information and guidelines for the Team Project will be available in our AC Connect course later in the semester. The Team Project must follow the Team Project guidelines provided in the course.
• Unit Discussion Assignments: worth 10 points each. There are 6 reading and writing unit assignment discussions that will be assigned through the course. Total possible points for all the discussion assignments are 60 points.
  VERY IMPORTANT: It is important that you submit your first Unit 1 assignment on time. Your active status in the course depends on your submission of your first assignment by the due date and before the AC Census Date for this course (see the syllabus calendar below for the AC Census Date). If you do not submit your first Unit 1 assignment by the due date (at least a partial assignment), I will report you as inactive in the course and Amarillo College will automatically drop you from the course.

• Extra Credit – There are 13 required Zoom meeting throughout the course. If you attend 11 or more of the required Zoom meetings throughout the course (and you must be present and actively participate in each meeting), you will receive up to 3 points extra credit which is applied to your overall grade at the end of the course. 

Important Grading Information:

• AC Connect Course Grade book: Your course grades in our course are accessed through the “Gradebook” link on the top course menu in our AC Connect Blackboard course as well as other access points within AC Connect. Your individual course points earned for discussion assignments, exams, and the Team Project will appear in your gradebook as well as a running grade percentage for the course.
• Due Dates and Submission of Course Work: You will complete your course work through our AC Connect Blackboard course. Students are responsible for checking their AC Connect Course Calendar in the course each week for specific course due dates (dates are subject to change). Students are responsible for submitting required work in unit discussions, submitting a required Team Project with their assigned Team Project group, and taking the course exams required exams in our AC Connect course by the due dates. Assignment discussion forums and exams are locked (and unavailable) after the due date. Please contact the instructor if you are having trouble keeping up in the course due to personal issues, a medical or family emergency, problems understanding course work, or experiencing technical difficulties in the course.
• Mandatory Tutoring If a student's grade average falls below 75%: the college requires mandatory tutoring if a student's grade falls below 75%. Most likely, that means you will work individually with me to catch up with missing work and improve your grade. In cases where a student is unresponsive to working individually with me, I will refer the student to the appropriate campus tutoring center for them to complete their mandatory tutoring.
• Please note:
  • Your course work (unit assignments, exams, and team project) is submitted through our AC Connect Blackboard course.
  • You do not have a textbook for this course. Your unit assignments and unit folders contain the information and resources that you need for each assignment.
  • Your course work (including unit assignments, exams, and the Team Project) are not available to you until the “available” date on the course calendar and your syllabus calendar. 
  • Unit assignment discussion forums for each assignment and exams close and are not available after the due dates. I do not reopen unit assignment discussion forums after the due date, but if you want to email me unit work after the due date, you can email/message it to me.
  • Unit assignments are available after they are assigned and then they remain available so that if you want to make up missing assignments after the due date, you can complete your assignment and email/message it to me after the due date.
  • If you miss an exam, you can request a make up exam, but you have to contact me.
• Required File Formats for Course Work: Students are responsible for saving text files that they submit as an attachment in our AC Connect course in the following file types: doc, docx, txt, pdf, rtf. I can’t open .pages files, so don’t use this file type for course work. This allows anyone to open the file without having a specific text editing program.
• Backing up Course Work: students are responsible for saving backup copies of their unit assignments, the term project, and any email communication in AC Connect on their own computer hard drive - this ensures a backup copy of all student work in the course in case of a technical malfunction in our AC Connect Blackboard course.
• Grading Time: It may take me up to one week after the due date to grade submitted coursework. The student is responsible for checking his/her online grade book (“My Grades” on the Course menu) in AC Connect to make sure that grades for coursework have been posted after one week following the due date and contacting the instructor about any questions regarding grades.
• Withdrawing From the Course: The student is responsible for contacting the instructor to approve the student's withdrawal request form before the last day to drop a course if the need arises. See the Amarillo College master calendar on the AC website and our course calendar for the date of the last day to drop a course. The college will not allow students to withdraw from a course after the last day to drop a course.
  Dual Credit students are expected to contact their high school advisor and/or AC Dual Credit (dualcredit@actx.edu) before withdrawing from the course.

Attendance

This course is a tech supported course which means that instruction is delivered over the Internet through Amarillo College’s AC Connect Blackboard course, and we have regularly scheduled required Zoom meetings twice a week during our scheduled class times. (Note: this does not require a student to come to an Amarillo College campus for any portion of the course.)

Students are required to access our AC Blackboard course several times per week to complete and submit course work, and keep up with course due dates posted in the Course Calendar and in the Course Syllabus. 

Students are also required to attend our regularly scheduled Zoom classes twice a week to go over our unit assignments and other course information. Attendance is taken during Zoom meetings and reported to the college.

I will email you our Zoom meeting information as soon as the course begins, and I will also post Zoom meeting information in our course announcements as soon as the course begins – so check your AC email or our course announcements when the course begins!

See our course Calendar below for our required Zoom meeting dates and times. If you need help getting started with Zoom - see Zoom help and tutorials: Official Zoom Support | Help Center

Calendar

Additional Information

Student Help Resources:

• Center for Teaching and Learning Student and Faculty Help Center - www.actx.edu/ctl/helpcenter
• Center For Teaching and Learning - www.actx.edu/ctl/
• Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help
• AskAC - www.actx.edu/contact-us/
• Academic Success Center - www.actx.edu/successcenters/index.php
• Advocacy and Resource Center - www.actx.edu/arc/index.php
• Career & Employment Services - www.actx.edu/career/
• Advising Home Page - www.actx.edu/advising/

Blackboard 101: Many students need more technical assistance with the new Blackboard Ultra. Blackboard 101 is an optional self-paced Blackboard tutorial course to help familiarize students with the workings and mechanics of Blackboard Ultra. See The Blackboard Student Help Page - www.actx.edu/ctl/blackboard-student-help - for more information about Blackboard 101.

Copyright Notice: Students must be aware and responsible for the Copyright Notice for the course: The materials on this course website are only for the use of students enrolled in this course for the purposes associated with this course and may not be retained or further disseminated.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu.  Reports and additional information are available at www.amarillocollege.net/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

The course syllabus and the course supply list are subject to change as needed.