Fine Arts Appreciation Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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

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Course

HUMA-1315-004 Fine Arts Appreciation

Prerequisites

Course Description

This course is an exploration of the purposes and processes in the visual and performing arts (such as music, painting, architecture, drama and dance) and the ways in which they express the values of cultures and human experience.

Student ResourcesStudent 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Textbook is not required; All content materials will be self-contained within the course Blackboard site 

Supplies

REQUIRED: Access to a computer to complete content requirements

Other Materials: dictionary, pens, pencils, notebook paper or notebook for note taking.  Access to film rentals and library materials may be necessary for successful completion of this course.

Student Performance

Course Description

This course is an exploration of the purposes and processes in the visual and performing arts (such as music, painting, architecture, drama, and dance) and the ways in which they express the values of cultures and human experience.

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

1. Employ formal elements and principles to critically analyze various works of the visual and performing arts. Critical Thinking
2. Articulate the creative process of artistic works as expressions of human experience and cultural values. Communication
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the aesthetic principles that guide the creation of, and response to, the arts. Social Responsibility
4. Describe the relationship of the arts to everyday life. Personal Responsibility

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student 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

Academic Honesty: All matters of academic dishonesty including plagiarism (the act of copying and pasting information from one source and inserting into a paper without proper citations, rewriting information from another source and inserting into a paper with proper citations, copying and rewriting from another student’s work and using as your own), collusion, fabrication, cheating etc. will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question.

All violations will be forwarded to the proper college authorities for review. Any form of disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who cheat, copy, or plagiarize any of the required essays, assignments and analyses will receive a zero (0) for the assignment and the Final Grade for the course will be reduced by one letter grade (A to B, B to C, C to D, D to F)

Students who violate the Academic Honesty will not be allowed to complete any extra-credit to improve the final grade.

In-class and Online Student Behavior: All students are expected to be polite and considerate when discussing or posting opinions and thoughts in the Group and Individual Discussion Forum. The class is not a location where students may state or post aggressive, insulting, or inappropriate use of language. Any student who violates the required Student Behavior (as stated and in the AC Student Handbook) will result in a failing grade for the course.

Policy Concerning Sensitive Subject Matter: In the college experience, students encounter diverse views and new subject matter, which expand their knowledge and perspective. In all Humanities or Philosophy courses, we might observe, read and discuss some works with subject matter that could include (but not limited to) death, violence, sexuality, race potentially offensive language, and political or religious viewpoints different from your own. If any sensitive subject matter is a concern for you, please arrange a meeting with the instructor.

Grading Criteria

Grading Criteria: It is the student’s responsibility to complete all assigned tasks by the specified due date. Individual assignments are evaluated by the instructor.  Incomplete assignments, analyses, participation and attendance concerns will be reported to specific department chairs, division chairs, and Associate Vice President of Instruction.

Tutoring Policy: If a student scores below 70% on an exam or writing assignment, he or she will be required to attend tutoring per the instructor's directions before being allowed to complete the next assigned work.

Grading Schema:

89.50 – 100 A

79.50 – 89.49 B

69.50 – 79.49 C

59.50 – 69.49 D

00.00 – 59.49 F 

Grade Weighting and Breakdown:

Essays (x3): 40%

Discussion Boards: 20%

Creative Project: 20%

Final Exam: 20%

There are no 'dropped' grades as all assignments will contribute to the overall final grade. There may be extra-credit opportunities with extra activities and/or responses on a few of the regular assignments.

Discussion Boards

The class discussion boards will be the method through which your weekly class participation is registered.  You are expected to post at least 2 comments per week (although more is always appreciated).  You will post at least one comment directly related to the topic discussed in the recorded lecture (a question or topic will usually, though not always, be given at the end of the lecture) BY THURSDAY AT 11:59 pm.  You will also be required to post at least one comment responding to one of your classmates BY SUNDAY AT 11:59 pm.  These comments must be substantive.  That is, you must post something more insightful than “I agree” or “I liked this.”  These comments will be a part of your final grade.

Please note that I will check on these discussion boards several times per week, and will comment when my expertise or input seems necessary.  I will largely attempt to leave these discussion boards as a place for you to communicate with your classmates as peers.  At a minimum, I will check twice a week on Friday and Monday morning to see that you have made at least 2 comments.

Late Work

No late work will be accepted, barring extenuating circumstances that have been communicated to the instructor.  Please anticipate problems and work responsibly so that your work will be submitted on time.

Attendance

KEY DATES: You must complete an assignment by the Census date on Monday, March 28 (3/28/2022) to avoid an automatic withdrawal from the course.
Final Date to Withdraw from the Course without a Failing Grade: Tuesday, May 3 (5/3/2022).

Calendar

Additional Information

It is important to complete all Discussion Boards, assignments, and essays by the due dates. Students are responsible and encouraged to seek help with any problems using Blackboard and accessing secondary computers if personal computers are not performing. Computers can be used in the AC Library, the Computer Lab, the Amarillo Public Library or any public library in your vicinity. 

Office Hours are available virtually via Blackboard Collaborate (Online Office). Please e-mail to arrange a video conference (if necessary).