Art History and Criticism
	Course Preface Printable Version (pdf)

 

Course Description

 

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
Students will examine how works of art were created by manipulating media and by organizing images with art elements and principles.

Objective 1
Understand techniques and processes in a variety of media.

1. Identify a variety of media including current arts-related technologies.
   
2. Analyze the expressive potential of art media, techniques, and processes.
   
3. Understand the physical demands of art media, equipment, and studio space.
   

Objective 2
Explore how works of art are organized using art elements and principles.

1. Analyze the art elements in architecture, sculpture, painting, and drawing.
   
2. Analyze how the art elements interact to form the art principles in architecture, sculpture, painting, and drawing.
   

Standard 2
Students will find meaning by analyzing, criticizing, and evaluating works of art.

Objective 1
Critique works of art.

1. Analyze artworks regarding effective use of art elements and principles.
   
2. Examine the functions of art.
   
3. Interpret works of art.
   

Objective 2
Evaluate works of art.

1. Analyze and compare works of art using a variety of aesthetic approaches.
   
2. Evaluate works of art based on forming techniques, effective use of art elements and principles, fulfillment of functions, impact of content, expressive qualities, and aesthetic significance.
   

Standard 3
Students will discover meaning in art.

Objective 1
Perceive content in works of art.

1. Identify subject matter, metaphor, themes, symbols, and content in works of art.
   
2. Assess which works of art effectively communicate subject matter, metaphor, themes, symbols, or individually conceived content.
   
3. Interpret subject matter, metaphor, themes, symbols, or content through divergent, novel, or individually inspired applications of art media and art elements and principles.
   

Objective 2
Curate works of art ordered by medium and content.

1. Organize a portfolio that expresses a purpose such as mastery of a medium, objectives of this Core, or significant content.
   
2. Exhibit works of art selected by themes such as mastery of a medium, Core objectives, and significant content.
   

Standard 4
Students will find meaning in works of art through settings and other modes of learning.

Objective 1
Align works of art according to history, geography, and personal experience.

1. Use visual characteristics to group artworks into historical, social, and cultural contexts; e.g., cubist view of the Egyptians, tenebrism of the Baroque.
   
2. Analyze the impact of time, place, and culture on works of art.
   
3. Evaluate own relationship with artworks from various periods in history.
   

Objective 2
Synthesize art with other educational subjects.

1. Integrate art history with dance, music, and theatre.
   
2. Explore how art history can be integrated across disciplines.
   

Objective 3
Evaluate the impact of art on life outside of school.

1. Examine careers related to art history.
   
2. Predict how art history can add quality to life and lifelong learning.
   

 

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Office of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Office of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.

 

For more information about this core curriculum, contact the USOE Specialist, Cathy Jensen or visit the Fine Arts - Visual Art Home Page. For general questions about Utah's Core Curriculum, contact the USOE Curriculum Director, Sydnee Dickson . UEN Contact Info: 801-581-2999 | 800-866-5852 | Contact Us