Art 160 - Art Appreciation -1

Log-Into Our Course via CANVAS for more information.

About this Class:

The course begins Jan 12, 2026. This course is taught through Canvas and the PEARSON E-text and is fully online. Participation is mandatory weekly and you will be managing your own time. You need to log into the course via Canvas no later than Jan 19, 11:00AM to review and acknowledge your place in the class. Do a discussion so I know you want to continue.

Welcome! Please order your E-TEXT ASAP

Prebles' Artforms Package ISBN:9780134796956. Author: FRANK

Edition:12TH. Year: 2019

The MJC Bookstore has your E-text. All you need is an E-text and the access code that comes with it. You only need ONE ETEXT. Order it right away.

OR Purchase direct access to the REVEL interactive Etext. The 12th edition is $93.99.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Creating & learning about art

Why is art important? Art is another means of helping people see and better understand the dynamics of our world and how human consciousness impacts it at every level. The world is open to integration and interpretation more than ever before and the effect that art has on us as individuals and as a society is now reaching beyond the borders of any given culture.

Mass communication – via television, the Internet, and cinema, along with cultural syncretism and networking between nations and even continents, has enabled us as human beings to see beyond ourselves and our own boundaries.
My classes enable you to view images from around the world and in a context beyond a textbook. They are designed to intrigue, inspire and engage you in the possibilities through the study of symbolism, multicultural perspectives and the many layers of meaning within the visual dialog.

Artists are myth makers and we participate with everyone else in the social construction of reality. Collectively we seek meaning. The complex matrices of beliefs, symbols, and words provide us with individuality and collectively with identity.

Get ready to explore and let's learn about ART.

Teaching philosophy

Through the act of observation and class discussions we will study the interplay of form and content and their relationship and impact upon one another.

The class is designed to make you aware of the basic elements of color, composition, how form carries meaning and the visual dynamics of art.

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Communication essentials

Office Phone - 575-6075

E-mail - barrd@mjc.edu

E-mails must include your name in the subject line. I will get back to you within 24 hours during the business week. I will not be answering e-mails on weekends, late at night, or on holidays unless it is an emergency.

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Tutoring and the Learning Resource Center

Website: msjc.edu/learningresourcecenter

Phone: MVC – 951-639-5480; SJC – 951-487-3480

Email: lrc@msjc.edu

Online Tutoring: Log in to Canvas, click on "?" and then Get Tutor Help

Module example

Our Pact - This class will introduce you to the elements and principles of fine art. Each assignment will reinforce and emphasize different expression of art through technique, spacial illusion and basic composition. We will study contemporary artists in order to understand that art is a visual dialog. The class is designed to intrigue, inspire and engage you in the possibilities through the study of symbolism, multi-cultural perspectives and the many layers of meaning found in the visual arts. Videos and lectures are mandatory, albeit short.

My Philosophy: Through the act of observation and the activity of discourse, we will study the interplay of form and content and their relationship and impact upon one another. The class is designed to make you aware of the basic elements of color, composition, how form carries meaning and the visual dynamics of art. Each student will bring their own understanding of art to the course. Your opinion matters.

What to expect from me:

I will create a comfortable and inclusive classroom that is rooted in encouragement and support.
I will do my best to share my knowledge with compassion and flexibility.
I will be an active presence throughout the course. Helping you with each module but giving you space to explore. I will put out announcements,

home-page updates, additional discussions and give you feedback.

What I expect of you:

The semester will include seven modules. Reading assignments and quizzes can be found in the PEARSON link via CANVAS. Discussions and other assignments are within CANVAS.
Discussions are an important tool for learning and will be used to more fully understand the subjective process of viewing art. The discussions will help develop your understanding of "how" to see, respond to, and analyze art. Your participation in the five discussions is essential.
You will participate frequently and engage with the material actively each week.