Syllabus

Working Syllabus

This syllabus is our plan for the semester, but it is also a living document. As we progress, I may adjust the schedule, assignments, or readings to better suit our class’s needs and opportunities for learning. All changes will be communicated clearly and in a timely manner.

Introduction to the History of Global Art I

Wed & Fri, 1:00pm — 2:20, 3 credits (45hrs)

Note

Northwestern Polytechnic acknowledges that our campuses are located on Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral and present-day home to many diverse First Nations, Metis, and Inuit people. We are grateful to work, live and learn on the traditional territory of Duncan’s First Nation, Horse Lake First Nation and Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, who are the original caretakers of this land. We acknowledge the history of this land and we are thankful for the opportunity to walk together in friendship, where we will encourage and promote positive change for present and future generations.

Instructor: Kaveh Rafie

Contact: KRafie@nwpolytech.ca

Office Hours: Wednesday at 2:30pm to 4:00pm (via Zoom) or by appointment

Description

The course adopts a global perspective, examining art from prehistory through to the 15th century. It is not an exhaustive survey but focuses on major developments in art through case studies from past cultures and communities in diverse global regions. These case studies enable the exploration of examples from both non-Western and Western traditions. The course aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of visual art and art history methodologies, providing students with a foundational knowledge of art history and its pivotal moments.

Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite: None

Learning Outcomes

Course Objectives

This course provides a survey of global art from prehistory to the 15th century. By the end of the term, you will be able to:

• Analyze & Identify: Examine the formal qualities, historical contexts, and cultural meanings of key monuments and objects from across the globe.
• Compare & Interpret: Construct evidence-based arguments by comparing works from different cultures and interpreting them through primary and secondary sources.
• Articulate & Communicate: Present ideas clearly in both writing (employing art historical methods) and informed discussion.

Core Skills Emphasized

This course is designed to strengthen your:

• Critical Thinking: Integrating diverse views into rigorous, fact-based judgments.
• Visual Literacy : Decoding the complex and often contradictory meanings of visual expression.
• Creative Analysis: Solving interpretive problems when obvious solutions are not available.

Art Historical Analysis

There are many approaches to art historical understanding but for our purposes we will focus on four:

• Formal analysis (color, shape, texture, scale, line, shadow, space, composition and other physical properties of the work itself)
• Iconographic analysis (story, theme or subject presented by the work including any symbolism or veiled meanings that would be legible to people part of the artist’s culture)
• Sociohistorical analysis (social, political, economic and cultural context in which the work is produced)
• Aesthetic analysis (sensuous and psychological impact that the work has on you and others)

Transferability important

Please consult the Alberta Transfer Guide for more information. You may check to ensure the transferability of this course at the Alberta Transfer Guide main page http://www.transferalberta.alberta.ca.

Caution

Grade of D or D+ may not be acceptable for transfer to other post-secondary institutions. Students are cautioned that it is their responsibility to contact the receiving institutions to ensure transferability

Required Readings & Materials

This course does NOT require a purchased textbook. All readings and videos are provided digitally via Perusall, an online social annotation platform. Readings are divided into two categories:

• Core Readings: These texts, primarily from Smarthistory, provide essential historical context and overviews for the week’s topics.
• Analytical Readings: These are scholarly texts that advance a specific argument. Your task is to engage with them critically by:
  • Identifying the author’s thesis
  • Questioning their claims
  • Analyzing their evidence
  • Connecting their ideas to other course material

Accessing Perusall

All materials will be available through our course group on Perusall.

Join our Perusall group using the enrollment link or code posted on myClass. If you encounter any issues, please email me immediately.

Other Reference Books

• Zainab Bahrani, 2017, Art of Mesopotamia, Thames & Hudson.
• Nelson, R. and R. Shiff (eds.) Critical Terms for Art History. Chicago: Chicago University Press.
• Pedley, John Griffiths, 2002, Greek Art and Archaeology. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• D. Preziosi and L. Hitchcock, 2000, Aegean Art and Architecture. Oxford History of Art.
• Gay Robins, 2008, The Art of Ancient Egypt. (Revised Edition). Harvard University Press.
• Nancy H. Ramage and Andrew Ramage, 1991, Roman Art. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Paul Zanker, 2008, Roman Art. Trans. H. Heitmann-Gordon. Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum.
• Anne D’Alleva, 2010, Methods and Theories of Art History.

Course Format (online, synchronous)

This is an online course delivered via Zoom, with mandatory weekly synchronous sessions. Your success depends on active participation, which includes attending class, engaging with materials, completing readings, contributing to discussions, and submitting assignments promptly.

Access via this link

Evaluation

Your grade in this course will be based on the following components:

Participation & Attendance

15%

Due: Ongoing

Reading Annotations

15%

Due: Weekly on Perusall

Artifacts

25%

Due: Weekly on myClass

Ancient World in Contemporary Visual Culture

45%

Due: TBD on myClass

Detailed guidelines for each component will be provided in myClass.

1) Participation & Attendance

Active participation is crucial for this course. Your grade is based on the following components:

• Consistent Engagement: You are expected to keep your camera on during live Zoom sessions to foster a collaborative learning environment.
• Camera Policy: Turning your camera off will result in not receiving participation credit (10%) unless it is during a break or you have communicated with me in advance for accommodations.
• Discussion Contribution: Actively contribute to class discussions by asking questions, responding to prompts, and engaging with your peers’ ideas.
• In-Class Activities: Complete all micro-activities, such as polls and short collaborative tasks, announced during the session.

Attendance Policy

Attendance for our live Zoom sessions is mandatory. More than two unexcused absences will require a meeting with me to discuss your standing in the course. Failure to address chronic absenteeism may result in failing the course.

If you have high levels of social anxiety or find it challenging to read social cues in a groups discussion, and find yourself unable but eager to participate please email me at KRafie@nwpolytech.ca: we can discuss alternatives or how to manage anxiety around participation.

Note on Recordings: Sessions will be recorded for educational purposes. By participating, you consent to being recorded. If you miss a session, please email me to receive the link of the missed session.

2) Reading Annotations

Reading assignments will be completed on Perusall. Your grade will be based on the quality of your annotations, which will be evaluated according to the criteria. More details will be provided in future and on myClass.

3) Artifacts

Artifacts are creative projects that allow you to engage with course materials beyond traditional writing. While rooted in research and critical thinking, they encourage artistic expression and alternative modes of understanding.

Please check myClass and course announcements for specific prompts and detailed guidelines for each assignment.

Comparative Analysis: This is a traditional essay assignment where you will compare two artworks from different cultures or time periods discussed in the course. The essay should demonstrate your ability to analyze formal qualities, historical context, and cultural significance (See Art Historical Analysis). The length may vary between 300-500 words.

5) Ancient World in Contemporary Visual Culture

This assignment asks you to trace the influence of ancient art on contemporary visual culture. You will find a modern work that draws from ancient themes, motifs, or techniques and analyze the connection in a final paper.

Part 1: Proposal (10%)

Length: 150-200 words for the body (5%)
Citations: Two cited sources (5%)

Task: Identify a modern film, book, advertisement, artwork, or other media (including your own creative work). Briefly explain its connection to an ancient source or a theme from our course, providing evidence-based analysis.

Part 2: Final Paper (35%)

Length: 1000-1250 words

Task: Write a detailed analysis of your chosen contemporary work. Explore how it reinterprets, references, or draws inspiration from the ancient art or themes we have studied.

Example for Inspiration: Ancient Americas, Appropriated

Grading Scale

Alpha Grade	4-point Equivalent	Percentage Guidelines
A+	4.0	95-100
A	4.0	85-94
A-	3.7	80-84
B+	3.3	77-79
B	3.0	73-76
B-	2.7	70-72
C+	2.3	67-69
C	2.0	63-66
C-	1.7	60-62
D+	1.3	55-59
D	1.0	50-54
F	0.0	00-49

Important

Grades for this course will be assigned as a percentage.

Student Responsibilities

• Online Communication & Professionalism: Students are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism in all course-related communications. Conduct yourself as you would in any professional setting, treating instructors and peers with respect.
• Attendance and Participation: Join lectures on time and remain for the full duration of class and related activities.
• Time Commitment: Students should expect to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours per week to out-of-class work. Assignments must be submitted by the required dates.

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. This means that you must complete your own work and give proper credit to the ideas and work of others. Any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.

For a more precise definition of academic misconduct and its consequences, refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities policy available at https://www.nwpolytech.ca/about/administration/policies/index.html.

Note: All Academic and Administrative policies are available on the same page.

Regulations Regarding the Use of AI

The use of Generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot) in this course is restricted to specific, approved purposes. All other uses are strictly prohibited without explicit authorization.

Permitted Use

You may use AI tools for low-level editing tasks, such as:

• Correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Improving sentence clarity and readability.
• Rephrasing sentences for better flow.

Prohibited Use

You may not use AI tools to:

• Generate ideas, arguments, or thesis statements.
• Write sentences, paragraphs, or entire papers.
• Paraphrase or summarize course readings or concepts.

Mandatory Acknowledgement

Any permitted use of AI must be formally declared. For every assignment, you must submit a completed AI Use Declaration Statement detailing the tool used and the specific ways in which it was employed. An assignment will not be graded without this form.

Important

Failure to acknowledge the use of AI tools, or using them for prohibited purposes, will be treated as a violation of academic integrity.

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