California University of Pennsylvania
Guidelines for New Course Proposals
University Course Syllabus
Department of Communication, Design, and Culture
UCC Approval date: 3/26/2018
A. Protocol
Course Name: Art History Today
Course Number: ART 270
Credits: 3 credits
Prerequisites: None
Maximum Class Size (face-to-face): 45
Maximum Class Size (online): 50
B. Objectives of the Course:
Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:
1) Identify key issues in the study of global art history.
2) Demonstrate a working knowledge of the history of art from prehistory to the present in a global art
historical context.
3) Demonstrate a working knowledge of the history of art history, especially as it relates to global art.
4) Acquire the art historical vocabulary necessary to compare and contrast works of art and our
understanding of them in a global art historical context.
5) Analyze, interpret and contextualize specific works of art and architecture drawn from a global context.
6) Apply key art historical terms and ideas to works of art and architecture beyond the classroom setting.
.
C. Catalog Description:
Art History Today is an introduction to the study of art history that emphasizes the global context in which art
historians understand and study art history today. The relevance of art history beyond the classroom will be
emphasized.
D. Outline of the Course:
1) Understanding Art History Today – Theories, Practices and Methods
2) Topics in Global Art History
a) Prehistory
b) Beginnings of Western Civilization
c) Ancient and Imperial China
d) Japan
e) Africa
f) Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christian, and Islam
g) Renaissance and Baroque
h) Modern Art
i) Contemporary Art

E. Teaching Methodology:
1) Traditional Classroom Methodology
A variety of methodologies may be used in this course. They may include, but are not limited to:
lecture, multi-media presentations, quizzes, homework, in-class activities, discussion boards, group
projects, simulation, group presentation and peer student comments, analysis of readings, case studies,

individual projects, and incorporation of internet resources. Emphasis will be placed on engaging
students for involvement and active participation in the learning process. Critical thinking skills will be
developed through active learning.
2) Online Methodology
This course will be taught in an online asynchronous environment that combines online presentation of
content with various pedagogical tools, which may include, but are not limited to: quizzes, homework,
individual writing activities, blogs, group projects, analysis of readings, case studies, individual projects,
and group discussions. Critical thinking skills will be developed through active learning. Course content
will be presented through online documents, multi-media presentations, audio files, video, and the
incorporation of Internet resources. Emphasis will be placed on engaging students for involvement and
active participation in the learning process.
F.

Text
Online materials such as Khan Academy’s Smart History series may be used.
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history
A textbook such as the following may be used:
Stokstad, Marilyn and Michael Cothren. Art: A Brief History. New York: Pearson, 2016.

G. Assessment Activities:
1) Traditional Classroom Assessment
Assessments may include, but are not limited to:
1. Class Participation
2. Written assignments and reports
3. Threaded online discussions
4. Online participation
5. Exams and/or quizzes
6. Individual projects
7. Group projects
8. Case studies
9. Analysis of student work samples
10. Article/Book critiques
11. Journal reflections
12. Portfolio development
13. Research development
14. Field trips
2) Online Assessment
1. Online Participation
2. Written assignments and reports
3. Threaded online discussions
5. Exams and/or quizzes
6. Individual projects
7. Group projects
8. Case studies
9. Analysis of student work samples
10. Article/Book critiques
11. Journal reflections
12. Portfolio development
13. Research development

H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

OSD
Revised June 2015
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations. Students
requesting approval for reasonable accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
(OSD). Students are expected to adhere to OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and
requesting accommodations in a timely manner.
Students will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting accommodations that
involve the faculty.
Contact Information:
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I.

Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web Site:

Carter Hall - G-35
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu
http://www.calu.edu/osd

Title IX Syllabus Addendum

California University of Pennsylvania
Reporting Obligations of Faculty Members under Title IX
of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681, et seq.

California University of Pennsylvania and its faculty are committed to assuring a safe and productive educational
environment for all students. In order to meet this commitment and to comply with the Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972 and guidance from the Office of Civil Rights, the University requires faculty members to
report incidents of sexual violence shared by students to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Dr. John A.
Burnett, Special Assistant to the President for EEEO, Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, Burnett@calu.edu,
724-938-4014. The only exceptions to the faculty member’s reporting obligation are when incidents of sexual
violence are communicated by a student during a classroom discussion, in a writing assignment for a class, or as
part of a University-approved research project. Faculty members are obligated to report sexual violence or any
other abuse of a student who was, or is, a child (person under 18 years of age) when the abuse allegedly occurred
to the person designated in the University protection of minors policy.
The University’s information regarding the reporting of sexual violence and the resources that are available to
victims of sexual violence is set forth at:
•

•
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Office of Social Equity, South Hall 112, 724-938-4014
o Social Equity Home Page
www.calu.edu/SocialEquity
o Social Equity Policies
www.calu.edu/SEpolicies
o Social Equity Complaint Form
www.calu.edu/SEcomplaint
Counseling Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4056
End Violence Center, Carter Hall G94, 724-938-5707
Student Affairs, Natali Student Center 311, 724-938-4439
Wellness Center, Carter Hall G53, 724-938-4232
Women’s Center, Natali Student Center 117, 724-938-5857
Threat Response Assessment and Intervention Team (T.R.A.I.T.) & Dept. of Public Safety &
University Police, Pollock Maintenance Building, 724-938-4299

o

J.

EMERGENCY: From any on-campus phone & Dial H-E-L-P or go to any public pay phone
& Dial *1. (*Identify the situation as an emergency and an officer will be dispatched
immediately.)

Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (plato.stanford.edu), Academic Search Compete, JSTOR, Project
MUSE, Google Scholar, Artstor

Additional Information for Course Proposals
K. Proposed Instructors:
Any qualified Instructor in the Department of Communication, Design, and Culture.
L. Rationale for the Course:
The course is intended to provide students with an introduction to the study of art history in a manner that
emphasizes the global context in which art historians understand and study art history today.
M. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed:
None
N. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1) Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
No
2) Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain)
No
3) Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No
4) Does the course replace an existing course in your program? (If so, list the course)
No
5) How often will the course be taught?
Annually
6) Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If the possibility exists,
indicate course discipline, number, and name)
No
Yes or No?
O. If the proposed course includes substantial material that is traditionally taught in another discipline, you must
request a statement of support from the department chair that houses that discipline.
N/A

N/A if not applicable. Identify the OTHER course and department here where this course content might more
traditionally be taught! Include supporting documentation from that department as an appendix to this
document.
P. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for General Education.
The General Education Committee must consider and approve the course proposal before consideration by
the UCC.
Yes

Fine Arts and EMIL
Q. Approval Form
Provide the Approval Form (Signature Page) with the signatures of your department
Chair AND college Dean (electronically).