California University of Pennsylvania
New Course Proposal
University Course Syllabus
Approved: 4/16/13
Department of Art and Design
A. Protocol
Course Name: Contemporary Issues in Art
Course Number: ART 420
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: none
Maximum Class Size (face to face): 40 students
Maximum Class Size (online): N/A
B. Objectives of the Course:
Students will be able to:
1. examine contemporary perspectives on a historical problem, controversial issue or
relevant topic in art history through the consideration of contemporary scholarship
and/or primary research.
2. critique values and beliefs as expressed in art as well as the values and beliefs of
those who critique/analyze the art of a specific historic period, style or individual.
3. analyze and evaluate primary and/or secondary sources on the topic.
C. Catalog Description:
This course focuses on issues of contemporary concern in art history. The topics are
faculty-selected and of contemporary consequence.
D. Outline of the Course:
The course content will vary depending on the topic. The outline may or may not contain the
following elements:
1. Overview of Contemporary Issue
a. Overview of the literature
b. Overview of the Issue
2. Detailed Analysis of the Issue
a. Secondary Sources on the Issue
b. Primary Sources on the Issue
E. Teaching Methodology:
1. Traditional Classroom Methodology
A variety of teaching methods may be used in this class. These include, but are not limited
to: lectures, case studies, in-class discussions, small group projects, small group discussion,
discussion and analysis of readings, reflections, individual projects, peer-student evaluations

and online communication strategies, such as discussion boards. Emphasis will be placed on
active learning.
2. Online Methodology – this course will not be offered online.
F. Text
Readings will vary by topic, but will be primarily contemporary in nature. At least 70% of the
reading assignments will have been published in the previous ten years.
G. Assessment Activities:
1. Traditional Classroom Assessment – Assessment strategies will vary from class to class.
All classes will rely on written assignments and participation. Other possible assessment
activities include, but are not limited to: Exams, Quizzes, Written Assignments and
Papers, Individual Projects, Group Projects, Case Studies, Article/Book Critiques, Journal
Reflections, Portfolio Development, and Research Development. These activities may
occur either in the classroom or on D2L.
2. Online Assessment – This class will not be offered online.
H. Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities:
Reserve the right to decide when to self-identify and when to request accommodations.
Will register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) each semester to receive
accommodations.
Might be required to communicate with faculty for accommodations which specifically involve
the faculty.
Will present the OSD Accommodation Approval Notice to faculty when requesting
accommodations that involve the faculty.
Requests for approval for reasonable accommodations should be directed to the Office for
Students with Disabilities (OSD). Approved accommodations will be recorded on the OSD
Accommodation Approval notice and provided to the student. Students are expected to adhere to
OSD procedures for self-identifying, providing documentation and requesting accommodations
in a timely manner.
Contact Information:
Location:
Phone:
Fax:
Email:

Azorsky Hall – Room 105
(724) 938-5781
(724) 938-4599
osdmail@calu.edu

Web Site:
http://www.calu.edu/current-students/studentservices/disability/index.htm
I. Supportive Instructional Materials, e.g. library materials, web sites, etc.
The library provides access to journals and databases that will support the teaching of this
class, including, but not limited to:
ARTstor
Art Abstracts
BHA and RILA
JStor
Project MUSE
Supportive instructional materials will differ according to the topic.
Various websites will also support the teaching of this course. Many archives have
digitized primary sources making them more easily accessible.
Additional Information for Course Proposals
J.

Proposed Instructors: Qualified art history instructors/professors

K. Rationale for the Course: Contemporary Issues in Art is a class that allows faculty and
students to explore various topics and trends in art history. It will enable faculty to share
their interests and expertise as well as allow students and faculty to explore issues of
contemporary concern in the art world.
L. Specialized Equipment or Supplies Needed: None beyond digital projectors provided in
Smart classrooms.
M. Answer the following questions using complete sentences:
1. Does the course require additional human resources? (Please explain)
No additional human resources are required.
2. Does the course require additional physical resources? (Please explain) No
additional physical resources are required.
3. Does the course change the requirements in any particular major? (Please explain)
No, the course does not change the requirements in any particular major. It is an elective
major course for the BA in Art focus in art history.
4.

Does the course replace an existing course? (If so, list the course) No, the course is a
new course.

5. How often will the course be taught? The course will be taught at least once every
three years.
6.

Does the course duplicate an existing course in another Department or College? (If
the possibility exists, indicate course discipline, number, and name) No, the course
does not duplicate an existing course in another Department

N. 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.
The course does not include substantial material that is traditionally taught in another
discipline.
O. Please identify if you are proposing to have this course considered as a menu course for
General Education. If yes, justify and demonstrate the reasons based on the categories
for General Education. The General Education Committee must consider and approve the
course proposal before consideration by the UCC.
Yes, we would like to have the course considered as a Fine Arts menu course for
General Education.
In Fine Arts courses: “Students will have an ‘appreciation of and experience with ...
the arts’ (PASSHE BOG Policy 1993 - 01). Fine arts courses are those that present
organized values, beliefs, or emotions using the senses and physical expression as the
creative vehicle, and include courses in art, dance, music, and theatre.”
Provide Approval Form (electronically).
Additional Guidelines
The following are additional guidelines that you must follow which will expedite your
course proposal. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in the return of the proposal to the
department.
1.

Be sure that your proposal is in the correct format (Guidelines for New Course
Proposals) and that all questions have been completely answered.

2.

Be sure that you have completed and attached the Application to Establish a New
Course form and/or the Advisement Sheet Revision form and that the appropriate
signatures have been affixed. Please send through the process electronically (the
preferred method) or by paper. No items will be placed on the agenda until the
Chair of the UCC is in possession of these forms.

3.

Be sure that you include an updated advisement sheet for any course that is being
required by the department or is classified as a restricted elective. In addition, you
must include an electronic copy (MS Word or PDF) of the current advisement
sheet(s) with your proposal. Be certain that all advisement sheets affected by the
proposed course change be included with your proposal.

4.

When submitting materials for consideration by the Curriculum Committee, you
must provide an electronic copy of each item to be reviewed to the Chairperson.

5.

All completed items must be in the hands of the Chairperson of the Curriculum
Committee a minimum of one week prior to the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6.

Any department requesting a course name change, number change, prefix changes,
credit changes, etc. must submit this request on the Application to Establish a New
Course Form and submit electronically.

7.

New advisement sheets, major proposals, minors, or changes to advisement sheets
will become effective the fall semester following committee approval. The
advisement sheets must also include the committee approval date and the
effective date on the advisement page. Submit this request on the Advisement and
/or Program Changes form.

8.

New courses will become effective the semester following committee approval.

9. Any references listed must be in the appropriate bibliographic format for the
discipline.
10.

Online courses must follow the Quality MattersÔ rubric and is posted on the
UCC website. Be sure that you include the online teaching methodology statement
(refer E.2 above) that refers to the Quality MattersÔ rubric.

11. All course objectives must follow Bloom’s Taxonomy learning domains located on
the UCC website.