AP Art History
Course Guidelines and Policies
K. Erickson

This seminar in art history provides for the study and enjoyment of the creative visual arts from various cultures through the centuries. The first semester considers the development of art from its prehistoric beginnings through ancient and medieval art to the High Renaissance in Europe. The second semester covers art from the Post-Renaissance period to the present. Our study includes the characteristics of Asian, African, Pre-Columbian and Oceanic art along with Western art. Cross-cultural comparisons frequently will be made. Students will be encouraged to ask questions about the nature of art, to consider works of art in context, and to assess works of art through the lens of different methodologies.

Course Policies

GENERAL GUIDELINES
Students should familiarize themselves with the History Department Course Guidelines, which are the basic policies to be followed in this class. In addition, laptop policies are in place to guide students in the appropriate use of their computers. Students are expected to come to class with a working computer, as occasionally projects will be assigned that include downloading information from the Web, accessing online news sources, or retrieving assignments from the class conference.

CLASS CONFERENCE
AP Art History has its own class conference in the First Class system. Your class conference is listed by class title and teacher's initials, for example: AP Art History (KE). Assignments will be given out via the conference, and students are responsible for checking it daily. In some cases, notices may be sent out via the conference after a class has met on a given day, and thus it is useful to check it frequently. The conference should only be used to retrieve and submit work and, if necessary, to seek clarification about an assignment. If you need assistance from the teacher, email me directly.

EXTRA HELP
Students are encouraged to ask for extra help as needed. Please email me, Mrs. Erickson (kerickson@greenwichacademy.org), or see me after class, preferably one day in advance, to schedule a time for extra help.

HOMEWORK
Homework will be given each day and is designed to take up to an hour to complete. If it consistently takes longer than an hour to do your homework, please schedule an appointment to meet with me. Students should take notes on all readings. Quizzes may be given relating to the homework and sometimes students will be allowed to use their notes. Occasionally, homework might be collected and graded on a 10-point scale. See the History Department Guidelines for further information.

GRADING
Students are advised to read the History Department Guidelines regarding grading policies. In AP Art History, the following guidelines for grading are in place:

Research papers = 2 units
Tests, major essays, clippings folio= 1 unit
Class work, quiz and homework average = 1 unit

Students will occasionally be graded for class work - generally 2 times per quarter on a 10-point scale - and thus it is important to be prepared, to be attentive, and to participate fully in class discussions at all times.

EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit may be earned by writing reviews of current exhibitions beyond the one required per year. Students must obtain a postcard or brochure from the exhibition and must write a critical review, including the date and location of the exhibition.

These assignments will be averaged into the class work and homework grade. Only students who are up to date with regular day-to-day assignments may receive extra credit.