YOUTH INITIATIVE HIGH SCHOOL
Waldorf Initiative in Viroqua, Wisconsin, USA
COURSES AND CLASSES
Ancient and Medieval History/Art History
Youth Initiative High School, Grade 10
January 8 – February 16, 2007
Teachers: Jacob Hundt and John Madden
This six-week block will be divided into two distinct parts, led by two different teachers. During roughly the first half of the block, Jacob will lead the class in an exploration of the ancient and medieval roots of our own civilization, beginning with the invention of agriculture in the Middle East around 10,000 years ago. From these earliest settled farmers, we will proceed to examine the great civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe. The primary focus of our discussions will be on the large-scale political, economic, and cultural structures that arose among these peoples. We will also examine the ways in which geography, climate, resources, technology, and systems of belief shaped the organization and development of each civilization. During this portion of the class, students will be given short reading, writing, and artistic assignments and will be expected to participate actively in discussion.
As the class explores the civilizations of the ancient world, John will embark on a parallel exploration of the evolution of art, beginning in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. This study will provide another, complementary perspective on each civilization and on changes in human perceptions of the world over time. In roughly the second half of the block, John will carry this exploration of art history through the Renaissance and up to the present day. The block will culminate in an overnight trip to Chicago to visit the Museum of the Art Institute of Chicago, where each student will make an interpretive presentation on piece of their choice.
Requirements:
1. Active participation in all discussions and activities, including readings and short writing assignments.
2. A polished map of the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding countries (In class time.)
3. Three polished works of art, based on ancient and medieval originals. (In class time.)
4. Three polished 2-3 page written pieces based on the material discussed during each of the first three weeks of class. These writings should be typed and proofread for spelling, grammar, and factual accuracy. They will be returned for correction if there are any errors.
5. Timeline of the significant movements, art works, and artists from the Renaissance to the present OR neatly synthesized class notes/outline.
6. Technical analysis (500 words) of a particular artwork of interest to you, concentrating on the compositional choices the artist made and the effects these choices have on your appreciation of the work.
7. Short biography (250 words) of an artist of interest to you.
8. Comparison and contrast of two works of art (250 - 500 words) or “neatened up” versions of two of your in-class comparison and contrast essays.
9. Outline/Speech/Essay (10 – 15 spoken minutes) about the history of a particular artist’s painting/sculpture from the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago to be presented to the class at the museum.
Class Outline
Week I:
Jacob Mon., January 8: History, writing, and systems of time.
John Tues., January 9: Egyptian Art.
Jacob Wed., January 10: Map of the Mediterranean World.
Jacob Thurs., January 11: Egyptian civilization. Civilization and Agriculture.
Jacob Fri., January 12: Mesopotamian civilization, Julia Hundt Art Exercise.
Week II:
Jacob Mon., January 15: Persian civilization. Monotheism & Polytheism. (Writing due).
Jacob Tues., January 16: Greek civilization.
John Wed., January 17: Greek Art.
Jacob Thurs., January 18: Monarchy, Oligarchy, Democracy, Tyranny.
Jacob Fri., January 19: Athens and Sparta, Julia Hundt Art Exercise.
Week III:
Jacob Mon., January 22: Greek Philosophy and Alexander the Great (Writing due).
Jacob Tues., January 23: Roman Civilization.
John Wed., January 24: Roman Art.
Jacob Thurs., January 25: Roman Law.
Jacob Fri., January 26: The Rise of Christianity and the Fall of Rome.
Week IV:
John Mon., January 29: Review Egypt through Rome in Art (Writing due)
John Tues., January 30: Christian and Byzantine
John Wed., January 31: Medieval Art and Architecture
John Thurs., February 1: Early Renaissance
John Fri., February 2: High Renaissance
Week V:
Jacob Mon., February 5: Medieval civilization. Julia Hundt art exercise.
Jacob Tues., February 6: Renaissance and Reformation.
John Wed., February 7: 16th and 17th Century Northern European Art
John Thurs., February 8: 18th Century – Baroque versus Neoclassicism
John Fri., February 9: 19th century – Romanticism versus Realism
Week
VI:
John Mon., February 12: Impressionism and Post Impressionism
John Tues., February 13: Modern Art
John Wed., February 14: Contemporary Art
John Thurs., February 15: Portraiture through History
Fri., February 16: Chicago Trip