AP Art History WT Woodson High School
Do you like to go to art museums? Are you curious about the decisions artists make in creating a work of art? Do you want to be able to understand a work of art in terms of its function, meaning and context? Are you interested in history? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then AP Art History is the class for you.
There are 250 images from around the world to learn. We will discuss works ranging from 25,000 BCE to the 21st century. The images are divided into ten content areas.
The homework expectation is to analyze three to six images per week. Students will be given many resource suggestions to facilitate their research. Students will be given a worksheet to complete their research. Class discussions, viewing videos, working in groups, and playing art games will help in understanding the works of art.
Essay and identification tests will be given after each content area. Students will take their multiple choice tests at home on Blackboard.
Students will be given a textbook, Gardner's Art Through the Ages, to keep at home all year long. Blackboard will also have many links and suggestions for additional resources. Our school library subscribes to many databases that will be available to students for research.
Students will learn to write a "Snapshot" of a work of art. A "Snapshot" is a way to structure basic, research based information about artworks. The completed "Snapshot" will be uploaded to the Discussion Board on Blackboard to share with the class.
Students will look at works of art and think about the materials and techniques used. Students will learn to analyze the visual and/or physical elements of a work of art.
Students will have the opportunity to present their research to the class. Students will work in groups and collaborate to gain a better understanding of works of art.
What is the meaning of a work of art? What is the story behind the subject matter? Students will learn about meaning and content focusing on subject matter, iconography, and narration.
How does the work reflect the cultural aspects of particular time and place? What has happened in history at the time the work was created? Students will gain a deeper understanding of a work of art through learning about the context.
Several of the 250 artworks are in Washington, DC. We are fortunate to live in a metropolitan area where we can see these works of art and others. Students will have the opportunity to visit art museums.
After the AP test in May, we focus on being artists. Students will be able to experience the creative process. Students will paint an unfinished piece of furniture. For most students this will be the first time they have painted. Students choose a work of art that we studied as inspiration. They are guided through the process step by step.
If you are interested in joining us in AP Art History, please see your counselor. Please see Mrs. Head in E159 with any questions you might have or feel free to email your questions to djhead@fcps.edu. We look forward to seeing you in AP Art History.