Course Syllabus
Syllabus Art Appreciation
Welcome
Welcome to Art Appreciation! We’re so glad you’re here.
Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.
To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.
As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.
We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community!
Pacing
This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.
This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.
Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style.
We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong.
Course Description
What is art? In this course, students explore that question by examining how art is made, how it is experienced, and why it matters. Students will learn to look closely, think critically, and respond thoughtfully to a wide range of artworks. They will study the elements of art and the principles of design, understand the creative process behind making art, and develop skills to analyze visual works with confidence.
As the course progresses, students will explore how art connects to identity, meaning, and change through key moments in art history. They will also investigate how art is presented in galleries, museums, and public spaces before looking ahead to the future of art, including new digital tools and career paths in the art world.
Students do not need to like every artwork they encounter, but they will learn how to appreciate it. This course emphasizes understanding, not personal taste, and encourages curiosity, empathy, and open-minded thinking.
Course Essential Questions
- How do artists, viewers, and communities create meaning while making, experiencing, and interpreting art?
- How does art reflect history, adapt to changing technology, and shape career pathways in the art world?
Course Overview
LESSON
OBJECTIVES
QUIZ
ASSIGNMENT
1: What is Art?
1.1 Define and categorize different forms and functions of art based on historical, cultural, and contemporary examples.
1.2 Compare and contrast multiple perspectives on what qualifies as art, including how these definitions have changed over time.
1.3. Analyze how art can influence daily life through personal expression, political commentary, design, and spiritual meaning.
1.4 Evaluate who has held power in deciding what counts as art in the past and present, and defend your own perspective on who should decide.
15 multiple-choice questions
N/A
2: Elements of Art
2.1 Define each of the seven elements of art (line, shape, form, space, color, value, and texture) and describe how they are used in visual artwork.
2.2 Identify the elements of art in historical and contemporary works, using correct vocabulary.
2.3 Explain how artists use the elements of art to express mood, meaning, and movement.
2.4Compare how different artists use the same element to create different effects or messages.
2.5 Apply your understanding of the elements of art through simple, hands-on visual activities and written reflections.
15 multiple-choice questions
Lesson 2 Assignment: What is Art?
3: Principles of Design
3.1 Identify and describe the principles of design used in visual art, including balance, emphasis, movement, rhythm, proportion, and unity.
3.2 Analyze how artists apply these principles to guide the viewer’s eye, create meaning, and achieve a sense of harmony or contrast in a composition.
3.3 Interpret and evaluate works of art by examining how the principles of art shape the overall impact of the piece.
15 multiple-choice questions
N/A
4: The Creative Process - From Idea to Artwork
4.1 Describe how artists use brainstorming techniques—like mind mapping, freewriting, and sketching—to generate creative ideas.
4.2 Explain how experimenting with new materials or approaches can help artists overcome creative blocks.
4.3 Reflect on your own creative process and identify at least one new strategy you can use to develop future artwork.
15 multiple-choice questions
Lesson 4 Assignment: Your Creative Process
5: How to Analyze and Interpret Art
5.1 Describe what you see in a work of art using clear, specific observations.
5.2 Analyze how the artist uses elements like color, line, and shape, and principles like balance or emphasis to organize the artwork.
5.3 Interpret what a work of art might mean or what message it might be communicating, using visual evidence.
5.4 Evaluate how successful a work of art is in creating meaning or emotion, and explain why you think so.
10 multiple-choice questions
N/A
Midterm Exam - 2 Parts
Part 1: Modern Art Discovery Project
Part 2: Objective Exam - 50 MCQ
6: Art and Meaning
6.1 Identify key visual characteristics of spiritual and symbolic artworks from a range of cultures and time periods.
6.2Explain how elements of art (such as color, line, space, and pattern) and principles of design (such as balance, emphasis, and rhythm) are used to express spiritual or symbolic meaning.
6.3 Analyze how historical and cultural context influences the form, function, and symbolism of sacred art.
6.4 Compare how different cultures represent the sacred—through architecture, painting, sculpture, and abstraction.
6.5 Reflect on how visual choices in sacred art create emotional or spiritual experiences, and consider how you might express something sacred through your own visual language.
15 multiple-choice questions
N/A
7: Art and Identity
7.1 Analyze how visual elements and design principles contribute to the expression of identity in portraiture and self-portraiture across cultures and time periods.
7.2 Interpret symbolic, cultural, and stylistic choices made by artists to represent personal, social, or collective identity.
7.3 Compare and contrast historical and contemporary approaches to identity in art, using specific examples such as the Fayum Mummy Portraits, Kuba Masks, Edo-period prints, and self-portraits by Gentileschi, Kahlo, Picasso, and Warhol.
15 multiple-choice questions
Lesson 7 Assignment: A Portrait Match
8: Change in Art
8.1 Analyze how artworks from different time periods and cultures respond to moments of social, political, and cultural change.
8.2 Interpret visual elements and design choices to understand the message and impact of a work of art.
8.3 Evaluate how specific artworks have influenced public perception, behavior, or historical narratives.
8.4 Compare different artistic responses to change, recognizing the variety of strategies artists use—from protest and persuasion to reflection and documentation.
8.5 Reflect on the role of art in their own environment and consider how visual messages shape community identity, memory, and action.
15 multiple-choice questions
N/A
9: How is Art Presented
9.1 Describe the roles and purposes of museums, galleries, and immersive spaces in presenting art to the public.
9.2. Explain how curators influence the meaning of an artwork through layout, lighting, and selection.
9.3 Compare traditional museum settings with immersive and experiential art environments, and explain how they affect audience interpretation.
9.4 Explore how community-based galleries and open calls support emerging artists and local voices.
15 multiple-choice questions
Lesson 9 Assignment: Artist for a Cause
10: The Future of Art
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10.1 Explain how new technologies like AI, NFTs, and immersive tools are influencing how art is made and experienced. 10.2 Identify and reflect on key ethical issues in digital art, including authorship, originality, ownership, and appropriation. 10.3 Describe several career paths in the future of art, including art restoration, curation, mural work, therapy, and more. |
15 multiple-choice questions
N/A
Final Exam - 2 Parts
Part 1: Art Appreciation Portfolio
Part 2: Objective Exam - 50 MCQ
Grades
Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:
Source
Available Points
Lesson Assignments
250
Lesson Quizzes
150
Midterm Exam
300
Final Exam
300
Total
1000
Textbook & Technology Requirements
To fully participate, make sure you have:
- A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
- A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
- Any other required textbooks or materials for the course
Accessibility
If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.Canvas Technical Support
Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.
- Access Canvas through the Tiger Portal https://mizzouacademy.missouri.edu/
- For assistance with Canvas, passwords, or other technical issues, submit a ticket by selecting Help from the Global Navigation menu on the left in Canvas. Additional information is provided in the following Canvas Guide: How do I get help with Canvas as a student?
- For questions about enrollment, access to courses, exam proctoring, or billing, contact our Support Services Team at (855) 256-4975 or mizzouacademy@missouri.edu.