Example Syllabus

High School Art

Caitlyn Harvey
cfh30@txstate.edu
Course Objectives:
Students will delve into the four basic strands of art perception, creative expression/performance,
historical and cultural heritage, and critical evaluation (TEKS117.52.b.1).
Students will hone their visual literacy to illustrate ideas and compare visual elements of
artwork.
Students will create original pieces of art by finding visual solutions to bringing their
original ideas to fruition.
Students will understand their art within the context of art history and the contemporary
art world.
Students will interpret and analyze art pieces, as well as describe and critique them within
historical context and artistic principles.
Course Topics and Units:
Abstract Art
Propaganda/Poster Art: Advertisements and Propaganda
Surrealism: Surrealist Drawing
Sculpture: Found Art piece
Photography: Portraits
Figure Drawing: using photography for realistic drawing
Choose an Artist: Making Art in a Style
Grade:
-Final Art Pieces(nine total) will be 75% of your grade.
-Participation will be 10% of your grade.
-Sketchbook will be 15% of your grade.
Expectations:
- You will have assigned homework finish by the date stated on the syllabus, for example if
reading 1 was listed under Monday, you will have read reading 1 before the start of class on
Monday.
Consequence: participation is worth 10% of your grade. When you dont attend
class, you miss participation points.
-You will keep a sketchbook throughout the entire semester. They will have 4-5 drawings for
every week. Students will also keep notes of artists they like in this sketchbook. Some sketches
will be done in class, if not they will be done for homework. At the end of the semester student
will turn in their sketchbook for grading.

Consequence: The sketch book is worth 15% of your grade, so do your best to
keep track of it!
-Everyday at the beginning of class there will be a sketchbook warm-up. Be ready at your desk
with your sketchbook and pen or pencil, when the bell rings at the start of class.
Consequence: During the warm-up each day, I will stamp your sketchbook page to
show you were on time and ready for class. This warm-up will be included in your participation
grade (10%).
Attendance:
Students in grades K-12 who exceed five (5) or more absences, excused or unexcused, in a nine
week grading period will be put on an attendance contract. According to SMHS campus policy, if
a student is not in the classroom during a tardy sweep, the student must report to the cafeteria for
a tardy detention slip. Students will not be allowed in class without the detention slip or other
note from the office after a tardy sweep. Students must be in their seats with their materials
when the tardy bell rings. Students are expected to be in the classroom or on the bus before the
Tardy bell rings. Students with three tardies accumulated within a weeks period will be
assigned to one day of ISS. Extenuating circumstances must be addressed with your
administrator.
Homework/Late Work:
All Assignments will be turning in by the date listed in the syllabus. If work is late, you have a
three-day grace period to turn it in with a 30% drop in grade. All graded work can be turn in a
second time to improve your grade, when piece is fixed or improved upon taking into account
comments given during critique.
Calendar
Date
Aug 17th 23rd
Aug 24th -30th
Aug 31st Sept 6th
Sept 7th 13th

Sept 14th 20th

Sept 21st 27th

In-Class
Abstract Art Lesson
Musical Drawings
Designing your piece
Studio Time Abstract Art Painting
Propaganda Lesson
Brain storming
Sketch out Poster
Sept 7th Labor Day- No
School
Finishing touches on Posters
Introduction to Surrealism
Sketching and Brainstorming
Finishing Surrealist Drawings

Due
Aug 21st: Look up three
abstract artists, note them in
your sketchbook
Aug 27th and 28th
Final Critique
Abstract Paintings

Sept 9th and 10th Final

Critique Poster Art

Sept 24th and 25th

Final Critique of

Surrealism: Surrealist
Drawing
Spet 28th Oct 4th
Oct 5th 11th
Oct 12th 18th

th

th

Oct 19 25

Introduction to Found Art

Found Art Exercise
Constructing Found object Sculpture
Initial Critique and structure advise
Oct 12th Columbus/
Indigenous Peoples Day
No School
Finishing up Sculptures
Photography Introduction
Picking Partners
Photographing

Oct 15th and 16th Final

Critique: Found Art
piece
Oct 20th: Bring in outfit/
material for Portraits
Oct 23rd Photography:
Portraits Final
Critique

Oct 26th Nov 1st

Nov 2nd 8th
Nov 9th 15th

Introduction to figure drawing

Figure drawing exercise
Hyper Realistic figure drawing
project
Nov 11th Veterans Day No School
Finishing Figure Drawing

Nov 16th 22nd

Nov 23rd 29th

Introduction to final project

Overview of art history
Styles and periods
Pick and style (essay)
Nov 25th- 27th Thanksgiving Break

Nov 12th and 13th

Figure Drawing Final
Critique
Nov 18th: Last Day to sign up
for an art style or artist
Nov 23rd: Artist/Art
Style Essay Due.
Nov 23rd 24th
Presentations of
artists

Nov 30th 6th

Dec 7th 13th

Dec 14th 18th

Group critique, helping choose an

idea
Start projects
Work on Final Projects
Dec 18th Last day of Fall Semester

Dec 16th, 17th, and

18th Final Critique of
Final Project

Parent/Guardian Signature:________________________________________________________