Course Description

Art 1B is the second semester in a two-semester series that has been created to provide the beginning knowledge and skills necessary to appreciate, evaluate, and create works of art.  In Art 1B students explore commentaries, activities, and assignments that involve simple execution of artwork, writing, and reading. These introduce students to some of the significant periods and styles of art, the elements and principles of design of art, the creative thought processes, media, tools, and applications used by past and present-day artists. As part of this course, students are expected to complete sketchpad assignments, written reflections, and produce more formal artworks. 

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) 

UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas. 

Semester Topics

• Unit 1: Art History and Criticism
• Unit 2: Prehistoric Art 15,000 - 1,000 BC
• Unit 3: Art and Architecture of the Fertile Crescent and Ancient Egypt
• Unit 4: Ancient Art of Asia, the Americas, and Africa
• Unit 5: Greek and Roman Art and Architecture
• Unit 6: Early Christian, Byzantine, and Islamic Art
• Unit 7: Early Medieval, Romanesque, and Gothic Art and Architecture
• Unit 8: Art of Emerging Modern Europe: Italian Renaissance, Baroque, Rococo
• Unit 9: Nineteenth Century Art
• Unit 10: Early Twentieth Century Art
• Unit 11: Modern Art and Changing Paradigms

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• demonstrate basic knowledge of the meaning of and terminology for the elements of art (e.g., color, texture, shape, form, line, space, value) and the relationships among elements of art); 
• analyze art elements and principles and their relationships to each other and within the environment; 
• engage in planning to aid in the development of complex two- and three- dimensional artwork using imaginative combinations of materials; 
• observe, discuss, and write critically about their own artworks and works from selected periods and cultures; 
• identify styles and trends such as surrealism, pop art, or expressionism; 
• compare and contrast works of art from various cultures and historical periods in terms of theme, style, technique, medium, function, and intent; and 
• understand how the visual arts shape and reflect history, society, and culture. 

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses. 

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Textbook (eBook Included): Art Talk (4th ed.) by Rosalind Ragans
• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand:
  
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue
• Supply List

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice and free response
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.