ART 2648 - Experience Art: Social and Behavioral Perspectives
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43158,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
Log in to view more
Instructor
Samuel Adu-Poku
Email: sadupoku@ysu.edu
Course Description
2648. Experience Art: Social and Behavioral Perspectives. An introductory course incorporating art education research methods to investigate social and behavioral influences on visual art learning. Classic and contemporary studies of artistic development and aesthetic response will be introduced. Learning encounters with art from early childhood through late adulthood will be addressed. Intended for education majors. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Reading |
There is no required textbook for this course. The instructor will provide all readings for the course through the course Blackboard site. Please, be sure to login to Blackboard at least weekly during the duration of this course for important course information and for submission of assignments.
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
Log in to view more
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Day | Date | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 8/24 | Grandstaff, L. (2012). Children’s artistic development and the influence of visual culture. MA Thesis: University of Kansas. Major Reading Response 1 | Introductions and discussion of course syllabus | Introductions, and Discussion of Syllabus Assign: Major Reading Response Grandstaff, L. (2012). Children’s Artistic Development and the Influence of Visual Culture. MA Thesis: University of Kansas. (12%) Due: Wed. September 9 |
| Wed | 8/26 | Course syllabus | Discussion of syllabus, reading assignments and art projects. PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood education |
Discussion of syllabus, reading assignments and art projects Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood education |
| Mon | 8/31 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood education (Cont.) | Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood educ. |
| Wed | 9/2 | Short Reading 1 - Wilson, B. (2004). Child art after modernism: Visual culture and new narratives. In E. W. Eisner & M. D. Day (eds.), Handbook of research and policy in art education (pp. 299-328). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. | PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood education (Cont.) | Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation: Learning Theory and the Characteristics of early childhood educ. Assign: Short Reading 1: Wilson-Child art after modernism: Visual culture and new narratives. In E. W. Eisner & M. D. Day (eds.), Handbook of research and policy in art education (pp. 299-328). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. (8%) Due: Wed. Sept. 16 |
| Mon | 9/7 | No class readings | University Closed (Labor Day) | No Class Meeting |
| Wed | 9/9 | Handout: Illustrations of Stages of Children’s Drawings from Victor Lowenfield (Creative and Mental Growth) | Discussion of the Stages of Children’s Artistic Development Discussion of Major Reading Response: Grandstaff, L. (2012). Children’s artistic development and the influence of visual culture. MA Thesis: University of Kansas Art Project 1: Hands-on Art Project Discuss and begin work on Art Project 1 |
Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation: Stages of Children’s Artistic Development SUBMISSION Due Date (Wed. Sept. 9): Major Reading Response 1 (12%) Grandstaff, L. (2012). Children’s artistic development and the influence of visual culture. MA Thesis: University of Kansas (10%) Assign 1st Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due: Mon., Sept. 28 |
| Mon | 9/14 | No class readings | Art Project: Continue work on 1st Art Project | 1st Art Project: Continue work on 1st Art Project |
| Wed | 9/16 | Short Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. | Discussion of Short Reading 1: Wilson-Child art after modernism: Visual culture and new narratives. In E. W. Eisner & M. D. Day (eds.), Handbook of research and policy in art education (pp. 299-328). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. Cont. work on Art Project 1: Hands-on Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Wed. Sept. 16): Short Reading 1: Wilson-Child art after modernism: Visual culture and new narratives. In E. W. Eisner & M. D. Day (eds.), Handbook of research and policy in art education (pp. 299-328). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. (8%) Assign: Short Reading 2 (8%) Due: Wed. Sept. 30 Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. Continue work on Art Project 1: Hands-on Project |
| Mon | 9/21 | Guidelines & rubric for First Research Assignment – Mapping the History of Art in my Life - | Discussion of First Research Assignment: Mapping the History of Art in my Life (To be presented in class as PowerPoint (15%). Art Project: Continue to work on 1st Art Project |
Assign: First Research Paper (15%): Mapping the History of Art in my Life – Details of PowerPoint Presentation will be discussed in class Due: Mon. October 12 Guidelines & rubric for First Research Assignment – Mapping the History of Art in my Life - will be discussed in class. Continue to work on 1st Art Project |
| Wed | 9/23 | Short Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. | Student Research/Work Day (Students will use class time to: 1). Research information and images to be included in the “Mapping of the History of Art in my Life.” 2). Respond to the assigned question on Short Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60). There will be no in-person class. 3). Continue to work on 1st Art Project. |
Student Research/Work Day- Use class time to complete: 1). Research information and images to be included in the “Mapping of the History of Art in my Life.” 2). Short Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. (8%) 3). 1st Art Project: Continue to work on 1st Art Project |
| Mon | 9/28 | No class readings | Discuss & Critique of Art Project1: Hands-on Art Project 2nd Art Project: Discuss and Begin work on 2nd Art Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Sept. 28): 1st Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Assign 2nd Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due Date: Mon. Oct. 12 |
| Wed | 9/30 | No class readings | Discuss Short-Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. 2nd Art Project: Art Project 2: Hands-on Art Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Wed. Sept. 30): Short Reading 2: Becoming Japanese: Manga, children’s drawings, and the construction of national character. Visual Arts Research, 25(2) (50): 48-60. (8%) Continue Work on Art Project 2 |
| Mon | 10/5 | No class readings | Student Research/Work Day (Students will use class time to: 1). Research information and images to be included in the Mapping of the History of Art in their Lives. Complete work on 2nd Art Project. |
Student Research/Work Day: Use class time to complete: 1). Research information and images to be included in the Mapping of the History of Art in their Lives 2). Continue Work on Art Project 2 |
| Wed | 10/7 | No class readings | Continue work on 2nd Art Project Video Assignment Is Marla a child prodigy or is her father trying to scam the art world? Bar-Lev, A. (2007). My kid could paint that. SONY Pictures Classic. Watch video on your own and answer the related questions |
Assign Video Response (8%): Bar-Lev, A. (2007). My kid could paint that. SONY Pictures Classic. Respond to the questions. Due Date: Mon. Oct. 26 Watch video on your own and answer the related questions 2). Continue Work on Art Project 2 |
| Mon | 10/12 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation: Mapping the History of art in my Life. Discuss & Critique of Art Project 2: Hands-on Art Project Discuss and begin work on 3rd Art Project Hands-on Art Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Oct. 12): Written Essay & In-class Power-Point Presentation: Mapping the History of Art in my Life. (15%) SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Oct. 12): 2nd Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Assign 3rd Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due Date: Mon. Oct. 26 |
| Wed | 10/14 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation: Mapping the History of art in my Life. Continue work on Art Project 3: Hands-on Art Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Oct. 12.): Written Essay & In-class Power-Point Presentation: Mapping the History of Art in my Life. (15%) |
| Mon | 10/19 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation: Mapping the History of art in my Life. Continue work on Art Project 3: Hands-on Art Project |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Oct. 12.): Written Essay & In-class Power-Point Presentation: Mapping the History of Art in my Life. (15%) 3rd Art Project: Continue to work on Art Project 3. Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due: Oct. 26 |
| Wed | 10/21 | No class readings | 3rd Art Project: Continue to work on Art Project 3 | Continue work on Art Project 3: Hands-on Art Project |
| Mon | 10/26 | No class readings | Discussion of Video Assignment: Bar-Lev, A. (2007). My kid could paint that. SONY Pictures Classic. Discuss & Critique of Art Project 3: Hands-on Art Project Start work on 4th Art Project Hands-on Art Project (7%) |
SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Oct. 26): Video Assignment: Bar-Lev, A. (2007). My kid could paint that. SONY Pictures Classic (8%) SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon Oct. 26): 3rd Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Assign 4th Art Project: Hands-on Art Project 4th Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due Date: Mon. Nov. 9 |
| Wed | 10/28 | No class readings | Continue work on 4th Art Project Hands-on Art Project (7%) | 4th Art Project: Continue to work on 4th Art Project. Hands-on Art Project |
| Mon | 11/2 | Readings on Art Criticism | Discussion of what is art criticism and its role in the art world? PowerPoint Presentation | What is art criticism and its role in the art world? PowerPoint Presentation |
| Wed | 11/4 | No class readings | Student Research/Work Day (Students will use class time to complete 4th Art Project). There will be no required in-person class time. However, students will use the class time to: 1). Visit the Butler Institute of American Art and identify/research their preferred paintings for a Formal Art Critique project. 2). 4th Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) |
Student Research/Work Day Use class time to: 1). Visit the Butler Institute of American Art and identify/research their preferred paintings for a Formal Art Critique project. 4th Art Project: Continue to work on 4th Art Project. Hands-on Art Project |
| Mon | 11/9 | No class readings | Discussion of what is art criticism and its role in the art world: PowerPoint Presentation Discuss and Critique Art Project 4: Hands-on Art Project. Discuss and Assign Art Project 5 |
What is art criticism and its role in the art world? PowerPoint Presentation SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Nov. 9): Art Project 4 Hands-on Art Project (7%) Assign 5th Art Project: Hands-on Art Project (7%) Due Date: Mon. Nov. 23 |
| Wed | 11/11 | PowerPoint on Art Criticism | Discussion of what is art criticism and its role in the art world: PowerPoint Presentation both your written paper and PowerPoint presentation. Continue Work on Art Project 5 |
What is art criticism and its role in the art world? PowerPoint Presentation Continue Work on Art Project 5 |
| Mon | 11/16 | No class readings | Discussion of Final Research Project: Art Criticism Worksheet. Students will visit the Butler Institute of American Art or its website to choose a painting from their permanent collection for a comprehensive critique based on the Art Criticism Worksheet provided by instructor. A colored picture of your elected painting should be submitted with Continue Work on Art Project 5 |
Assign Final Research Project: Art Criticism Worksheet. Due Mon. Nov. 30 (14%) Students will visit the Butler Institute of American Art or its website in order to choose a painting from their permanent collection for a comprehensive critique based on the Art Criticism Worksheet provided by instructor. A colored picture of your elected painting should be submitted with both your written paper and PowerPoint presentation. Continue Work on Art Project 5 |
| Wed | 11/18 | No class readings | Discussion of Final Research Project 6: Art Criticism Worksheet PowerPoint Presentation of Research (Art Criticism Worksheet) (Final Research Project) |
Hands-on Art Project (7%) PowerPoint Presentation and Written Response to Art Criticism Worksheet Final Assignment (14%) |
| Mon | 11/23 | No class readings | Student Research/Work Day (Students will use class time to complete 4th Art Project). There will be no required in-person class time. However, students will use the class time to: 1). Visit the Butler Institute of American Art and identify/research their preferred paintings for a Formal Art Critique project. Final Research Project: Art Criticism Worksheet Continue. Discuss and Critique Art Project 5: Hands-on Art Project. |
Student Research/Work Day Use class time to: 1). Visit the Butler Institute of American Art and identify/research their preferred paintings for a Formal Art Critique project Final Research Project: Art Criticism Worksheet. Due Mon., Dec. 1 (14%) SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Nov. 23): Art Project 5 |
| Wed | 11/25 | No class readings | Columbus Day/Thanksgiving | University Closed for Observance of Columbus day/ Thanksgiving |
| Mon | 11/30 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation of Research (Art Criticism Worksheet) (Final Research Project) | SUBMISSION Due Date (Wed. Mon. Nov. 30): PowerPoint Presentation and Written Response to Art Criticism Worksheet Final Assignment (14%) |
| Wed | 12/2 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation of Research (Art Criticism Worksheet) (Final Research Project) | SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Nov. 30): PowerPoint Presentation and Written Response to Art Criticism Worksheet Final Assignment (14%) |
| Mon | 12/7 | No class readings | PowerPoint Presentation of Research (Art Criticism Worksheet) (Final Research Project) | SUBMISSION Due Date (Mon. Nov. 30): PowerPoint Presentation and Written Response to Art Criticism Worksheet Final Assignment (14%) |
| Wed | 12/9 | No class readings | Final Class Meeting PowerPoint Presentation of Research (Art Criticism Worksheet) (Final Research Project) | Final Exam Due: Wed. Apr. 29, 2026 (8:00 - 10:00 a.m. PowerPoint Presentation and Written Response to Art Criticism Worksheet Final Assignment (14%) |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.