ART 1541 - Survey of Art History 1
Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section A01, CRN 31010,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Stephanie Smith, PhD
Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D., History of Art, Rutgers University
M.A., History of Art, Rutgers University
B.A., Art History, Washington & Lee University
Professor of Art History
Email: ssmith@ysu.edu
Office: Bliss Hall 4083
Office Phone: 330-941-3627
Additional Contact Methods:
Questions for the Instructor thread in the Blackboard classroom
Preferred Contact Method: Email
Communication Expectations:
Communication should be prompt and students should not wait until weeks have gone by to address an issue or query. I will be present in the classroom throughout the school week. I will occasionally be present on the weekends as well. I will endeavor to respond to questions posted to the Questions for the Instructor thread in the Blackboard classroom, or via email within 24-hours during the week and within 48-hours on the weekends.
How to Refer to me:
Dr. Smith
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Course Description
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | Gardner’s Art Through the Ages: A Global History, 16th edition | Fred Kleiner | Cengage MindTap |
| Required | Smarthistory | Beth Harris & Steven Zucker | https://smarthistory.org/ |
- Cengage's MindTap is accessible through the course Blackboard site. We are using First Day Access so your text will be accessible although you will need to sign into Cengage or create an account if this is your first time using a Cengage product. Go to Getting Started folder in the Blackboard classroom to access the course text. Once you begin working through the modules, you will see links to the textbook reading and activities.
- Smarthistory is an open source art history textbook. There are a number of required readings and videos from this resource. Links are located in the relevant module folder.
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
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/11 | Kleiner, chapter 1 Paleolithic art, an introduction (Smarthistory) Hall of Bulls, Lascaux (Smarthistory) Çatalhöyük (Smarthistory) |
Module 1: Prehistoric through Neolithic | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Learning to Describe Art |
| 5/18 | Kleiner, chapters 2-3 Standard of Ur and other objects from the Royal Graves (Smarthistory) Palette of King Narmer (Smarthistory) |
Module 2: Ancient Near East through Ancient Egypt | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Evidence-Based Interpretation |
| 5/25 | Kleiner, chapter 5 The Parthenon, Athens (Smarthistory) Phidias, Parthenon sculpture (pediments, metopes and frieze) (Smarthistory) |
Module 3: Ancient Greece | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Understanding Cultural Context |
| 6/1 | Kleiner, chapters 6-7 Ara Pacis Augustae (Smarthistory) |
Module 4: Ancient Rome | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Short Visual Evidence Exercise |
| 6/8 | Kleiner, chapters 8-9 | Module 5: Late Antiquity and Byzantine East | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Decoding Symbolic Imagery |
| 6/15 | Kleiner, chapter 11 | Module 6: Medieval West | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) Comparative Analysis |
| 6/22 | Kleiner, chapters 12-13 | Module 7: Romanesque through French Gothic | Various assessments (due dates found in Blackboard classroom) |
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.