This course introduces art from prehistoric times to present day. It describes architectural styles, sculpture, drawing, photography, printmaking, painting techniques, and a variety of other minor arts.

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If you complete this course and do well, you will be able to:

• gain a theoretical and practical understanding of the basic theories, concepts and visual expression in our society
• acquire an historical understanding of themes in art and recognize the importance of the visual arts in daily communication.
• develop visual literacy
• see the value in art from its beginning to the politics of art in public spaces
• appreciate the importance of the visual world around us from the poster design to the construction of buildings throughout the centuries
• apply the acquired artistic knowledge in both projects and written expression
• create a lifelong appreciation of living with art in the environment
• explore the similarities and differences that unite cultures by taking a global approach to the study of art

The required textbook for this course is:

• Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic, Approach (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac) , Margaret Lazzari and Dona Schlesier, Wadsworth Publishing, 3rd Edition 2008

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Your course grade will be determined by the following exams and assignments:

Your final grade will be based on the following scale. Please note that you must also pass at least 2 exams in order to pass the course, regardless of your scores on the other assignments.

There are 3 online exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

We arehere to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact us when they do:

E-mail : jlauzon@nvcc.edu
Telephone : 703-878-5718
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my campus office in Woodbridge. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.