EXAM I

Fall 1999

This exam included ten slide identifications, which required students to master the name of the art work, the name of its creator (where known), its date of creation, and to explain the symbolism and most relevant interpretive information. The essays required analysis of the aesthetic of functionalism within the context of a single module of the unit, such as cave art, the pyramids, or the Athenian acropolis. Each of these modules integrated a variety of disciplinary material, and so students were required to synthesize that material in an effort to understand how that particular art did or did not support the aesthetic of functionalism.

In later terms, I revised my examinations considerably; in the spring 2000, I included questions which forced students to apply ideas to diverse disciplinary materials and by spring 2001 the essay questions focused more on the aesthetic of functionalism itself rather than on mastery of single modules and required students to synthesize diverse materials from many units. Students tended to perform well on questions 2,4,and 5; the least acceptable essays tended to be those on Paleolithic cave art. This essay required a sophisticated ability to make deductions from archaeological evidence; although students could explain the "sacred" function of the cave, their argumentative skills were often very weak when explaining what evidence indicated that possible function for the caves.

The essays dealing with the cathedral of Chartres, the Egyptian Pyramids and, to a lesser extent, Islamic mosques, focused on the visual arts with materials from other disciplines providing a larger context and also illuminating the symbolism of the structures. These modules were clear examples of cross-disciplinary work, which seems to be generally easier for students to master than units which require full integration of materials.

By the end of the course, students were required to synthesize multiple aesthetic schools and disciplinary resources.

PART I:

Part I: Slide Identifications

There will be ten slide identifications; please record your identification of the title of the work (if available), when it was produced and by whom, what the work of art symbolizes, as well as other relevant information. 5 points each

PART II: ESSAY TOPICS

Write a well-organized, coherent essay on one of the following topics. Be sure to cite specific details, facts, dates, events, historic/artistic figures, their theories and their works in your response.

1. Discuss and describe the Paleolithic art found in Lascaux. What are its major features, from when does it date, and what is its symbolism? For what possible purposes might it have been used? How does this cave art support the functionalist theory of art?

2. Discuss the ancient Egyptian pyramids, and their role/function in Egyptian society within the context of historic documents studied in class and the archaeological evidence. What are the various historic, sociological, and other theories concerning the pyramids use and construction? How do the pyramids support the functionalist theory of art?

3. Briefly discuss the Greek view of art and the role of art and the artist in society. Apply these theories to the Acropolis, as you discuss the purposes for which it was, its main buildings, and their architectural styles. In these buildings, how does form follow function?

4. Discuss the career of the prophet Mohammed, taking care to elucidate the main events of his life as well as the major tenets of his teaching as found in the Qur'an. Discuss and explain how these historic events and religious teachings are reflected in Islamic art, including the most well-known and significant mosques in the Middle East? How does a mosque support the functionalist theory of art?

5. Discuss the design and architectural style and symbolism of the cathedral of Chartres. What are the main parts of a Cathedral? Select at least two of Chartres' most famous windows or portals and discuss in detail their iconography. For what was this cathedral designed and used and how does it support the functionalist theory of art?

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