ART F261X: History of Western Art I

Prehistoric to Medieval Art and Architecture

Summer 2026

CRN: 50784

Credits: 3

Meeting Time: Distance, asynchronous

Course website: WordPress (https://art261.community.uaf.edu/) for course content, Canvas for everything else

Instructor: Dr. Zoë Marie Jones

Office hours: by appointment

Email: zjones@alaska.edu

Course Description: 

From the course catalog:

Origins of art and its development from the beginning through contemporary painting, sculpture and architecture. ART F261X – ART F262X may be taken in reverse order; however, course content is presented in a chronological sequence beginning with fall semester.

Attributes: UAF GER Arts Req

This course is an introduction to the styles, major figures, and masterpieces of the history of world art from prehistory to the medieval era. The course focuses on analyzing works of art in order to explore the relationship between artistic production and cultural phenomena. We will examine art’s connections and relationships to religious and governmental institutions, private patrons, art markets, contemporary art criticism, philosophies of art, and the concept of the artist as a conduit for individual expression. The course will also acquaint you with a variety of approaches for critically thinking and writing about visual culture.

Course Goals:

Learn to recognize and analyze key styles, artists and concepts of art from throughout the history of art. Gain an understanding of the relationship works of art have to their larger cultural, historical and social contexts. Become familiar with major concepts and methods of the discipline of art history.

Student Learning Outcomes:

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Apply discipline-specific vocabulary, concepts, and principles to a specific instance, style, or artistic creation
  • Respond subjectively as well as objectively to aesthetic experiences and differentiate between emotional and intellectual responses
  • Explain the nature and scope of the perspectives and contributions found in a particular discipline within the Arts and Humanities as related to the human experience, both individually and collectively.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the intellectual, imaginative, and cultural elements involved in the creative arts through participation in and study of the arts.

Course Readings/Materials: All course content can be found on the course website: https://art261.community.uaf.edu/

Technical Requirements: Because of the online nature of the course, students are required to have access to a computer with word processing capabilities and a good internet connection.

Course Requirements and Grading Information:

*Click the links for more information and break down on each course requirement.

  • Introductory Video – 10%
  • 2 Unit Assessments (Grant Proposals for New Gallery Addition) – 20% x 2= 40%
  • Final Project (Recreation Project) and 2 Posts on Final Project – 25%
  • Discussion Board Participation (2 prompts per week) – 25%
    • Provide comprehensive responses to each discussion post: 40% each, total of 80%
    • Respond to a total of two classmates’ discussion posts each week: two posts of 10% each, total of 20%

Grades will be calculated using a standard 100-point scale and all assignments will be graded out of 100 points (eg: A=92-96, A- =90-91, etc.). Final grades will be weighted based on the percentages associated with the assignments above.

Assignments: The due dates for assignments are noted on the course schedule below. More specific information on these assignments is available under ‘Course documents’. All assignments must be submitted by 11:59pm on the due date. It is the student’s responsibility to submit these assignments on time. Late assignments will be docked ½ letter grade for each day the assignment is delayed.

How to check your grade: You can check your grade by accessing our course on Canvas and heading to the grade center. Please let me know if there is a mistake as soon as possible. There is a lot to keep track of in this course and I can make mistakes.

Course Calendar: (subject to change)

* All assignments must be submitted by 11:59pm on the due date.

Week 1 (May 16-22): Introduction and Prehistoric Art

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE SUNDAY, MAY 24
  • INTRODUCTORY VIDEO DUE SUNDAY, MAY 24

Week 2 (May 23-29): Ancient Near Eastern Art, Ancient Egyptian Art

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE SUNDAY, MAY 31
  • GRANT PROPOSAL I DUE SUNDAY, MAY 31

Week 3 (May 30-June 5): Ancient Aegean Art, Ancient Greek Art, Etruscan Art 

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 7

Week 4 (June 6-12): Roman Art, Jewish and Early Christian Art

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 14
  • GRANT PROPOSAL II DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 14

Week 5 (June 13-19): Byzantine Art, Early Medieval Art

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE SUNDAY, JUNE 21

Week 6 (June 20-24):  Romanesque Art, Gothic Art

  • TWO DISCUSSION POSTS DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 28
  • FINAL PROJECT DUE FRIDAY, JUNE 28

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:

As described by UAF, scholastic dishonesty constitutes a violation of the university rules and regulations and is punishable according to the procedures outlined by UAF. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an exam, plagiarism, and collusion. Cheating includes providing answers to or taking answers from another student. Plagiarism includes use of another author’s words or arguments without attribution. Collusion includes unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of any course requirement. Scholastic dishonesty is punishable by removal from the course and a grade of “F.” For more information go to the Student Code of Conduct: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/student-conduct/academic-misconduct.php

STUDENT PROTECTIONS STATEMENT:

The university respects and upholds the principles of due process and a fair and equitable process as specified in the Board of Regents’ Policy 09.02 Student Rights and Responsibilities. For more information regarding the rights and responsibilities of students, refer to the Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability website. You are encouraged to read the Board of Regents’ policy carefully to fully understand your responsibilities to our community.

We strive to create a safe and respectful environment for all members of our community. If you have questions about expectations of you as a student or believe your rights are being violated, we encourage you to reach out to the  Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability for help. UAF reserves the right to suspend, expel or take other necessary and appropriate action in cases where a student is unable or unwilling to uphold community standards and campus safety.

For more information on your rights as a student and the resources available to you to resolve problems, please go to the following site: https://catalog.uaf.edu/academics-regulations/students-rights-responsibilities/.

DISABILITY SERVICE STATEMENT:

I will work with the Office of Disability Services to provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities.

ASUAF ADVOCACY STATEMENT:

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the student government of UAF, offers advocacy services to students who feel they are facing issues with staff, faculty, and/or other students specifically if these issues are hindering the ability of the student to succeed in their academics or go about their lives at the university. Students who wish to utilize these services can contact the Student Advocacy Director by visiting the ASUAF office or emailing asuaf.office@alaska.edu. 

STUDENT ACADEMIC SUPPORT:

STUDENT RESOURCES

  • Disability Services (907-474-5655, uaf-disability-services@alaska.edu, 110 Eielson Building) 
  • Student Health & Counseling [free counseling sessions available] (907-474-7043, https://www.uaf.edu/chc/appointments.php, Whitaker Building 2nd floor)
  • Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability (907-474-7300, uaf-orca@alaska.edu, 3rd Floor, Constitution Hall)
  • Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks (ASUAF) or ASUAF Student Government (907-474-7355, asuaf.office@alaska.edu, Wood Center 119)

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The University of Alaska is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution. The University of Alaska does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, physical or mental disability, status as a protected veteran, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, parenthood, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation or belief, genetic information, or other legally protected status. The University’s commitment to nondiscrimination, including against sex discrimination, applies to students, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. Contact information, applicable laws, and complaint procedures are included on UA’s statement of nondiscrimination available at www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

For more information, contact: 

UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability

1692 Tok Lane, 3rd floor, Constitution Hall, Fairbanks, AK  99775
907-474-7300
uaf-orca@alaska.edu

Additional syllabus statement for courses that include off-campus programs and research activities:

University Sponsored Off-Campus Programs and Research Activities

We want you to know that:

  1. The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
  2. Incidents can be reported to your university’s Equity and Compliance office (listed below) or online reporting portal.  University of Alaska takes immediate, effective, and appropriate action to respond to reported acts of discrimination and harassment.
  3. There are supportive measures available to individuals that may have experienced discrimination.
  4. University of Alaska’s Board of Regents’ Policy & University Regulations (UA BOR P&R) 01.02.020 Nondiscrimination and 01.04 Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination Under Title IX, go to: http://alaska.edu/bor/policy-regulations/.
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For further information on your rights and resources visit the student placement guidelines page of the accountability and compliance site.