Welcome to what I anticipate will be a colorful and exciting exploration of the world of the visual arts.  The arts have played an essential role in the development of human culture and do so today more than ever before.  The arts are woven into almost every aspect of our lives, perhaps even more than we realize.  Recognizing them and understanding how they speak to us will be the focus of this course.

First we will examine the language of art—its elements, principles, and media and how they are used.  Then we will take a rapid tour through the history of the major expressions and movements in the art that stretches from prehistoric times to the present, focusing on countless masterpieces, setting each in its historical context.

AR111 Art Appreciation. 3 hours. An introduction to the many forms and roles of art worldwide: the elements, media, themes, and principles of design in both two- and three-dimensional art. The historical sequence of cultures and styles from the earliest times to the present will be traced through their greatest artworks. (3 credit hours; fulfills Fine Arts requirement, no prerequisites)

As stated in its Values and Educational goals, "Central Methodist University values its strong liberal arts tradition."  Thus, an understanding of the roles and power of the visual arts is essential to a liberal arts education since those arts play an increasingly important part in our culture and are an essential key to understanding cultures past and present.

Upon successful completion of the course, each participant should be able to:

1. Understand and use the terminology used in analyzing works of art. 
2. Complete a formal analysis of a work of art.
3. Understand the historical significance of a work of art.
4. Build an argument that articulates their opinion. 
5. Understand other students’ views without bias. 

Richard L. Lewis; Susan Ingalls Lewis. The Power of Art, Revised. 3rd Edition. Cengage Learning, 2018. ISBN-13: 978-1-337-55555-5