Lecture 5: General Questions and Writing Assignment 1, Online

Summary

In this lecture, the instructor covers two main topics: summarizing previous discussions on design in context and addressing common questions, and detailing the first writing assignment with a clear explanation of requirements. Additionally, the instructor introduces a unique extra credit opportunity, emphasizing the importance of understanding design within various social and historical contexts. The lecture also clarifies that the course is not purely art history, but uses art as case studies to explore design concepts.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lecture covers two topics: summarizing previous ideas and addressing questions, and detailing the first writing assignment.
• 📅 There's a single extra credit opportunity available, with a deadline of 11:59 p.m. on the upcoming Sunday.
• 🎨 The course 'Designed in Context' explores design through various contexts over the semester, emphasizing the subjective nature of design.
• 🗓 The extra credit project consists of two parts, both of which must be completed to earn points, with no partial credit offered.
• 🏛 The context of design is illustrated through historical examples, such as Greek sculptures and medieval Christian art, showing how societal norms influence design.
• 👤 The ancient Greeks viewed the nude male form as the epitome of beauty and morality, which was a stark contrast to the later portrayal of women and the influence of Christianity.
• 🎭 The Middle Ages saw a significant shift in the portrayal of the human body in art, with nudity largely reserved for Adam and Eve or Christ to signify sin or vulnerability.
• ✍️ Writing Assignment One requires students to summarize two readings and analyze an image and text example from a public source, applying concepts from the course.
• 📝 The assignment must be in the student's own words, avoiding direct quotes, and should be submitted as a Word document through the course's online platform.
• 📘 The course is not strictly an art history class but uses art historical examples as case studies to explore design in different contexts.
• ⏰ The due date for Writing Assignment One is September 22nd, and students are advised to submit their work well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture?

The lecture focuses on summarizing ideas discussed in the first couple of weeks, detailing writing assignment one, and discussing the only extra credit opportunity for the class.

What does the term 'Designed in Context' imply?

The term 'Designed in Context' means that the course will discuss the topic of design in various contexts every week throughout the semester, acknowledging that design can be defined in many ways.

What is the extra credit project about?

The extra credit project is in two parts, both of which must be completed to earn points. It involves responding to questions related to the course material by a specified deadline.

How does the context of Greek sculptures relate to the beliefs of ancient Greeks?

The context of Greek sculptures is based on the ancient Greek belief that the nude male body in its perfect form represented the pinnacle of beauty and morality.

What is the significance of the heroic nude in both Greek and Renaissance art?

The heroic nude is significant as it represents an idealized human form, celebrated for its beauty and perfection, and is exemplified in works like the Greek sculpture 'Warrior A' and Michelangelo's 'David'.

How did the context for creating images of the human body change during the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages, the context for creating images of the human body changed considerably due to Christianity being the dominant religion. Nudity was primarily associated with shame, as seen with Adam and Eve, or vulnerability and suffering, as with Jesus on the cross.

Why are the examples in the lecture not from a chronological art history?

The examples are not from a chronological art history because the lecture uses them as case studies to illustrate specific sets of contexts and design choices, rather than providing a sequential record of art.

What is the due date for writing assignment one?

Writing assignment one is due on September 22nd.

What are the requirements for the image and text example in writing assignment one?

The image and text example must come from a public published source, contain both text and at least one image, and should not be from personal or someone else's social media presence.

What are the formatting requirements for the writing assignment?

The assignment should be 600 to 1000 words, double-spaced, in a 12-point font, and include an image on the cover page. The text should be in Times New Roman, Garamond, or a similar serif font, and only .doc or .docx formats are accepted.

How should references to the readings be cited in the writing assignment?

References to the readings should be cited parenthetically with the author's last name and the relevant page number, without including a bibliography or a works cited page.