Your term paper will be a study of some aspect of Ancient art or architecture.

Choose a style, period, or subject. I will work with you on refining the subject within the scope of the 10-page format. Note: the subject must be from the time periods and regions under study in this course unless I have approved an exception in advance. For details, you can refer to the Weekly Schedule and Reading in the Course Information book.

The paper will be analytical, but supported by research in secondary sources, such as the textbook, published articles and books, and reliable Internet sources, etc. It can be an outgrowth of the Visual Analysis Paper (over and above). For example, you could write a longer study of the work you chose for the first paper. Note: this paper must include at least 7 pages of new material. You may include the (revised!) 2-3 page first paper in the text of this paper for continuity, but if you do so, this paper must then be a total of 10-12 pages. Illustrations and Works Cited pages are additional.

Relates to Major Learning Outcomes:

1. Distinguish and analyze the variety of techniques and formal visual elements of individual works of art in different media.

2. Define and differentiate the various styles within Ancient Art.

3. Evaluate works of art in relation to the context and historical background in which they were created.

4. Summarize the concepts that define and distinguish Ancient Art, and assess its influence on subsequent artistic periods.

5. Examine and appraise works of art for formal elements and content, and demonstrate the ability to compare and contrast stylistic elements that distinguish aesthetic and cultural trends.

Part 1: Introduce the Works Under Study by Discussing Their Style (4-6 pages)

Choose 1 or 2 key works related to the topic you have chosen. Describe the work(s) in as much detail as you can. Try to analyze how the artist achieves the final composition by carefully detailing how he/she utilizes the “formal” elements of the work (i.e. line, color, shapes or forms, mass and volume, light, texture, depth, balance, message, etc.) and how these work together to create the final composition. Discuss the content or meaning of the work. How has the artist manipulated and organized the artistic form to enhance and communicate meaning in the work? If you have chosen an architect, you will analyze the design, plan, structure, elevation, as well as the interior and exterior details and materials.

Example:

Your topic: The influence of Egyptian architecture on Greek architecture

Part 1 Work/s: Temple of Hera I; Parthenon

Part 2: Comparison-Contrast (3-4 pages)

Compare and/or contrast the work discussed in Part 1 with 1 or 2 “historical” works of Ancient art. The comparative works must be related in some way to the works of your artist/architect. For example, comparative works could be 1) influential on your artist’s style; or 2) by another artist/architect contemporary with yours, working in a similar or different style; or 3) by another artist/architect influenced by the style you analyzed in Part 1. The analysis would point out the significance of the similarities and/or differences. Your comparison pieces can be ones that are similar or very dissimilar in style, or content, or images. Note: Construct a smooth transition between Part 1 and Part 2. The two parts should be integrated. The main subject of the comparison-contrast and of the paper will be the main work/s. Consult the Barnet book A Short Guide to Writing About Art on writing comparison-contrast essays.

Example:

Your topic: The influence of Egyptian architecture on Greek architecture

Part 2 Work/s: Temple of Amen-Re, Karnak

The complete paper will include the following:

Documentation: Identify all works of art discussed. Include title, artist, date, media, and dimensions (unless unknown), and publication information (if from a book/periodical/Web page).
Style Description/Formal Analysis: (See Part 1)
Compare and Contrast: (See Part 2)
Illustrations: Provide illustrations of all work discussed (inserted into the text of the paper or at the end).
Bibliography/List of References: Must contain at least two books (one of which can be the textbook) and two published articles. (The article can be accessed in a library full-text database, such as JSTOR, available with a SF Public Library Card. The CCSF Library also subscribes to several databases.)
Citations: Fully cite all information from outside sources. You may use MLA or other format.
This paper will be graded on:

The detail and depth of your research and analysis. A paper of the minimum length would pass, depending on quality, but would not earn an A or B.
How well you follow instructions specified here.
How well you demonstrate a college level standard in format, information, and style of presentation.
Format Requirements:

The paper must be in MLA format. Access a sample paper here, and follow it closely. If you use any information from other sources, you must cite it in MLA format, which includes both in-text citations and a works cited list. Refer to the sample and the MLA link for details.

7-10 pages (except see above) in 12-point font, double-spaced, properly formatted (see Barnet, A Short Guide to Writing About Art, “Basic Manuscript Form”)