Animals in the early cultures

    PROMPT: In early cultures, animals were often represented either as a single species or composite creature. These representations appear to have had symbolic or at least purposeful meaning. Compare and contrast 4 images of animals /composite animal figures highlighted in Paleolithic to Ancient Egyptian art. Describe their characteristics (naturalistic, abstracted, composite, …) and the context in which they were found. Explain how these creatures were likely interpreted by their respective cultures based on the scholarly opinions expressed from Canvas resources, class lectures and textbook Include the title of the work, approximate date, setting, and culture for each example discussed. How Do I Write a Good Art History Essay? These essay topics are designed to show the instructor that you understand the featured art and architecture in this unit on a conceptual level. That means you will write about the ideas that the works embody and use the art history vocabulary from class lectures and the textbook to describe the works in your essay. • Select Examples: After you choose one topic from the selection given above, think carefully about the art or architecture examples that will clearly address the specific topic. Be sure to choose examples from a variety of style periods surveyed in this unit. Don’t choose more than one example from a single style period (for example, don't select all your examples from Egyptian Art). Usually if you choose your examples wisely the essay will be easy to write. You can choose any work of art or architecture that has been featured in the class lectures on Paleolithic, Neolithic, Sumerian, Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Egyptian art. These works will also be highlighted in the textbook and Smarthistory videos and articles from our course Canvas site and will provide enough information for you to write the essay. • Describe the Works: After a brief introduction to the general topic you chose, describe the first work (usually the work that occurs first chronologically). Give the time period, the date, and the culture associated with the work. Use art vocabulary to describe the material it was made with (was this material typical for that culture?), how it was made (was this innovative in any way?), and the artist’s name if known. Is the work large or small and what meaning does this convey? • Relate the Individual Works to the Essay Topic and To Each Other : Highlight how each of the examples differently address the general topic of the essay. Do they show a difference in cultural values, available materials, for that culture? Make a few comparisons and contrasts between the works themselves. If you omit this aspect from your essay you are essentially just providing a list of works. Make sure you explain how the examples relate to the theme rather than making the reader do this. As a rule of thumb, write about ¾ of a page on each example, which will include the description and relating the example to the general topic. What Information Should I Use to Write My Essay? Use information in the Gardners textbook, illustrated class lectures, your class notes, Smarthistory videos and other resources that are posted on the course Canvas site for the content of your essay. Extra or outside research is not required or encouraged for writing this essay. If you do consult sources in addition to those listed above, then the book, article, or internet sources must be cited in a list at the end of the essay. Take care that the source has an author. All information in your essay must be put into your own words and should not be copied directly from the primary source. Visual art examples can only be drawn from class lectures. These are also illustrated in the textbook and highlighted in many Smarthistory videos and articles. How Long and How Should My Essay Be Formatted? Use 1.5 or 2.0 line spacing, 11 or 12 point font size. The title of your essay is the short title in bold lettering. Set the title 2” from the top of the page. Margins on the sides and bottom should be 1”. You do not need to include your name, my name, course number or date. Essays must be 2 ½ full pages minimum length, 3 ½ pages maximum length, not counting your source list. This is approximately 700-1000 words. Essays should be in complete sentence and paragraph format, no outlines or bullet points. Source List Directly at the end of your essay make a list of all the sources that you consulted to write your essay. Organize the list alphabetically by author. Include the author, title, and the source - book, or lecture, or internet. Note that Smarthistory videos all have authors. DO NOT CUT AND PASTE IN WEBSITES to document your sources. This is not a correct format. I will deduct at least 3 points off any essay that does not have a source list. Does Writing Style Matter?