Final Exam Study Guide

The Final Exam will cover all of the assigned readings from the textbook in Weeks 1–7 and the following TCOs in the course.

1: Given a work of art (such as a painting, poem, sonata, or cathedral), analyze its content and formal elements in order to formulate its meaning.

2: Given a critical interpretation or statement of aesthetics, evaluate its interpretation of – or statement about – an artwork using a different critical perspective.

3: Given two works from different arts (such as a photograph and a sculpture, or a painting and a poem), compare and contrast their contents, forms, and/or techniques, and evaluate the advantages and constraints of each art.

4: Given multiple works of art, classify them using a variety of approaches (by discipline, genre, style, period, etc.) in order to demonstrate the ability to contextualize the works and relate them to a variety of influences.

5: Given a work of art, such as a painting, sculpture, musical composition, literary work, film, and so forth, explain its relationship with the historical and social context in which it was created.

6: Given a significant technological advance (such as the printing press or the camera), assess the effects of the technological breakthrough on culture and art. 

7: Given a specific social movement (such as suffrage, civil rights, or gay rights), analyze how the arts interpreted and responded to the social phenomena.   

8: Given several philosophical orientations, especially ethical ones, assess their influences on the arts of a particular period in history.

Anatomy of the Exam

There are 10 objective questions (multiple choice) worth 5 points each.

There are three essay questions worth 50 points each.

Tips for Preparing for the Exam

1. Have the textbook available during the exam and use the index to find answers quickly.
2. Review the chapters in detail to familiarize yourself with the sections.

Tips for Taking the Exam

1. Be sure to set aside 3 hours and 30 minutes for the exam. You will have one opportunity to enter and complete the exam.
2. Work through each objective question carefully.  They are fact based so all of the information was taken from the text or lectures, but some of the questions will require critical thinking (such as “connect the dots” between an artist and a movement).
3. The essay questions are structured very much like the discussion questions in this course. They will ask for two to three levels of analysis such as “explain, define, and analyze.” These questions ask students to think critically about the periods and disciplines we have studied, as well as the philosophies associated with the works of art/periods. Students should be sure to answer each portion of the question. Be sure to work through each topic carefully and ensure that you have covered everything.

Academic Integrity

Please note that any copied or paraphrased materials in the exams must be cited. This includes but is not limited to the textbook, lecture material, web resources, and Grove Art. Copying content into your response, even when cited, does not satisfy the requirements for quality work at DVU. Please be sure that the majority (60% or more) of your writing in this exam is in your own words and it is your own original analysis, evaluation, explanation, and so forth. Lack of originality may result in a lower grade, and in cases where citations are not present, work may be turned over to the Academic Integrity committee for review.