STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

         A.      Think analytically and critically about individual works of art by

                 1.      Describing the most significant basic elements and their effects on the work of art.

                 2.      Evaluating the effects of geography, economics, politics, religion and science on the stylistic features of the art and the values of a culture.

                 3.      Relating the major values and concerns of a historical era to the art forms of the period.

                 4.      Interpreting their symbols and theses.

         B.      Recognize and describe structural and stylistic relationships among the arts.

         C.      Compare eras studied in class.

         D.      Compare and contrast the stylistic features of similar arts, and the values reflected in them, from several historical periods in Mexico in order to:

                 1.      Demonstrate an awareness of the legacy of various civilizations.

                 2.      Promote respect for different ways of dealing with common issues.

         E.      Write and speak clearly and logically, in presentations and essays, about topics studied in humanities.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Definitions of Terms: The Sacred and Rituals

         A.      Define the term ¿Sacred¿

                 1.      Provide a general definition of the term sacred that applies to several cultures.

                 2.      Define the term sacred as it applies to the specific cultures studied in the course.

         B.      Identify the rituals, ceremonies and activities associated with the sacred in each culture.

 II.     Sacred Spaces

         A.      Discuss the different types of sacred space identified by gods, priests and laity in various cultures:  natural settings, man-made sites, sites sacred due to events.

         B.      Contrast the shape, size, materials and interior and exterior decoration of sacred spaces, Pre-Columbian Indian America, Latin America, and Southwestern U.S.

         C.      Identify the symbols and myths reflected in the design and decoration of sacred spaces.

         D.      Discuss the origin, purpose and meaning of activities and ceremonies performed and arts displayed in the sacred spaces of various cultures.

         E.      Provide reasons why sacred spaces are located in specific places.

 III.    Sacred Visual Images

         A.      Identify the sacred images in each culture studied in class which are most frequently represented in art, explain their purposes and how they are presented (i.e., attributes, colors, stylistic features).

         B.      Describe the role of the artist in the creation of sacred art in each culture studied.

         C.      Identify specific influences from previous cultural groups or eras on the arts of Hispanic/Latino cultures.

         D.      Analyze the sacred images from several cultures.

 IV.     Poetry: Sacred Subjects and Uses

         A.      Compare the stylistic features of poetry of the same subject matter from Pre-Columbian Indian, Spanish and Southwest Indian cultures.

         B.      Compare Hispanic and Native American poetry (similar topics, i.e., creation, gods and myths, conquest, death) to reveal historical context and cultural values.

         C.      Compare the uses of poetry and song in each of the cultures studied.

         D.      Read poetry aloud to discover differences in rhythm, language, phrasing and rhyme.