Discussion 1

Distinguish between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods in terms of time and cultural developments. Compare and contrast specific examples of artifacts, practices, and systems of belief. Discuss why art survives or does not.

Include the four reasons Getlein cites for how art survives, giving an example of art work from both the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods that meet one of these requirements. What types of art work or materials would not likely survive? How might this affect our opinion of a culture?

RESPOND TO EBBA: 2-4 Sentences

The Paleolithic age ended long before the start of the Neolithic age. The Neolithic age lasted for a much shorter duration in comparison to the Paleolithic age. The Paleolithic man moved in search of food. The Neolithic man moved in search of fertile land and water sources. The Paleolithic man was a hunter and gatherer whereas the Neolithic man cultivated crops. The Paleolithic society had a primitive type of government composed of families ruled by men. In the Neolithic era the society had complex governance which had a chief who ruled the council. The Neolithic era developed a barter system of trade. Trade was absent in the Paleolithic era. People of the Paleolithic age made use of tools made up of stone and bones whereas in the Neolithic era, people started using tools made up of metals as copper and bronze. The Neolithic era saw the innovation of pottery, wheel, weapons, farming, banking, and trade. And this innovation is still improving and growing today. All this was absent in the Paleolithic era.

RESPOND TO MILLS: 2-4 Sentences

During the Paleolithic period, which started 2.6 million year ago and is also known as the Old stone age, discoveries such as fire and stone tools where utilized to help create artwork. People who lived in the Paleolithic age used fire and stone tools to create the paintings that were found in the Chauvet cave, which is in France. Around ten thousand B.C the Neolithic era began, and new discoveries where created and found, such as pottery and the use of animals to help with crop irrigation. The main difference between the two eras is that the Neolithic era was more advanced and did not rely solely on the cave paintings to produce artwork. In my opinion, what determines if art survives or dies is its value and meaning to the people of that era. Art that is more valued tends to be taken care of better. According to Getlein, art survives due to the following reasons: the art must be of durable material, second the local environment should not be destructive, third the culture is highly organized, fourth the culture had traditions of keeping its artwork with limited accessibility. Getlein’s reasons for the survival of art focuses on the physical preservation of the artwork which is crucial for artwork  to withstand hundreds of years of wear and tear.

Discussion 2

This is a two-part discussion. Both parts should be submitted together in the same initial post.

First, describe the shift in the Roman Empire that created Byzantium in the East and what would eventually become Europe in the West and explain the impact of this political, religious, and social split on the art produced in these regions in this era. Provide specific examples of particular works of art or architecture to illustrate your points.

Second, trace the subsequent development of art in the East and the West from the Early through the High and Late Middle Ages by citing specific works of art or architecture and describing characteristic features these works exemplify. Be sure to include the each of the following terms in your discussion:

· animal style

· Carolingian

· Romanesque

· Gothic

Teachers Response to Me: Need Response back/ (2) Sentences

Christian art developed many symbols for art in the Period of Persecution (33-313 CE) and those symbols continued to be incorporated into art in the Period of Recognition that followed.   Did you see any examples of symbolism in the art in the chapters this week?

Respond to Norfleet: 2-4 Sentences

The shift in the Roman Empire created lots of change throughout, and made huge impacts politically, religiously, and socially. During this time the rise of Christianity took place, changing the cultural dynamic of everything and everyone drastically, it even attracted more wealthy and influential people. Politically during this time there were many different political enemies and visions on how things should be within Christianity. Within the social split of art Constantine wanted to make a lot of changes in order for people to accept Christianity. An artwork that shows this kind of change would be the sculpture of his Triumphal Arch (15.1 Pg. 356).

Respond to Matthews:

The shift in the Roman Empire that gave way to Byzantium started in the year 313. This led to church’s being built in a uniform style called balisca. In 324 Constantine decided to transform Byzantium into a new capital called Constantinople. In attempt to strengthen his empire and rule it more securely. As power shifted to the east, the art spread with it. Byzantium art was mostly religious. Byzantium architecture was based on Roman architecture. Later, a more Greek style was adopted. The Greatrt Masterpiece (13.17) is an example of early Byzantium architecture. The interior focal point is the dome due to its height. At the western entrance and eastern liturgical sider are arched openings, extended by half domes of identical diameter to the center dome and carries on smaller semi domed exedras’. Roman architecture concentrated more on the exterior features. Domes were also not prominent features in Roman architecture. Abbey Church of Sainte-foy (15.24) (13.10) is an example of early Roman architecture.

Animal style is the first known style of art. Found in northwestern Europe. (15.11) This piece consists of entire animal bodies, stretched into ribbons to form symmetrical shapes. Carolingian art came after animal style of art. It is featured in manuscripts, sculpture, architecture, and religious artifacts. (15.13) An example of Carolingian. Showing similarities of Roman architecture. Romanesque and Gothic architecture are very close in resemblance. Romanesque has barrel vaulted ceilings (13.10)  and Gothic architecture was strengthened from the Romanesque base. The Cathedral of Notre Dame (13.11) shows the similarities.

 Analysis of The Confessions of Lady Nijo

You are reading a memoir of a court lady from medieval Japan.  The author reflects on her relationships with some of the leading political, religious, and cultural figures of her era.  Your assignment is to write an analytical paper about medieval Japanese society using this source as your primary evidence.  Identify some theme or issue and use the book to document and analyze this aspect of Japanese society.

Questions you could ask might include for example, what does the book tell you about the religious beliefs of the author and those around her?  How does the author describe and reflect on women’s status and or gender roles more generally? How do cultural or artistic practices influence the way people interact with one another?  Your paper should have a clear and original thesis statement that reflects your take on the contents of the source.  You are free to choose the focus of your paper as long as you support your points with specific examples from the book.

Specifications and format

Length: 1000-1500 words

Provide a “works cited” with citations for each source that is used in the essay (as well as any other text or source that was used to prepare the argument). You do not need to put this on a separate page (save paper and put it on the last page of the text). There is also no need for a title page.

Citation format: All citations should use footnotes that follow the format established by the Chicago Manual of Style.  You will find the quick guide for this here: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html

Tips and Hints

This is an argumentative paper that should make a historical argument. This argument should be what drives the paper (and determines its organization).

The main conclusion should be expressed in a clear thesis statement in the introductory paragraph.

Make sure to combine claims with evidence: each claim should be supported with observations (or quotes) from the source; no observation (or quote) should remain without explanation or commentary.

The guideline for quotes is: paraphrase if you can, quote if you must (for example, when the tone of the source is your focus). Quotes must be integrated logically and grammatically: never leave a quote without commentary; sentences with quotes must still make sense and be grammatically correct.