In this section, the essential terms relevant to the study of GE 7 (Arts Appreciation) and to
demonstrate ULOa will be operationally defined to establish a common frame of reference.

1. Art. It is derived from the Latin word “ars,” meaning ability or skill.

2. Humanities. It comes from the Latin stem “homin,” “hominem,” referring to man. 

3. Nature of Humanities. It generally refers to art, literature, music, architecture, dance, and the
theatre—in which human subjectivity is emphasized and individual expressiveness is dramatized
(Cambridge Dictionary).

4. Quadrivium. A medieval university curriculum involving the “mathematical arts” of arithmetic,

geometry, astronomy, and music.

5. Trivium. An introductory curriculum at a medieval university involving the study of grammar,

rhetoric, and logic.

Humanities (its Meaning, History, and Importance)

“Humanities may be defined as the study of man’s nature, his culture, the evolution, of his thinking,
and ideas, his aspirations, and ideals, acquired through the examination of his works by historical
analysis” (Humanities Committee as cited by Pasigui et al., 2009).

1.1 In studying humanities, man learns to be human. Through humanities, man seeks to enrich and
enable his early life by uplifting his potentials. He acquires the right behavior towards others: softness,
understanding, and proper conduct.

1.2 Humanities began to be studied in the Renaissance period. Rather than practicing with a
corresponding shift away from the traditional fields into literature and history.

1.3 During Roman times, the concept of seven liberal arts evolved, involving grammar, rhetoric, and
logic (the Trivium), along with arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music (the Quadrivium). 

1.4  Importance of Humanities. The study of humanities provides man a thorough knowledge of his
history and his cultural tradition. It also helps man acquire the values and wisdom essential for human
survival and progress. It helps man develop critical thinking, which is important in everyday life, by
exposing him to varied concepts, ideas, and forms that man has created. And, Humanities like similar
fields of study “can help promote man’s intellectual, social, moral and aesthetic development.”

2. Nature of Arts (its Meaning, Importance, Functions, and Theories). Art is derived from the Latin
word “ars,” meaning ability or skill. It covers those areas of artistic creativity that seek to communicate
beauty primarily through the senses.

2.1 Art begins as a human encounter or experience of nature in all its depth and variety. 

2.2 Art begins with encountering something primarily outside of us and applying the human
invention, capturing it as a significant and worthwhile encounter – at least to ourselves.
2.2.1 Intrapersonal. The inner world of thoughts, imagination, feelings, and desire.

2.2.2 Societal and Interpersonal. Large group encounters and one-on-one encounters.

2.2.3 Metapersonal and Transcendent. We pick and choose those who don’t believe in reality beyond
human senses or our understanding and day-to-day experience.

2.3 A popular term used to designate art today is design, as in graphic design. The design comes from
the Italian word “design,” which means drawing or drawing a line; it also means setting boundaries.

2.4 It represents or reflects the individual, the character of the period, and the place where it was
produced.

2.5 According to Leo Tolstoy, art is to evoke in oneself a feeling one has experienced and have
evoked it in oneself, then through movements, lines, colors, sounds, or forms expressed in words to
transmit that others may experience the same feeling.

2.6 Art is not in nature. Man makes art; even if it resembles nature, it remains different from nature.
What is art is not nature; what is nature is, is not art. 

Scenario: A customer in a boutique saw a painting that seems to be a real woman…

Customer: “I never saw a woman look like that!” 

Saleslady: “Madam, that is not a woman; that is a painting. A woman must be looked at as a woman, and
painting as a painting.”

2.7 Importance of Arts. It helps us to open our minds to the richness and beauty around us. It
teaches us to know our history and culture, as well as other people. It also helps us communicate our ideas
and feelings through sensuous mediums, like color, words, film, and other media. Moreover, it helps us
appreciate the aesthetic beauty that arouses our emotions, enchants our senses, opens our minds, and
kindles our imagination. Furthermore, it cultivates or practices one’s abilities for self-expression,
imagination, and creativity.

3.10 The Functions of the Arts.

3.10.1 Contextual Function of Art. First, proceed with this caution: No piece of art can be "assigned" a
function (or functions), either in essay form or in casual conversation, if it isn't first considered within the
proper context. Trying to classify function depends on context (Essak as cited by Pasigui et al., 2009).

3.10.2 Physical Function of Art. If you see a Fijian war club, however wonderful the craftsmanship may
be, you may assume that it was created to perform smashing skulls' physical function.
3.10.3 Social Function of Art. To influence the human behavior created primarily in public and public
situations; and express or describe social or collective aspects of human existence (e.g., Religions, Social
Classes).

3.10.4 Personal Function of Art. It is the most difficult to explain in any great detail. This is self-
expression or gratification (e.g., a fashion model). It also varies from person to person. It can be
therapeutic for both the artist and the viewer. 

3.10.5 Socio-Cultural Function of Art. It gives form to fundamental beliefs and feelings; they serve as
conduits for culture and culture carriers. This is essential to engage in the rituals that serve as the
ingredients required to nurture and sustain society.

History of Arts in the Philippines

The art of the Philippines refers to the works of art that have developed and accumulated in the
Philippines from the beginning of civilization in the country up to the present era. Philippine art reflects
to its society and non-Filipinos the wide range of cultural influences in the country’s culture and how
these influences honed country’s arts. In the 1920s. Fernando Amorsolo and his constituents established
the Amorsolo School of painting. Its influence would continue to grow for decades, where their work
became widely known.

Their works were not only seen as paintings, but were widely reproduced in calendars, cards, illustrations
for books, publication, and corporate advertisements. In sculpture, Guillermo Tolentino was trained in the
academy in Rome. He became the proponent of classical sculpture in the Philippines, as seen in his public
monuments and statues. The art of the Philippines can be divided into two. (Traditional arts and non-
Traditional arts)
  Traditional Art- Bearers of traditional arts can be nominated as Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan
(GAMABA), equal to National Artist. Forms of this art are: folk architecture, weaving, carving,
folk performing arts, folk graphic arts, and folk oral literature.
 Non-Traditional Arts- Bearers non-traditional arts can be nominated as National Artist, equal to
Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan. Forms of this art are: dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature,
film and broadcast art, architecture and design.

Theories of Arts
To demonstrate ULOb, you will need to have an operational understanding of the following terms below.

1. Art. It encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative
arts, photography, and installation (Encyclopædia Britannica).

2. Elements of Art - The building blocks or ingredients of art.

3. Principles of Art - The tools we use to organize the elements of arts.

Elements of Arts
To demonstrate ULOc, you will need to have an operational understanding of the following terms below.

 1.      Art. It encompasses diverse media such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, drawing, decorative arts,
photography, and installation (Encyclopædia Britannica).

2.      Subject - A term used for whatever is represented in a work of art.

3.      Method - A way or representation that an artist uses to express the idea he wants to make clear. Certain
methods of presenting arts are employed for it to be effective.