ARTH219-CO1 — Syllabus, Fall 23/24

ARTH219-CO1: Pre-Columbian Art and

Architecture in Mesoamerica and the Andes
Dr Andrés David Montenegro Rosero
arosero@bridgew.edu
@profadmr
Web, Asynchronous
Fall 2023/24

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ARTH219-CO1 — Syllabus, Fall 23/24
Bridgewater State University
Department of Art and Art History
ARTH219-CO1: Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture in Mesoamerica and the Andes
Web, Asynchronous
Fall 2023/2024

Instructor: Dr Andrés David Montenegro Rosero

Office hours: By appointment, via Zoom, FaceTime or any other means necessary
Email: arosero@bridgew.edu
Website: https://bridgew.academia.edu/AndrésDavidMontenegroRosero
Twitter/Instagram: @profadmr
Credit Hours: 3.00
Prerequisites: None
Fulfills: Core-Fine and Performing Arts; Core-Global Culture; Core-Speaking Intensive; Core-Multiculturalism

Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the art, architecture, and other cultural products of pre-Columbian civilizations
in the Americas. The course is divided into two sections, each studying an important site of pre-Columbian
cultural activities: Mesoamerican Art and Architecture, and pre-Columbian Art and Architecture in the Andes.
The course places special emphasis on how various cultural manifestations, from mural painting to large-scale
architectural complexes, were embedded in broader economic, political, religious, and social systems; and on
the differences between how each civilization articulated their values and beliefs through art.

Course Format:
This course is a Speaking Intensive class. The majority of your grades will be based on oral presentations which
will take shape as narrated slide presentations. The course will be delivered entirely online asynchronously. That
means that we will not have a set scheduled time to meet as a class, but that students can access video lectures
and other class materials at your convenience, with specific set deadlines for work. There are two (2) required
textbooks for this course. All other reading/viewing materials are uploaded to the course’s Blackboard page.
This fourteen-week course is structured around content units following thematic threads. I have created
an individual folder for each week on our course’s Blackboard page containing the materials you are responsible
for during that specific week. This includes short videos I expect you will watch as well as reading materials
you are also required to complete. After the conclusion of each content unit, we will have a week without any
recorded lectures (Weeks 6 and 12). Instead, we will have 5/10 Minute virtual checkups to individually discuss
student progress, answer any questions about grades, course format, or assignments, and to touch base in
general.

Attendance:
Given the Web format of this course, whether you view or not the materials assigned for each week will be
counted as “attendance”. Blackboard has a feature that allows instructors to check who has engaged with what
we have uploaded, so I will be checking that on a weekly basis to make sure you are all on track. If you ever
feel like you’ve fallen behind, please let me know.
You also MUST attend one of two virtual checkups (Weeks 7 and 12). I will publish sig-up sheets by weeks 4
and 9, respectively. If the listed times do not fit anyone’s schedule, please let me know ASAP. I will work with
each and everyone of you to find a time for us to meet.

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Course Textbooks: There are two textbooks required for this class — Available through the BSU bookstore or
any major online retailer

• Mary Ellen Miller, The Art of Mesoamerica: From Olmec to Aztec, 6th Edition. London: Thames & Hudson,
2019 (5th edition also works)
• Rebecca R. Stone, Art of the Andes: From Chavín to Inca, 3rd Edition. London: Thames & Hudson, 2012

These are available via online retailers and the BSU Bookstore. If you have a hard time getting the books for
whatever reason, please reach out to me and we might be able to work something out.

(A) Methods content is introduced

Learning Objectives
(B) Methods of measuring learning
(A) L e c t u r e s , c h a p t e r r e a d i n g s ,
• Identify the hallmarks of regional and period styles in relation to Presentations
their technical, formal, and expressive character (B) Midterm, Final, Selfie Project,
Presentations
(A) Lectures, chapter readings, videos
• Understand the principal themes, subjects, and symbols of and animations, Presentations
Mesoamerican, and Andean pre-Columbian civilizations (B) Midterm, Final, Selfie Project,
Presentations
• Probe the relationship of works of art to human history by (A) Lectures, readings, Presentations
exploring their cultural, economic, political, social, spiritual, (B) Midterm, Final, Selfie Project,
moral, and intellectual contexts Presentations

• Recognize and apply the critical thinking, creative inquiry, and (A) Lectures, Presentations
disciplined reasoning that stand behind art historical
(B) Midterm, Final, Selfie Project,
interpretation, as well the vocabulary and concepts used to
Presentations
describe and characterize works of art with clarity and power

• Identify individual art works and architectural monuments by (A) Lectures, Presentations
artist’s name, title, medium, location of origin, and period of (B) Midterm, Final, Presentations, Selfie
production Project
(A) L e c t u r e s , c h a p t e r r e a d i n g s ,
• Conduct an objective, descriptive analysis of a work of art, as
Presentations
well as comparative exercises of two (2) or more works of art
(B) Midterm, Final, Presentations

Disability Policy:
In compliance with BSU policy and equal access legislation, I am available to discuss appropriate
accommodations that you may require as a student with disability. Requests for academic accommodations
should be made during drop/add period, unless there are unusual circumstances, so that appropriate
arrangements can be made. Students are encouraged to register with the Disability Resource Office in Boyden
Hall for disability verification and determination of reasonable academic accommodations.

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Course Expectations:
• Check Blackboard Course site regularly!!!
• Watch the assigned Video Lectures
• Watch the assigned Videos
• Read the required Readings
• No late work!!!
• PLEASE CHECK YOUR BSU EMAIL REGULARLY!!!

Assessment: Final grades will depend on the following five (5) components
• 2 Minute Presentation • 10%
• Quizzes (x9) • 20%
• 10 Minute Presentation • 20%
• Final Presentation Proposal • 20%
• Final Presentation • 30%
Total: • 100%

Grading Criteria:
A = 95-100 B = 83-86 C = 73-76 D = 63-66
A- = 90-95 B- = 80-82 C- = 70-72 D- = 60-62
B+ = 87-89 C+ = 77-79 D+ = 67-69 F = 59 and below

Academic Dishonesty:
All written assignments submitted for this class will be processed through SafeAssign to ensure students are
abiding to BSU Academic Integrity Policy. Any violations of academic honesty are very serious offenses with
very serious consequences. Grades and degrees earned by dishonest means devalue those earned by all other
students. Please make sure your written work complies with academic systems of citation, that your words are
your own, and that you properly credit outside assistance or sources where appropriate. Academic dishonesty
involves acts which may subvert or compromise the integrity of the learning process.
In our recent history, there are a myriad of examples of the demise of important individuals triggered by
acts of academic dishonesty. In Europe, as in the USA, several Ministers and politicians have lost their jobs and
suffered irreparable financial damages based on juvenile acts of plagiarism. This type of severe punishment was
based on how Academics react to acts of intellectual theft. If you get caught cheating on your papers, Midterms
or Final Exams, you will unleash a similar wrath.1*

Missed or Late Work:

There will be no make up dates for deadlines except by medical excuse. Please bring a Doctor’s signed excuse
as soon as possible in order to re-schedule.

1 Many thanks to Prof. Thomas Kee from the Theater Department for his help in drafting this warnin
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Assignments:

• 2-Minute Individual Presentation: 10%

• Record and submit a two-minute (2m) introduction video or Narrated Slide presentation. I should be able to
see your face, and you should answer the following questions:
• Preferred Name
• Year
• Have you taken any previous art history courses, if so which ones?
• Do you have a favorite contemporary/living artist (not musician or actor but visual or performing artist)?
• Why are you taking the course?
• Two things about yourself for me to remember
• Due by 11:59pm, 02/03, via BlackBoard

• Reading Quizzes (x9): 20%

• To make sure you are keeping up with the weekly reading assignments, there will be 10 (10) Reading
Quizzes.
• Each of them is comprised of (15-20) multiple choice questions plus two (2) Extra Credit points.
• To be uploaded on Monday mornings and will be due by the end of the week (Fridays, 11.59pm).
• Open Book/Notes
• You will receive your grade as soon as you complete your Quiz (Blackboard automatic grading).

• 10-Minute presentation: 20%

• Create a 10-Minute Narrated Slide Presentation that explores the main characteristics of Classic Maya Art
and Architecture. You can focus on one artwork/site, or provide an overview of the urban development of a
particular metropolis, compare and contrast several cities and their art and architectural styles, whatever you
want.
• You will need to create of a Narrated Slide Presentation that weaves together different artworks from a
particular thematic perspective.
• A few things things to keep in mind:
• Themes & Subjects — What is the main idea running through your presentation? How is that idea
developed throughout (artworks)? How are these subjects/sections interrelated?
• Case Studies/Examples — Which artworks are the most important to illustrate the main ideas of your
presentation?
• Due by 11:59pm, 03/03, via BlackBoard

• Final Presentation Abstract/Proposal: 20%

• In consultation with me (via email or virtual conversation), produce a 250/500 word Research Statement; an
Annotated Bibliography and a Video Presentation Proposal.
• Research statement should that specifies what theme, topic, or artist you want to study for your Final
Presentation due at the end of Finals.
• Make sure you are as precise as possible and really describe the "meat" of your research
• Annotated bibliography of at least five (5) sources you have identified for your research.
• 100/150 word entries on each source and how you plan to use it in your research

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• Must be accredited sources like Museum websites, peer reviewed articles, books, educational videos,
etc, NOT broad and unreliable sources like wikipedia or Encyclopedia Britannica or other dodgy sites
like that. You can use the book and other class readings for this part of the assignment.
• Video Presentation Proposal (5-minutes)
• Make sure to discuss your research statement
• Must discuss at least one artwork related to your research question/statement
• Due by 11:59pm, 04/14, via BlackBoard

• Final Presentation: 30%

• Produce a 15 Minute Narrated Powerpoint/Video on the topic selected for your Paper Abstract/Proposal
• For this keynote, you will have to select three (3) images from the reading materials and three (3) images
from accredited museum collections. Your selection must be thematic, that is, works must “make sense”
together, and your presentation should explain why you selected those works as well as the overall theme of
your presentation.
• few things to keep in mind
A
• Theme — It is paramount that the works you choose be connected in some way. This could be in terms of
how they were made, or what ideas they expressed, or what they depicted/represented.
• Sources — It is really important that you make sure you can access relevant sources of information for your
research. You will have to dig deeper than museum websites and wikipedia pages and look for peer-
reviewed articles in databases such as JSTOR (accessible through the library website).
• Images — Your presentation should not have blurry images or photographs of images from textbooks or
from the screen. You are expected to scan them or find good quality examples online. You are also expected
to label each image with the most important information such as title, author, date, technique, location, etc.
• Early bird — The earlier you start thinning about this, the better. The sooner you contact me to discuss your
idea, the sooner I can send you some bibliography or sources to make your life easier.
• Due by 11,59pm, 05/05, via BlackBoard

• Extra Credit/Bonus Points opportunities:

• #Kar(t)ma points
• Connect the material studied in class to your daily life. Take a picture that relates the material
studied in class to the world outside of the classroom. You could, for example, find columns that
resemble classical orders; or find a contemporary newspaper/magazine using material studied in
class. A Meme? Maybe!!! See my Twitter/Instagram for examples.
• Take a screen-shot and send it to me via email with a short description of how you think it relates to
our course content
• 1 point per approved submission, added to your Final Grade tally, maximum of 12

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Resources:

General:
Chicago Manual of Style, 16th edition — Maxwell Library, Bridgewater State University guide:
http://library.bridgew.edu/maxweb/pdf/chicago_style812.pdf

Art History:
Maxwell Library Art History subject guide:
http://maxguides.bridgew.edu/c.php?g=339132&p=2284610

Maxwell Library Databases:

-ARTstor — Over 1 million digital images
-EBSCO Databases — Journals and Magazines
-GALE Databases — Journals and Magazines
-JSTOR — Journals and Magazines
-Project MUSE — Journals and Magazines
-Britannica Online — Encyclopedia

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Heilbronn Timeline of Art History:

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/

The Getty Research Institute Art & Architecture Thesaurus Online:

http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabularies/aat/index.html

Mesoamerica and the Andes:

Foundation for the Advancement of Mesoamerican Studies:
http://www.famsi.org

Maya vase database:

http://research.mayavase.com/kerrmaya.html

National Museum of the American Indian:

http://www.nmai.si.edu

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 Schedule of Instruction (Subject to change):
Week Date Topic Required Reading Due

M, 09/06 — Introduction
1
F, 09/08 Syllabus review and Semester overview • Syllabus

Introduction
M, 09/11 — • Pre-Columbian Art: Between Art History and 2MP
2 • Miller, Ch 1
F, 09/15 Archeology Q1
• Establishing a common visual language

The Olmec
M, 09/18 — • The Origin of all: The Olmec Maize God
3 • Miller, Ch 2 Q2
F, 09/22 • Colossal Heads of San Lorenzo
• Art and Architecture of La Venta

Teotihuacán
M, 09/25 — • Astral Urban Planning
4 • The Pyramids of the Sun, the Moon, and the • Miller, Ch 4 Q3
F, 09/29
Feathered Serpent
• Painting and Sculpture in Teotihuacan

The Early Classic Maya:

Tikal & Tikal (Redux)
M, 10/02 — • The Origins of Tikal: Yax Nuun Ayiin (“First
5 Crocodile”) • Miller, Ch 5 & 6 Q4
F, 10/06
• The Rise of Tikal: Siyah Chan K’awiil II (Sky-born
K’awiil)
• The Tikal Comeback: Jasaw Chan K’awiil’s Star Wars

5/10 Minute One-to-One Checkup

M, 10/09 — • OPTIONAL
6 • Zoom, FaceTime, whichever 10MP
F, 10/13
• Schedule online
• First come, first served

M, 10/16 — No class
7
F, 10/20

M, 10/23 — The Late Classic Maya: Palenque & Copán

8 • The Art and architecture of Palenque • Miller, Ch 7 Q5
F, 11/03
• The Art and architecture of Copan

The Aztec
M, 11/06 — • The Mixtec: An Origin Story
9 • Miller, Ch 9 Q6
F, 11/10 • Tenochtitlan
• Imperial Aztec arts
 Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture in South
M, 11/13 — America
10 • Stone, Ch 1 Q7
F, 11/17 • Chiribiquete
• Chavín de Huantar

“Vertical” societies: Pacific and Andean Cultures

M, 11/20 — • Paracas visual culture
11 • Stone, Ch 2 Q8
F, 11/22 • Nazca art
• Moche ceremonial art and architecture

5/10 Minute One-to-One Checkup

• MANDATORY
M, 11/27 —
12 • Zoom, FaceTime, whichever FPP
F, 12/01 • Schedule online
• First come, first served

M, 12/04 — The First Andean Empires

13 • Tiwanaku • Stone, Ch 5
F, 12/08
• Wari

The Largest Empire in the Americas: The Inca

• Terraforming: The Environmental architecture of the
M, 12/11 — Inca
14 • Stone, Ch 7 Q9
F, 12/13 • More than clothing: The social function of Inca
textiles
• Less is more: Devotional sculpture in the Inca world
FP due by 11.59pm, 12/17

2MP: 2 Minute Presentation — 10%

Q: Quizzes (x10) — 20%
10MP: 10 Minute Presentation —20%
FPP: Final Presentation Proposal — 20%
FP: Final Presentation — 30%