Course Description: In cultural history this summer, we will be surveying Western culture-- focusing on ancient cultures, the Renaissance, and the twentieth century. Students will write a paper during each two week unit and participate in slide identification, guided reading, and video documentary discussion of art pieces from each of the three units. To enhance this online course, we took a field trip to the Dali museum last Tuesday and were able to witness firsthand a major restoration of Dali’s works (costing over $900,000). The course objectives of my class are that students become enlightened observers of the arts, learn to describe and interpret achievement in the arts, and gain experience in articulating how works of art express social and cultural issues.

Isabella Araya: Isabella ended the course with a bang! Her final side IDs were thorough and showed her own unique perspective, and her final essay on the cultural relevance of the Nintendo Gaming System, Wii, articulated the utility and the influence of this iconic system. It was a pleasure to teach Isabella this summer; she has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes her world.

Jon Ayers: It has been a pleasure teaching Jon this summer. I’ve enjoyed his unique perspective on the art we’ve studied: he is honest and appreciative. His writing voice is personal and confident, and I enjoyed reading his final essay on the culture of The Masters tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Jon has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes his world.

Alexis Burnette: Alexis’s final slide IDs were some of the most precise and articulate I’ve read. Her essay on the cultural relevance of the Apple ipod was engaging, but could have been even more informative and polished with increased attention to specific detail, expert quotes, and conventions of grammar. It was my pleasure to have Alexis as a student; she brings to the study of art a unique pragmatism and curiosity.

Emily Harwell: Emily finished the course on a high note! Her essay on the Apple ipod’s cultural relevance and impact on the twenty-first century was one of the most informative, polished, and engaging essays I’ve read for this assignment due to the variety of sources Emily used and her focus and organization. It was a pleasure to teach Emily this summer; she has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes her world.

Aidan Jebson: Aidan has earned the title of “most improved student” in this course. His final slide ID’s were thorough and thought-provoking, and his final essay on Big Ben was his best yet. Aidan has taken advantage of the ability to rewrite essays in this course, and has also improved his writing over the course of seven weeks by combining sentences, working on proper MLA documentation of research, and enhanced word choice. These skills will assist him in all areas of his studies next year and beyond. It was a pleasure to teach Aidan this summer; he has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes his world.

Stephen Jordan: Stephen’s positive attitude, capable personality, and diligence have led to his success in this course. I particularly enjoyed Stephen’s last essay on the cultural relevance of Fenway Park. This essay was organized, focused, and unique. By bringing his own interests into this course, Stephen has engaged me in his essays and brought his own voice and perspective to the study of art. It was a pleasure to teach Stephen this summer; he has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes his world.

Sam Moench: More than any other student in this course, Sam has shown me her own passion for the art we’ve studied. I’ve enjoyed her unique perspective on these pieces; she is deeply appreciative of their unique roles in art history. I enjoyed reading Sam’s final essay on the culture of The Olympics, and this particular upcoming Olympics in London. Sam has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes her world.

Pranavi Ramireddy: Pranavi’s diligence and attention to detail make her a model student. I’ve enjoyed her unique perspective on the art we’ve studied: she is blatantly honest and curious about each piece. I enjoyed reading her final essay on the culture and impact of Legos. This essay would have been even more successful with a variety of sources and research. Overall, Pranavi has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes her world.

Justin Thomas: Justin has ended the course on a high note. His final slide IDs were thorough and well documented, and his last essay on the cultural impact of Nike shoes was even more polished in its final draft. I commend Justin for taking advantage of the ability to rewrite essays in my course. He has improved his writing by working on areas like MLA documentation of research, grammar conventions, and enhanced word choice. These skills will assist him in all areas of his studies next year and beyond. It was a pleasure to teach Justin; he has successfully analyzed a wide survey of art and demonstrated an understanding of how art shapes his world.