Course Syllabus

Week 1 Art as a Phenomenon

• purpose and importance of art
• types of arts
• plastic and performing arts
• entertainment and food for thought, highbrow and lowbrow tastes

Week 2 Architecture and Sculpture

• purpose of architecture and sculpture
• principles of architecture and sculpture
• historical periods and styles

Week 3 Architecture and Sculpture

• description of famous buildings
• descriptions of famous sculptures
• famous architects and sculptors
• British and American architecture and sculpture

Week 4 Painting

• definition of painting
• painting media
• types of painting
• genres of painting
• principles of composition

Week 5 Painting

• historical periods and artistic schools
• British and American Artists
• description of pictures

Week 6  Contemporary Art

• purpose and focus of contemporary art
• new types of visual arts: conceptual art, installation, street art, happening
• innovative and negative features

Week 7 Literature

• purpose of literature
• types and genres of books
• principles of composition and characterization

Week 8 Literature

• British and American authors
• personal preferences
• book reviews

Week 9 Theatre

• origins of theatre
• historical periods
• genres of plays

Week 10 Theatre

• British, American, Russian and other national theatrical schools
• commercial and experimental theatre

Week 11 Theatre

• acting principles and skills
• great actors
• performance review

Week 12 Cinema

• origins of cinema
• influence and the role of Hollywood
• mainstream and art house
• types and genres of films blockbusters, turkeys and cult movies

Week 13 Cinema

• personal preferences
• film stars
• film reviews

Week 14 Music

• music as a performing art
• genres of music
• principles of making music
• great composers
• music as business
• CD reviews
• personal preferences

Week 15 Revision