Theory of Knowledge Cultural trip assignment When you return from your cultural trip, you will write

an essay that will focus on a single piece of art. This means that while you are touring museums, galleries, churches, etc. you should make note of various pieces of art, i.e. painting and sculpture that fascinate you or move you in some way. The more intrigued you are by your choice, the easier it will be to spend the required time with it when you return home. For the pieces you will consider, be sure to write down the artist and the location. Choose pieces that you feel confident you will be able to research on line and/or in books. I will be approving your choices, as not everyone can have the same piece, so it would be in your best interest to have choice A, B, and probably even C. The following is a four-step process that is used to respond to a piece of art. Use this guide to make notes; these notes will become the basis for your essay. Step one: Description Make a list of all the things that you see in the work. o What is the first thing that strikes you? o What is happening? Be objective; stick to the facts. o What is going on in the painting or with the figures in the sculpture? Include the size of the work and information on the medium (the kind of paint, the marble, etc.) Step two: Analysis Pay attention to the elements and principles of art; notice things like line, shape, use of space, blank space, color, value, texture, etc. Notice the composition, movement, balance, proportion, variety, emphasis and unity Are there objects that are symbolic? Of what? (You might research this later.) How are the people or objects positioned? (How might this be important? Step three: Interpretation Ask yourself: what is happening? What is the message? As you try to interpret the art, you will need to make guesses. Your experiences may influence your interpretation, but also the facts and clues you collected during the first two steps will support your interpretation. Step four Explain the knowledge you have of this piece of art. Make and support claims about the time of its creation and the values of the people as reflected in the art. (You may cite sources here.) How does this piece of art appeal to your senses and your

emotions? Your final comment should be about how you "know" this piece of art after having spent so much time with it.

Essay In a well thought out and written piece of between 1,200 and 1,600 words you will choose one piece of art in which you will respond to the question, How can one find knowledge in this piece of art Explain the knowledge you have of this piece of art. Make and support claims about the time of its creation and the values of the people as reflected in the art. (You may cite sources here.) How does this piece of art appeal to your senses and your emotions? Your final comment should be about how you "know" this piece of art after having spent so much time with it.

Introduction: (suggestion 150-200 words) Introduce the5s -- Who was the artist/creator and perhaps patron of the object? When was it created? Where is it now? You may include any other interesting fact(s) of this sort. Your last sentence should indicate the general content of your exploration (for instance, the description, analysis and interpretation of the work). In this paper, you will describe X, offer Analysis of Y in X, and show that X is A, B, C. Body paragraphs: This is a Close Reading activity. You will explore/examine/pick apart your piece of art. The number of paragraphs will be as needed, yet suggested by the final sentence of your introduction. (suggestion 1000-1400 words) Conclusion: see "step four from above, or look here: (150-200) Explain the knowledge you have of this piece of art. Make and support claims about the time of its creation and the values of the people as reflected in the art. (You may cite sources here.) How does this piece of art appeal to your senses and your emotions? Your final comment should be about how you "know" this piece of art after having spent so much time with

it. Your essay will be typed and will include a full bibliography. Specific mention of specific pieces of art should include a small image of that piece as an appendix. In addition, when we return, we will do an annotation of the piece that also must be included as an appendix. This does not count against (or towards) your word count. It must be between 1,200 and 1,600 words. It will be due two weeks after we return from Italy. It will be a major grade ( 20% of your Semester Grade). Late work will lose 20% per day off of the final grade.