Touchstone 4: Art and Architecture: Uniting Culture, Innovation, and Religious Idea

A. Directions

Step 1: Introduction (100-200 words)

Begin your paper with an introduction that provides an overview of the assignment. Clearly state the purpose and the key points the paper will make. Remember to introduce both parts of the assignment (Innovations in Art and Architecture and Art, Architecture, and Religious Expression) in the introduction.

Step 2: Innovations in Art and Architecture (300-500 words)

This course considers several examples of innovations in both art and architecture, including the evolution of form in Greek sculpture, images of Christ, dome architecture, architecture as a place where people attempt to be closer to the gods and/or to the heavens (architecture as a holy mountain).

For this section of your paper, you will select two examples of artistic or architectural works covered in the course and discuss how these works built on past innovations to create something entirely new.

Follow this structure:

1. Choose a Subject: Select two structural innovations OR two technological innovations in either art or architecture that have significantly impacted its respective field. This could be a particular style, technique, or design concept.
2. Historical Context: For each innovation, describe the historical context in which it emerged. Highlight the key developments and influences that led to its creation.
3. Analysis of Innovation: Analyze how each innovation is built upon past techniques or styles. Discuss the elements that distinguished it from previous approaches.
4. Comparative Analysis: Compare the selected works, highlighting similarities and differences in their expressions of innovation.

Click here to open a list of suggested works. You may choose from this list, but you are not required to.

• Stonehenge – Salisbury Plain, England
• The Great Ziggurat of Ur – Ur, Iraq
• The Parthenon – Athens, Greece
• The Pantheon – Rome, Italy
• Florence Cathedral – Florence, Italy
• Trajan’s Column – Rome, Italy
• The Lion Gate at Mycenae – Mycenae, Greece
• Ishtar Gate (reconstruction) – Pergamon Museum, Berlin
• House Altar depicting Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and their three daughters – Berlin, Germany
• Dome of the Rock – Jerusalem

hintEnsure your information and citations come from the Sophia tutorials to support your response. When citing material from a tutorial, please include the name of the lesson and use the following format:

• In-text citation: For example, (Romanesque Architecture, n.d.) or (Influence of Buddhism on Ancient Indian Art, n.d.). Please note these are examples only. You must adjust the citation based on the specific tutorial you are referencing.

Step 3: Art, Architecture, and Religious Expression (300-500 words)

You have learned how art and architecture express the values of various religions. Some of the cultures and religions discussed in this course include:

• Mesopotamia
• Egypt
• Hinduism
• Jainism
• Buddhism
• Islam
• Christianity
• Mesoamerican culture

For this section of the paper, you will choose two specific religious works of art or architecture covered in the course and analyze how they embody the values and ideals of their respective cultures.

Follow this structure:

1. Select Works: Choose two specific religious works of art or architecture.
2. Religious Values and Ideals: Analyze how each work embodies the ideals and values of its respective culture and religion. Consider the symbolism, motifs, and architectural elements that convey religious meaning.
3. Cultural Context: Provide background information on each selected work’s culture and religious beliefs. Explain how these cultural contexts influenced the creation and design of the artwork or architecture.
4. Comparative Analysis: Compare the selected works, highlighting similarities and differences in their expressions of religious values.

Click here to open a list of suggested works. You may choose from this list, but you are not required to. hintTo support your response for this section as well, make sure your information and citations come from the Sophia tutorials.Step 4: Conclusion (100-200 words)

Summarize your key findings. Reiterate the significance of the relationship of art and architecture with culture, innovation, and religious expression.

Step 5: Submit Your Touchstone

As you write, check your work against the Rubric (Section B) and Requirements (Section C) to confirm your Touchstone is complete and ready to submit. Revise as needed. Remember to include your name, date, and course at the top left of your paper when you submit.

B. Rubric

Advanced (100%)Proficient (85%)Acceptable (75%)Needs Improvement (50%)Non-performance (0%)

Innovations: Selection of Examples

Selects two innovative aspects of art or architecture that are relevant to the assignment prompt. (8%)Demonstrates a clear understanding of two chosen examples and their relevance to innovation.Selects two relevant examples with a clear connection to innovation. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present.Selects two relevant examples, but the connection to innovation may be vague.Selects only one relevant example.Does not select any relevant examples.

Innovations: Historical Context

Provides an overview of the historical context surrounding the two chosen innovations, supported by citations referring to specific course tutorials. (10%)Provides a comprehensive and insightful overview of the historical context surrounding the two chosen innovations, supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Provides an overview of the historical context of the two chosen innovations. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present. The historical overview is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Offers a basic overview of the historical context of the two chosen innovations, but some key details may be missing. The historical overview is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Attempts an overview of the historical context of at least one of the two chosen innovations. Citations may be missing, inaccurate, or refer to sources outside the course material.Does not provide historical context for the innovations.

Innovations: Analysis of Innovations

Provides an analysis of how the two chosen innovations build upon past techniques or styles, supported by citations referring to specific course tutorials. (12%)Provides a sophisticated analysis of how the chosen innovation builds upon past techniques or styles, demonstrating a deep understanding. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Provides a clear analysis of the two chosen innovations. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Offers a basic analysis, but may miss some key elements of the innovations’ development. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Attempts an analysis of how at least one of the two chosen innovations builds upon past techniques or styles. Citations may be missing, inaccurate, or refer to sources outside the course material.Does not attempt an analysis of innovations.

Innovations: Comparative Analysis

Provides a comparative analysis highlighting both similarities and differences in the expressions of innovation. (13%)Provides a highly insightful comparative analysis with a deep understanding of the similarities and differences in their expression of innovation.Provides a comparative analysis that discusses both similarities and differences in the examples’ expressions of innovation. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present.Offers a basic comparative analysis of both similarities and differences in the examples’ expressions of innovation, but may miss some key elements.Attempts an analysis of either similarities or differences in the examples’ expressions of innovation.Does not attempt a comparative analysis.

Religious Expression: Selection of Examples

Selects two specific works of art or architecture that exemplify religious expression from diverse cultures and religions. (8%)Selects two exemplary works of art or architecture that represent a wide range of cultures and religions.Selects two works of art or architecture that exemplify religious expression from diverse cultures and religions. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present.Selects two works of art or architecture that demonstrate some elements of religious expression, but may lack diversity.Selects only one relevant work of art or architecture.Does not select relevant works of art or architecture.

Religious Expression: Religious Values and Ideals

Provides an analysis of how the selected works embody the ideals and values of their respective culture and religion, supported by citations referring to specific course tutorials. (12%)Provides a highly insightful analysis with a deep understanding of the religious values and ideals expressed by each work of art/architecture. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Provides a clear analysis of the religious values and ideals expressed by each work of art/architecture. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Offers a basic analysis of the religious values and ideals expressed by each work of art/architecture, but may miss some key elements. The analysis is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Attempts an analysis of the religious values and ideas expressed by at least one of the two works of art/architecture. Citations may be missing, inaccurate, or refer to sources outside the course material.Does not attempt an analysis of religious values or ideals.

Religious Expression: Cultural Context

Provides an explanation of the background of the religious or cultural beliefs associated with the selected works, supported by citations referring to specific course tutorials. (10%)Provides a thorough explanation of the cultural context of each example with insightful connections between culture, religion, and the artwork/architecture. The explanation is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Provides an explanation of the cultural context of the two examples; however, more details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present. The explanation is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Offers a basic overview of the cultural context of the two examples; however, some key details may be missing. The explanation is supported by citations that are accurate and refer to specific course material.Attempts an overview of the cultural context of at least one of the two examples. Citations may be missing, inaccurate, or refer to sources outside the course material.Does not provide cultural context for the examples.

Religious Expression: Comparative Analysis

Provides a comparative analysis highlighting both similarities and differences in the expressions of religious values. (13%)Provides a highly insightful comparative analysis with a deep understanding of the similarities and differences in the examples’ expressions of religious values.Provides a comparative analysis that discusses both similarities and differences in the examples’ expressions of religious values. More details could be provided, or minor inaccuracies may be present.Offers a basic comparative analysis of both similarities and differences in the examples’ expressions of religious values, but may miss some key elements.Attempts an analysis of either similarities or differences in the examples’ expressions of religious values.Does not attempt a comparative analysis.

Introduction and Conclusion

Introduction and conclusion set up the assignment and provide a summary of the analysis. (7%)Both the introduction and conclusion are exceptionally clear, effectively set up the assignment, and provide a comprehensive summary of the analysis.Both the introduction and conclusion are clear, set up the assignment, and provide a summary of the analysis. Minor improvements could be made to further strengthen the introduction and/or conclusion.Either the introduction or the conclusion is clear and effectively sets up the assignment and provides a comprehensive summary of the analysis.Either the introduction or the conclusion is unclear or missing.Does not attempt an introduction or conclusion.

Conventions

Submission follows conventions for standard written English and meets requirements. (7%)There are almost no errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization; all length and formatting requirements are met.There are minor errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that do not impede readability; length and formatting requirements are nearly met.There are frequent errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that somewhat impede readability; length and formatting requirements are nearly met.There are consistent errors in grammar, punctuation, spelling, and capitalization that significantly impede readability; length and formatting requirements are not met.Submission does not meet the minimum threshold for points to be awarded.

C. Requirements

The following requirements must be met for your submission to be graded:

• Composition must be 4-5 pages (approximately 1,000-1,200 words), double-spaced, with one-inch margins.
• Use a readable 11- or 12-point font.
• Composition must be original and written for this assignment, and all writing must be appropriate for an academic context.
• Plagiarism of any kind is strictly prohibited.
• Submission must include your name, the date, and the title of your composition.
• Include all assignment components in a single .doc or .docx file.