This course will be an appraisal of traditional and contemporary psychophysical and neurobiological models of visual sensation and perception with a focus on various forms of visual art. It will include a study of the human visual system emphasizing its role in the brain and behavior, and it will emphasize the relationship between physical characteristics of environmental stimuli (e.g., wavelength of light) and their associated mechanisms (e.g., visual perception of color). This knowledge will provide a deep understanding into the perceptual and physiological experience of visual art.
PSYC 1101 or PSYC 1101H with a grade of C or higher
Review major theoretical perspectives relating to sensation and perception.
Understand the physiological and psychological components of visual sensation and perception.
Understand the visual process and how objects and scenes are perceived.
Understand perception of motion, color, depth, and size.
Understand the practical relevance of visual sensation and perception.
Understand how visual art is perceived.
Understand how visual art differs from normal perceptual processes and experiences.
Understand why visual art is created and how human perception impacts its creation.
Consider what our appreciation of visual art says about humans’ reliance on the visual system.
The Psychology of Visual Art: Eye, Brain and Art by George Mather
ISBN: 978-0-521-18479-3
Exams (50% of overall grade)
There will be four in-class exams covering content from class and readings. These exams will be a combination of multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank. Use the exam review on D2L to help you study. You will need to bring a green scantron and a pencil for each exam. You are allowed to use a single 3” x 5” note card with notes per exam. No other resources are allowed during the exam. If you use a note card, you must turn in that note card. Failure to turn in the note card used during the exam will result in a zero on the exam. (If you do not use a note card, you do not have to turn one in.) You must make your own note card; copying a peer’s note card is not allowed. Exams cannot be made up without approved documentation from Dean of Students. No exceptions.
✅ AI is allowed and encouraged to generate study aids, practice questions, and general exam preparation.
Research Reflections (20% of overall grade)
In order to deepen your exposure in the vast number of topics covered in this course, you will complete four research reflection papers. Each paper will consist of individual research and personal reflection on a single topic. Research reflections should be submitted on D2L in APA format. Each paper should be a minimum of 750 words of content (i.e., roughly three double spaced pages), not including the required APA formatted title and reference pages. You will need to cite research to support your paper from at least two peer-reviewed sources per paper. You may use the assigned readings.
🚫 AI use is strictly prohibited.
Visual Art Portfolio (30% of overall grade)
You will attend multiple live visual art events throughout the semester. There will be three events that will be paid for by UNG. If you cannot attend these events or wish to attend different, equally appropriate and relevant events, then you can choose other events; you just need instructor approval. You will visually document and write about each event using the full instructions provided on D2L. We will also conduct a sheep eye dissection early in the semester that will also be visually documented and you will write about that as well. The final portfolio will be turned at the end of the semester and will serve as the final exam. A portfolio gala will take place during our final exam period where you will share your portfolio with your peers, and you will have a chance to review your peers' portfolios. Refreshments will be provided.
🚫 AI use is strictly prohibited.
> 90.0% = A
80.0 - 89.9% = B
70.0 - 79.9% = C
60.0 - 69.9% = D
< 60.0 = F
MODULE 1: ART, EYE, & BRAIN
Week 1: Syllabus & Chapter 1
Week 2: Assigned Reading 1
Week 3: Chapter 2 // Reflection 1 due
Week 4: Assigned Reading 2 // Exam 1
MODULE 2: SCENES & PICTURES
Week 5: Chapter 3
Week 6: Assigned Reading 3
Week 7: Chapter 4 // Reflection 2 due
Week 8: Chapter 5 // Exam 2
MODULE 3: DEPTH & MOTION
Week 9: Assigned Reading 4 // Project topic due
Week 10: Reflection 3 due
Week 11: Chapter 6 // Exam 3
MODULE 4: COLOR & AESTHETICS
Week 12: Assigned Reading 5
Week 13: Chapter 7
Week 14: Chapter 8 // Reflection 4 due
Week 15: Chapters 9 & 10 // Exam 4
FINALS
Project paper due