This two-part study included a content analysis of an AP art history text and a survey together with interviews with AP art history teachers that embraced both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The first phase of the study examined one of the more popular art history survey texts in the AP art history program, Gardner’s Art through the Ages, in terms of how inclusive it is in addressing issues of sexual orientation and, particularly, same-sex perspectives. In addition, the text was examined for evidence of sexual orientation ignored – particularly same-sex perspectives ignored and for heteronormative hegemonies. The second phase investigated the understandings and opinions of AP art history teachers toward the inclusion of sexual orientation and same-sex perspectives in their curriculums and classrooms. Recent recognition of gay, lesbian, and same-sex perspectives in the study of art history has challenged art educators and art historians to begin to consider opening up their curriculums and writings to include these perspectives. These ignored perspectives produce important understandings that enrich and deepen the discourse of art history. The inclusion of gay and lesbian content and same-sex perspectives to the study of AP art history, not only effectively serves the needs of AP art history teachers, but it provides a more equitable and comprehensive visual arts education to students. The implications of this study are broad and complex. If students are to be well and comprehensively educated in the history of the visual arts, including discussions about the sexual orientation of gay and lesbian artists as well as artworks depicting same-sex perspectives is important. Similarly, their teachers must be well-informed and believe that including such material in the curriculum is important. There is definitely a need for designing more balanced and equitable AP art history programs that include gay and lesbian artists as well as same-sex perspectives. From a multicultural art education perspective, this study reveals that gays and lesbians are marginalized in a major AP art history survey text. It illuminates how an AP art history survey text and AP art history teachers’ attitudes and knowledge base on same-sex perspectives inform their curriculums, specifically concerning what’s important to teach in an AP art history classroom. If approved AP art history survey texts as well as the influential annual AP College Board art history exam included issues of sexual orientation, particularly same-sex perspectives, it would encourage more AP art history teachers to include gay and lesbian artists and same-sex perspectives in their curriculums.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc700015 |
| Date | 12 1900 |
| Creators | Bond, Richard P. |
| Contributors | Davis, D. Jack, Baxter, Denise Amy, Kalin, Nadine, Broome, Jeffrey, Kundu, Rina |
| Publisher | University of North Texas |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | ix, 538 pages, Text |
| Rights | Public, Bond, Richard P., Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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