Overview
Assignment Overview
Each student will write a 6-page or longer compare-and-contrast paper examining one
Western artwork and one non-Western artwork. One artwork must be viewed in person at a
local museum, while the other must be selected from a credible art history textbook or
other academic art-historical source. The two works should come from different cultures
and provide meaningful opportunities for comparison and contrast.
The paper should examine each artwork within its historical, political, economic, religious,
and cultural context, while also discussing the artist's influences and inspiration when
known. Students should analyze the artworks using the Elements and Principles of Design
and compare them by identifying at least three similarities and three differences,
supported with evidence from academic sources.
Requirements:
o 6 or more full pages (not including the Title Page, References Page, or images)
o APA 7th edition formatting throughout
o 6-7 academic sources. Images will have their own separate citations
o APA in-text citations
o A separate APA Title Page
o An introduction with a clear thesis statement
o Historical, political, economic, religious, and cultural background for both artworks
o Discussion of the artist's influences and inspiration (when known)
o Two works of art
o 1 Western and 1 non-Western
o 1 from a museum and viewed in person, and the other from an academic art
historical text or reference
o 2 images (1 for each, approximately 4 inches high) placed within the
historical background section, each with an APA figure caption that includes
the artist, title, date, medium, dimensions, and current location
o Analysis using the Elements and Principles of Design
o Be specific—where do you see them and how do they enhance the pieces
and the viewer’s experience
▪ Be very descriptive. Pretend like I don’t know what the pieces look like
o At least three similarities and three differences
o Be specific—pretend like I don’t know what the piece looks like
o The compare-and-contrast section should identify at least three meaningful
similarities and three meaningful differences.
▪ Comparisons may include historical context, cultural values, religious
beliefs, political function, artistic style, materials, symbolism,
purpose, or the Elements and Principles of Design.
▪ Support each comparison with evidence from academic sources.
o Refer to the pieces by titles or the artists’ names.
▪ Do NOT refer to them as the “first” and “second” pieces or the “top”
and “bottom” pieces
o A conclusion
o A first-person museum reflection placed after the conclusion
o A separate APA references page with 6-7 academic references and 2 images.
o Do NOT write Google Images or Pinterest for the image references
Tips:
o Use the LIRN Library whenever possible for scholarly research.
o Wikipedia and other non-academic sources are not acceptable references.
o You may use one academic, art historical video narrated or taught by an art historian
with a Ph.D. for each piece with proper citations and references. Do NOT write
(YouTube, 2026).
o You may use AI only for light editing and proofreading.
o Do NOT have it write your paper.
o Avoid em dashes and bolded words
o Academic writing throughout.
o You may only use “I” in the reflection
These are the 2 art works to compare and contrast
( Jan Massy's Susanna and the Elders, 1564 / Shaikh zada's Khusrau catches sight of Shirin bathing, C. 1524- 1525)