Firstly I want to explain that I am an Art History teacher in baccalaureate, and it is a very complicated subject because it is considered for more politicians as a second order subject. And this situation doesn’t make much more strict the curriculum with respect to this subject.
But in the case that concerns us the curriculum isn’t exist, for this reason I would totally turn into the approach of History of Art in 2nd of baccalaureate. First of all the most important would be the knowledge acquired by the students, no go further in the art time line. Personally, I would foster the teaching of “Baroque Imaginary”, because in my opinion and the opinion of the other experts in Spanish art, there is no doubt that it is in the category that highlights our artist with respect to the art neighbouring countries. But nowadays, this point is taught very quickly without the detail that it deserves. Among other things, due to historical reasons, Spain is a country rich in religious art, and anybody can enter to the church or cathedral, and contemplate the different sculptures made in polychrome wood or processional steps that have been created and restored over the centuries.
On the other hand, it is obvious to start with ancient cultures, like for example the Greek culture, but in my humble opinion there are other cultures very important as a Greek culture that have laid the foundations of world art as for example Egyptian culture or Mesopotamian culture. All of these artistic manifestations would have a place in my planning. Furthermore, I am also one hundred percent sure that this type of cultures have a special attraction for teenagers, since they are tremendously recurrent cultures in newscasts, social gatherings…
All in all, say that Art History, in all its stages, is a subject which can be taken a lot and can be tremendously attractive for both, students and teachers, reaching a learning meaningful, if the curriculum of this matter wasn’t so strict with the subject with a final state exam.
