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Introduction to a diverse range of artists, art practices, and topics relevant to Modern, Postmodern, and Contemporary art. In particular, this course looks at issues relevant to Formalism and Abstraction, Cubism, Surrealism, Dada, Suprematism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop Art, Situationist International, Fluxus, Conceptual art, Feminist art, Earth Works appropriation and installation art. Course Introduction: This upper-division course deals with the artistic developments of the late nineteenth to the twentieth century - from Post-Impressionism to Post-Modernism - primarily in Europe and the United States, as well as in other relevant nation states. It is designed for students who wish to focus on major modern and contemporary artists and works in their cultural, historical, and theoretical contexts and to further develop analytical tools for considering these works as both aesthetic objects and as bearers of meaning for the individuals and groups that produced and viewed them. Pedagogical emphasis is placed on visual literacy, critical thinking, research techniques, and verbal and written forms of art criticism. Primary method of instruction is through PowerPoint lectures combined with group discussions, film screenings, and assigned gallery/museum visit(s). Because this course deals with some imagery considered "controversial" and/or "provocative," students are advised to approach the instructor and discuss any special concerns they may have at the beginning of the course. Course Objectives: At the conclusion of the academic session, the student is expected to demonstrate advanced knowledge and/or skills in the following: -Knowledge of European and/or American arts and their traditions within the context of the nineteenth and twentieth century - Visual literacy in identifying major works of art by artists, titles, time-periods, and styles - Insight into the scope of diverse media, techniques, and processes and an understanding of the relationship between form and function - Understanding of the various theoretical frameworks and historical conditions - i.e., socio- economic changes, political events, dominant ideologies, patterns of patronage - that influence the creation of works of art and/or aesthetic movements - Understanding of the language of art criticism and the ability to use that language with greater clarity, coherence, and persuasion in describing, analyzing, and interpreting works of art in written and verbal forms - Ability to evaluate scholarly materials on art, to do qualitative research and use information from primary sources, and to refine critical skills of analysis and discernment Course Requirements: To successfully complete this course, the student needs to satisfy the following requirements: Attendance, Class Participation and Reading Assignments Regular attendance is mandatory and is worth 10% of the final grade. Arriving late (after 3:15 p.m.) and/or leaving early (before 6:45 p.m.) are considered forms of tardiness, and excessive tardiness will have an adverse effect on your grade. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor immediately via e-mail and provide documentation in case of absences resulting only from grave illness or emergency, to obtain information and class notes from classmates, and to keep up with the assigned readings. Class participation is both active note-taking during lecture periods and recitation during group discussion periods. Taking good notes is an integral part of the learning process because it can greatly improve students' visual memory and grasp of the material. Recitation, on the other hand, serves as an opportunity to clarify issues and pose questions that have arisen in the necessarily formal lectures and as a place to develop the critical tools and vocabulary for talking about art. Reading assignments for each meeting are listed on the course schedule below and will be drawn primarily from one (1) course textbook: Main Text: H.H. Arnason and Marla F. Prather, History of Modern Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture, Photography (5th edition; ISBN 0-13-184069-X) The textbook is intended chiefly as a resource for detailed information on artists and individual works, for theoretical background, and as a study reference; they are meant to supplement, but not replace, the lectures, group discussions, and/or film screenings. Completion of all reading assignments is critical to understanding the history of modern art. Paper:A 10-page, double-spaced research paper will focus on a special topic identified by the instructor. A guide to writing papers will be provided to the students subsequently. The paper is graded based on form and content and is worth 30% of the final grade. *A Note on Deadlines: No late papers will be accepted and the student will automatically get a final assignment grade of "0." *A Note on Academic Misconduct: All incidences of scholastic dishonesty - including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and collusion - will result in an assignment grade of "0" and, per university protocols, will be reported to the Dean. Similarly, papers copied in whole or in part from the Internet will receive a grade of "0." *A Note on Copyright Infringement: Reproducing images of artwork found in books, journals, periodicals, or Internet is strictly prohibited and subject to U.S. copyright laws. Students should refrain from submitting reproductions without citing appropriate sources using the Chicago Manual Style. Exams: Two non-cumulative essay exams - each worth 30% of the final grade - will be given. *Make-up Policy: No make-up Exam will be given. Grading: Attendance, Class Participation & Reading Assignment 10% Exam #1 30% Paper 30% Exam #2 30%
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