Course Description
Report on the Construction of Situations
Revolution and Counterrevolution in Modern Culture
First of all we think the world must be changed.
We want the most liberating change of the society and
life in which we find ourselves confined.
We know that this change is possible
through appropriate actions.from: Situationist International
June, 1957
This introductory undergraduate survey lecture course will provide an overview of artworks from 1960 to the present. The course will stress the interpretation of artistic production within its historical, political, social, cultural and theoretical frameworks, and the changing role of the artist in society. The course will give you an introduction to contemporary art, art historic terminology, philosophy, architecture, music, film, and politics. We will look at slides, books, view video sequences, and listen to audio bits. Outside of class you will surf the internet to study net art, find relevant websites for your research.
The readings for the course will be drawn primarily from the following textbooks available at the bookstore:
Art in Theory 1900-1990, An Anthology of Changing Ideas ed. Charles Harrison & Paul Wood,Blackwell, Oxford UK & Cambridge, USA (1992)
Avant-garde and After, Rethinking Art Now, Brandon Taylor, Perspectives Harry N. Abrams publishers, (1995)
Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art A Source Book of Artist's
Writings, ed. By Kristine Stilles and Peter Selz, University of
California Press, Berkley, Los Angeles, London
The Rise of the Sixties: American and European Art in the Era of Dissent Thomas Crow, (Abrams, 1996)
Students can purchase the course reading packet, available at "Arizona
Print Copy Inc". 1033 N Park Ave). Call ahead to pick up (Tel.:
882-3995). All readings will be available in the packet, or through electronic reserve.
Requirements
Students are expected to keep up with the required reading assignments, including readings from the materials on reserve at the main library. Class attendance is important and roll will be taken at each class meeting through a sign in sheet in room 20, Drama building. More than three unexcused absences (not due to illness or an event of a catastrophic nature) will affect your grade.
The grade for the course will be based the following requirements. Grades may be raised or lowered for improved or plummeting performance, excessive absences, and late assignments. Your final grade for this course will be calculated by averaging the grades from four areas
Bi-weekly quizzes25% (Thursday,weeks 2,4,6,8,10)
Mid-term paper25% due Tuesday ...
Final exam25%
Class discussion
participation and attendance25 %
Bi-Weekly Quizzes
Every two weeks there will be a quiz on names, artworks, events, terms, and concepts taken from the lectures and readings from the previous two-week period. You will be asked to find one-word summaries of each reading. On this one word you will asked to elaborate in one to two sentences. The best four out of five quizzes will be combined to make up one quarter of your final grade. There will be no make-up opportunities so you will not want to miss more than one. Quizzes will be given at the beginning of class on Thursdays in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. A list of terms and works will be provided to you.
Mid-term paper
The mid-term paper (due Tuesday October 3 at 2pm at the beginning of class) will be counted as one quarter of your final grade. The goal of this assignment is to develop your skills in thinking and writing critically about art in its historical context. Select one artwork and write a 1500 word essay. Your selection of an artist will have to approved by the instructor. Describe the relationship of this artwork to the time period in which it was created. Some questions that will be useful to consider in forming your essay include: How was the response of the audience at the time? How do people respond to this artwork today? What made the piece that you choose significant? Provide a detailed description of the particular formal qualities of the work. Find relationships of this piece to other visual texts, pop culture, and politics. Aim for a focused argument that responds to all the mentioned questions. You can write about a piece that you created if you are an artist. Do not elaborate too much on your artistic intentions but focus on integrating your artwork into an art historical context.
Final Exam
In the final exam you will be asked to describe artwork in its social context. You may be asked to summarize any of the required readings. Furthermore you will need to be able define the terms that were introduced in class.
Grading
Numerical points, according to the following point scale, will be assigned to all tests and written work. These points will be weighted according to the percentage value of each assignment. Your final grade, as determined by the point system, is subject to modification on the basis of performance, attendance, or late work.
Point Scale
100-90 A
89-80 B
79-70 C
69-60 D
59-0 E
Art Department Grading System
A = Excellent. One who answers all of the course requirements and performs at a level which is clearly outstanding.
B = Good. One who answers all of the course requirements and performs at a level measurably above average.
C = Fair. One who answers all of the course requirements and performs adequately in so doing.
D = Poor. One who answers all of the course requirements but performs on a level measurably below the average.
E = Failure. One who either does not complete all of the course requirements or does so inadequately or both. E is a failing grade.
Students are cautioned that cheating at the University or Arizona is an offense punished by expulsion.
If there is even the appearance of cheating, action will be taken following the procedures set forth in University's Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism, that is, copying of the language, ideas, and thoughts of other persons and passing off the same as one's original work, whether in examinations or in papers, is cheating. Please consult me if you have any questions concerning what does, or does not constitute plagiarism as you work on your paper and prepare for your examinations.
Incompletes will be given only with a documented medical excuse, or verifiable personal emergency.
