modern art syllabus

Click here for Midterm Exam

TEXTS: Edward Lucie-Smith, Visual Arts in the 20th Century; (required). All students must purchase either Brandon Taylor, Avant-Garde and After --OR-- Thomas Crow, The Rise of the Sixties (assignments and term paper will come out of this book). Graduate Students must also purchase Richard Appignanesi, Introducing Postmodernism (term paper will come out of this book in conjunction with either Brandon or Taylor). Undergraduates may also want to purchase Introducing Postmodernism, but it is only required for Graduate students.

SUPPLEMENTAL PACKET OF "STUFF": There is a packet containing a slide list, lecture outline and other important "stuff" available at the bookstore. The packet will help organize your class notes and prepare you for the tests. It also contains templates you may choose to use for your writing assignments.

NOTE ON PURCHASING TEXTBOOKS AND PACKETS: Please either buy the textbooks before the first exam or make arrangements to "share" books with others in the class. The bookstore will return books that are not purchased after about a month. I will not be able to lend you copies of the books or excuse poor test performances on the basis that you do not have the textbook.

OBJECTIVES: This course aims to provide an in-depth study of Modern Art as it evolved in Europe. (American Contemporary Art will be studied in conjunction, but to a lesser extent.) The course aims to define the nature of "modernism" and "post-modernism" and gauge this development historically, stylistically and culturally. The role of the modern artist and the role of censorship in the modern period will be given primary focus.

NOTE ON CULTURAL DIVERSITY. This is an equal opportunity classroom in the presentation of ideas and issues raised by artists. Artists create works that become either personal or societal documents of a certain moment in their lives. Topics including censorship, pornography, homosexuality, AIDS and feminism may make you feel uncomfortable because of their unfamiliarity. Many works of the modern period are designed to challenge belief systems. (This, by the way, is a characteristic that good art and a good college education have in common.) I recommend that you maintain an open mind and avoid rash judgments based on an artist's race, gender or sexual orientation.

NOTE ON STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY: Your success in this course will be directly proportional to your "ownership" of the material. I am here to guide you in your study of this material and in your development of abilities (like written and oral communication). Please take responsibility for your education, if for no other reason than the fact that you're paying for it. When you come to my office to discuss a grade on a test or assignment, bring the notes that you've been taking in class and on the reading assignments. This will help me diagnose potential problems more quickly and ultimately help me to help you to achieve in this course.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Midterm: 100 pts.
• Reading responses: 60 pts.
• Analysis/Term Paper: 100 pts.
• Final: 100 pts.

***Your attendance in class (or lack of attendance) may affect your final grade one half step in either direction.

*** POINT SCALE CUTOFFS:

• A 334 pts.
• B 298 pts.
• C 262 pts.
• D 226 pts.
• F < 205 pts.

READING/TEST/ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULE: This schedule will be followed as closely as possible. If changes need to be made, they will be announced in class.

• April 1 Roadmap to Modernism (Courbet-Manet-Impressionism-Post Impressionism) Read Lucie-Smith ch. 1
• April 3 Expressionism in France. Read Lucie-Smith chapter 2.
• April 8 Expressionism in Germany and Early Picasso.
• April 10 Cubism and related movements I. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 3 READING RESPONSE #1 DUE TODAY
• April 15 Cubism and related movements II.
• April 17 Cubism and related movements III.
• April 22 Cubism and related movements IV. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 4 READING RESPONSE #2 DUE TODAY
• April 24 Fantasy, Dada, Surrealism I.
• April 29 Fantasy, Dada, Surrealism II.
• May 1 Fantasy, Dada, Surrealism III. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 5
• May 6 MIDTERM EXAM
• May 8 Abstract Expressionism (Action). Read Lucie-Smith ch. 6.
• May 13 Pop Art. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 7.
• May 15 Abstract Expressionism (Color Field).
• May 20 Op and Minimalism. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 8. READING RESPONSE #3 DUE TODAY
• May 22 Postmodernism I. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 9.
• May 27 Postmodernism II. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 10. ANALYSIS/PROJECT DUE TODAY
• May 29 Postmodernism III. Read Lucie-Smith ch. 11.
• June 3 Postmodernism IV.
• June 5 FINAL EXAM -- 4-5:20 p.m.