ART 342-01, Modern Art II, Fall 2011

Abstract

Modern Art II is a survey of major art movements of the western world, from the late-nineteenth century to the midtwentieth century, beginning with Post-Impressionism and ending with Abstract Expressionism. Amongst other issues, this course will explore the meaning of modernism, the social and aesthetic goals of the avant-garde, and the emergence of abstraction. Movements discussed include symbolism, fauvism, cubism, futurism, dada, surrealism, and abstract expressionism. Art 342 is the second course in a three-part sequence designed to trace the development of modernism in the visual arts in the West since the eighteenth century. Though the emphasis of the course is on the visual arts, the ideas examined are applicable to courses covering the same chronological period in history, languages, and philosophy. The reading assignments and class discussions will challenge you to consider art’s relationship to broader culture in this period, while the course research paper aims to hone your critical, interpretative, and writing skills. The course exams are designed to ensure that you have mastered all of these objectives through the identification of key works of art and the explication of their significance in relation to the broader themes of the class. This course is excellent preparation for upper division courses in late-modern and contemporary art history and theory. It is an intermediate level course with no prerequisites. Art 342 is a combination lecture and discussion course. N.b., Although we will attempt to adhere as closely as possible to this syllabus, details are subject to change.