ART 345-01, Contemporary Art, Spring 2006

Abstract

The objectives of the course are as follows: (1) to enhance student knowledge of the major works, artists, and movements of western art since 1968; (2) to integrate these works of art within the broader social and intellectual history of the period; and (3) to help students develop their skills in visual analysis, image identification, and historical interpretation. Among the issues we will examine are the following: the revival of political art in the late 1960s; the differences between modernism and postmodernism; the emergence of feminist strategies in representation; the rejection of the art object, and of the culture industry; the ongoing dialogue between modern art and mass culture; the return of history painting in the early 1980s; and the emergence of different voices in the art world in the past generation. Art 345 is the final course in a four-part sequence designed to trace the development of 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 film studies, history, languages, and philosophy. This is an intermediate level course with no prerequisites. It satisfies the fine arts requirement and may be counted toward the American Studies minor. Art 345 is a lecture course with discussion based on a variety of readings.