EDUC Outline ?

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EDUC

DR. STUART RICHMOND

Phone: 291-3163

MONDAY 8:30-12:20 in EDB 7500B

PREREQUISITE:

60 hours of credit

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the nature, forms, processes, values and conceptions of the contemporary visual

arts and relates these ideas to modernist perspectives and the development and practice of art education

in schools.

MAJOR COURSE TOPICS

The course examines the main ideas, themes, approaches, media and guiding assumptions of

contemporary art. Contemporary art involves ways of working that are frequently

conceptual, improvisational, exploratory, and interdisciplinary. Such art is often personal, small scale,

process-oriented, relativist, reflective and collaborative. It tends to focus on meaning rather than form or

beauty; uses ordinary materials and skills, employs construction, found materials and objects,

assemblage, bricolage, performance and installation, photography, scrapbooks, drawing and painting;

deconstructs the grand narratives of modernism (truth, beauty, the fine arts, artist as creative genius,

judgments of taste), and explores social and aesthetic issues such as the nature of art, aesthetic quality,

uniqueness, consumerism, politics, ecology, gender, sexuality, the market, technology, culture,

language, the media, identity, etc. The course critiques and compares modern and postmodern

approaches to art with a view to providing a balanced understanding that is of value to education.

Contemporary approaches provide a needed challenge to tradition, privilege and interests and are

legitimate in themselves as art. But also, learning skills and an appreciation of form constitute a powerful

route to understanding. Furthermore to judge by the art people buy and pay to see, traditional art still

matters. Through readings, discussions, and art activities, students explore the range, meaning and

value of art today, and ways in which it can be developed in the school curriculum.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Term paper 3000 words---40%

2. Presentation in class of readings---20%

3. Art activities and projects---40%

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EDUC Outline ?

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REQUIRED TEXTS

Freeland, Cynthia (2002). But is it Art? New York: Oxford University Press.

ISBN 0 192853678 pbk

Gablik, Suzi (1999.) The Reenchantment of Art. New York: Thames and Hudson. pbk

ISBN 0500276897 pbk

Return to Education's Undergraduate 2004-2 Course Outlines Main Page.

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