EDUC Outline

EDUC

email: zvasko@telus.net

TUESDAY 4:30-8:20 EDB 7600F

PREREQUISITE:

60 hours of credit

COURSE DESCRIPTION

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

relates these ideas to more traditional perspectives and to the development and practice of art education

in schools. We will look at 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, process-oriented, relativist, reflective and

collaborative. It tends to focus on meaning rather than form or beauty; uses a wide variety of materials

and skills, and can employ found materials and objects, assemblage, mixed media, performance,

photography, as well as traditional media such as drawing and painting. Such art often 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 examines modem and postmodern approaches to art with a view to providing a

balanced understanding that is of value to education. 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. Various perspectives and backgrounds are welcome to be brought forth, as we

explore how engaging in the arts, both as responders to works and as active makers, can open up and

enrich the realms of learning and teaching. Participation in class activities is essential. Some basic art

materials required.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

-To become familiar with the work of contemporary visual artists.

-To learn about and respond to theoretical issues in art today, as well as to meaning-oriented approaches

to the teaching of art.

-To engage in the practice of art-making in a reflective way.

ASSIGNMENTS

1. Art activities and projects, 40%

2. Reading Logs and in-class discussion, 30%

3. Term paper, 30%

REQUIRED TEXTS

1 of 2 ?

6/19/08 11:08 AM

---

EDUC Outline ?

httP://www.educ.sfu.radros/course_listins/Educ456vasko.html

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

ISBN 0 19210055 6 pbk

Walker, Sydney, R. (2001) Teaching Meaning in Artmaking. Worcester: Davis Publications. ISBN

87192

583 4

pbk

Students in all Faculty of Education courses are encouraged to review policies pertaining to academic

integrity available on the Undergraduate Programs website:

littp://www.educ.sfti.ca/ugradprogs/student resources/index.html

2of2 ?

6/19/08 11:08 AM