EDUG Outline

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http://www.educ.sfu.ef

radprogs/course^—listings/Educ456vasko.htmI

SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY?

EDUC

email: zvasko@telus.net

Wednesday 1:30-5:20 EDB 75600b

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; it uses a wide variety of materials

and skills, and can employ found 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 modern 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

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

ISBN 0 19210055 6 pbk

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- EDU€ Outline ?

http://www.educ.sfi.igradprogs/course_listings/Educ456vasko.htm1

Walker, Sydney, R. (2001) Teaching Meaning in Artma king. 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:

http://www.educ.sfu.calugradprogs/student

resources/index.html

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