Courses

Art Since Abstract Expressionism

Course No. ACD368X.1  Credits: 3

Abstract Expressionism. the first grand American art movement, is by now well understood. But what happens after that? That question is difficult to answer. We will look at earth art, minimalism and pop art in the 1960s, focusing on the role of Andy Warhol. We will pay special attention to the art and writings of Robert Smithson, and to such figures as Gordon Matta-Clark and Bas van Ader. Then we will consider how abstraction became an ongoing tradition, studying the painting of Robert Ryman, Robert Mangold, Brice Marden, and the most important abstract painter of this period, Sean Scully. In the 1980s, figurative art was revived. We will look at such figures as David Salle and Julian Schnabel. In this period, feminism became very important both for the theory and the practice of art. We will focus especial attention on the photography of Cindy Sherman. The past twenty years remain very hard, still to understand. What new movements and individual artists have emerged? And how has the role of art writing changed? We will offer tentative answers to these questions. Three essays are required. There is no final exam. Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

Art Writing

Course No. ACD303  Credits: 3

How do we describe visual works of art in words? The aim of this course is to introduce some models of art writing, discuss the theory of this important activity, and then get the students to practice that activity by writing about the art of some CIA senior painters. We begin with an historical study of the How do we describe visual works of art in words? The aim of this course is to introduce some models of art writing, discuss the theory of this important activity, and then get the students to practice that activity by writing about the art of some CIA senior painters. We begin with an historical study of the practice of art writing. Then we focus on the theories of art writing developed by some influential contemporary art critics. Finally, we arrange for these CIA painters to visit the class, talk about their art, and then make appointments to talk with students in the class. Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

Artist as Author

Course No. ACD482X.1

This course will investigate the differing practices and modes of thought that intersect the practice of the Artist. To do this the course will track the analogous discourse concerning authorship that begins with the advent of Modernism and contributes significantly to the development ofÊ Post-Modernist - Thought.Ê By constructing a genealogy of those theorist who have most significantlyÊ addressed the questionÊ What is an Author,Ê this question will not only permit students to build a model of authorship for themselves, but also come to an understanding that discourses are tran-historical and emerge from one generation addressing the concerns of another.ÊÊ This will permit them an insight into the historical development of theory, practice and thou htÊ how theseÊ produce differing though not necessarily opposing stances that both form and objectify our self-conception ( subjectivity). Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

Arts Journalism

Course No. LLC205W.1  Credits: 3

In this elective course, students will study various forms and stages of writing about art for publication. In addition to reading and discussing effective examples of published writings on art, students will produce a total of 20 pages of writing throughout the semester in the form of reviews, interviews, profiles, and feature stories. Students will alternately function as writers and editors as they produce written work that is expressly conceived and shaped for publication. Through reading and writing assignments, discussions, and in-class exercises, students will gain a well-rounded knowledge of arts journalism from multiple vantage points: as readers, writers, and editors. Students will gain experience in producing finished articles that can be published online through various websites and blogs, eventually including CIAÕs own online journal. As a Sophomore writing elective, this course will fulfill LLC 104 requirement and also serve as a valuable component of CIAÕs new writing concentration. Fulfills Humanities/Cultural Studies distribution requirement. Creative Writing Concentration course. 3 credits.

Asian Art Survey

Course No. ACD372.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Diana Y. Chou

This course serves as a "survey" or a window for the art of multiple cultures. This lecture/exercise/discussion-style course explores the art and visual culture of Asia, focusing on India, Japan and China. Political, religious, social, and visual aspects of the art will be stressed in class. In order to understand the art and civilization of these three countries, we will look at art objects ranging from ancient archeological finds, medieval architecture to modern and contemporary art. Subjects such as women artists, performing arts and animation will also be discussed in this course. The content of this course will be generally divided into pre-Modern, Modern & Contemporary eras in which art and visual culture will be discussed with geographic perspectives. As the semester progresses, some additional readings and films may be assigned. Each student is encouraged to find examples learned in this course and apply them to his/her intellectual development. Visual Culture Emphasis course.

Autobiographical Narrative in African Literature

Course No. LLC207W.1  Credits: 3

This course consists of six first-person accounts, which highlight the socio-historical and psychological significance of the autobiographical narrative in the black experience. The autobiographical mode is one of the predominant forms of literary expression in black literature, dating back to the "slave narrative" of the eighteenth century, just as it is in the hands of African artists a prominent literary form that is characterized by its predominantly collective and communal narrative voice. The course will focus on the interface between individual life-story and collective (social) history. It will also consider in the postmodernist sense the thin line between fiction and history (art and life), while exploring individual consciousness as an art of rhetorical self-definition and subjectivity. The last two books include two generational responses to womanist issues; and both of them problematize the autobiographical art-form. There are six videos primarily to provide socio-historical background to the course. The videos, as visual texts, are also meant to create a critical interface with the 6 literary socio-constructs, with a view to stimulating your deep insights into the course. Fulfills Humanities/Cultural Studies distribution requirement. Creative Writing Concentration course. 3 credits.

Avant Garde Film

Course No. HCS325.1  Credits: 3

Film, the quintessential art form of the 20th century, added time and relativity to the artist's palette. This course examines the abstract and non-narrative tradition: films that focus on manipulation of form, motion, and the collage-like collision of images in time (montage). Topics include early Soviet formalists, Dadaist and Surrealist films of the 1920's and 1930's, and American underground films of the 1960's and 1970's. Students keep a journal of their impressions of each film shown. COURSE FEE REQUIRED. May be applied as Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

Avant-Garde Film: Montaged "Talkies"

Course No. HCS425.1  Credits: 3

Traditional film classes assume all films strive for narrative continuity and therefore organize their analyses around film techniques (editing, sound, cinematography), this class will view and discuss films of this a-chronological genre according to the underlying philosophical stance--or art movement--appropriate to each director. Theoretical approaches from visual art (surrealism, cubism, post-modernism), mathematics (fractal theory, chaos theory), psychology, history and from literary schools ("The New Novel" from Raymond Roussell to Robbe-Grillet) will provide intellectual and analytic base for these enigmatic works of narrative art. Course fee required. May be applied as Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.