ARTHIST 231 : Framing the Viewer: 20th Century Art

Arts

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

The rise of Modernism saw the development of art which is reflexive, which draws attention to itself and the illusion of representation, making us reflect about what art is and how it affects the viewer. This course is designed to enable students to develop their own reflexivity and critical awareness through a study of the 'classic' movements of the twentieth century, such as Cubism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Op, Pop and Conceptual Art.

Course Overview

The course aims to show that an important function of art is to enhance the ability to see the world from a number of different perspectives increasing the breadth and depth of a viewer’s self-awareness. An essential, underlying theme is how the viewer’s vision is addressed and explored in the art of the twentieth century, and how the gaze is related to the construction of the viewer’s own identity. Not only do the art works of these different periods challenge the viewer imaginatively to adopt a multiplicity of identities and roles, they also reflect back different conceptual, emotional, psychological, political and social ways of seeing.

Trying to frame or target the viewer’s responses needs and realities in art has a long history. In this course we will focus on FOUR major approaches:

- Social Context

- Facture

- Sensory perception and emotional response

- Conceptual and Philosophical response
 
The course will pay attention to the fact that within each of these broad categories of address and response, there are different cultural, personal and individual inflections, and that it is possible to focus on certain themes which cut across these different types of response, such as the representation of women, or non-Western cultures and ethnic minorities, which involves looking through a whole range of addresses and responses outside of the dominant white, privileged, Western male’s perspective that so much of Western art leaves unchallenged.







Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points at Stage I in Art History and 30 points passed Restriction: ARTHIST 331

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Develop the skills to discuss art meaningfully and to personalise encounters with works of art, channelling these experiences into new and creative ways of thinking and exploring vision and the visual world (Capability 1.1 and 4.1)
  2. Be able to structure arguments and compose thoughts in spoken and written form that add strength and clarity to communication and presentation. (Capability 1.3 and 2.3)
  3. Critically evaluate how art is an essential medium for the exploration and expression of diversity: of ideas, lifestyles, attitudes, social and cultural identities and political perspectives. (Capability 2.3, 3.1 and 6.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 25% Individual Test
Essay 25% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination

Next offered

SEMESTER ONE 2021

Module

Cubism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Abstract Expressionism, Art Brut, Conceptualism

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, a one-hour tutorial.

Delivery Mode

Learning Resources

Reading The main texts recommended for this course are:
Christopher Green, Art in France 1900-1940  (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000)
David Hopkins, After Modern Art 1945-2000 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002)
Gregory Minissale, Rhythm in Art (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021)
Paul Schimmel, Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void, 1949–1962 (NY: Rizzoli, 2012)
Kirk Varnedoe, Pictures of Nothing: Abstract Art Since Pollock (Princeton, 2006)
    

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

"The clear structure for organising the course and approaching the different genres in the 20th century of facture, the social and historical, the sensory and emotional, and the philosophical and conceptual."

"The structure of the course was well thought–out and clear. The tutorials backed up and extended the learning from the lectures without introducing new material. Greg knows his topic well and communicates it an engaging and understandable way."

"The lectures were engaging, interesting and always so well presented. The tutorials were really informative and helpful and Greg was really supportive of our questions and explained everything in such detail, Absolutely the most inspiring lecturer and tutor – Thankyou."

"Very clear and structured approach to assessments, which was made clear in every class and tutorial.
Greg is such an amazing lecturer. His knowledge and passion comes through in everything he says and it makes me so inspired to learn."

Other Information

We go to the visit the Auckland Art Gallery to have tutorials there about how to view modern art

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/12/2020 04:44 p.m.