BREVARD COLLEGE

Brevard, NC 28712

AH 350 Survey of Modern Art.                                                                     Fall 2005

Dr. A. Chapin                                                                                    Class meets in Fine Arts Media Room

Office: 216 Sims Art Building                                                             MWF 10:30 – 11:20am

Email:                                                                Tel. 883-8292 ext. 2329

http://www2.brevard.edu/chapin/annewebpage/

Office Hours: TTh 9:00-11:00 and by appointment.

Prerequisites: Sophomore status or permission of instructor.

Description and Goals:

        What is art?  How can we define modernity?  And what is modern art?  This course attempts to answer these questions while exploring the art and architecture that characterizes the 19^th and 20^th centuries.   Beginning with a review of Romanticism, this course both surveys the art and artists of modernity, including Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art and contemporary trends in Postmodernism.  Individual art objects are discussed in detail within their social, religious, intellectual, and historical contexts, and the reception of their art is examined.  Concurrently, overarching themes, such as vision and reality, the nude, class consciousness, and nationalism, are explored through time.  The goals are to explore the meanings of modern art and to better our understanding of modernity as it is expressed through the visions and creations of modern artists. 

Implementation:

        Monuments of modern European and American art history and archaeology are presented in class as representative of the major historical, social and philosophical developments of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that still impact our lives today.  While regular class lecture is a major component of this course, classes are regularly dedicated to student discussions of different problems and themes in modern art, and all students present reports on modern art and artists.  Students are also required to read and discuss selections from 19^th and 20^th century authors, and to keep a journal of their reactions to the material presented both in and out of class.  The goal is to produce a broad but varied look at the development of modern art and architecture within its extended cultural and historical contexts.

        The goals of this course are achieved through a variety of means.  First, class attendance is important and is rewarded by points earned for every class attended.  Participation in class discussions is also a vital component of the course.  From consistent attendance and class participation, students will develop the skill of visual analysis—the process of analyzing what is seen in a work of art—that is the foundation of art history.  Additionally, regular written assignments allow students to explore modern art and offers the students the opportunity for greater reflection into the meaning of art while further practicing writing skills.

Course Requirements:

1.  Attendance (100 points)

        Class attendance is mandatory.  Attendance will be taken at every class starting in the second week of class.  Each class is worth 2.5 points, for a total of 100 points.

Students may be excused from class for Brevard College events (e.g., athletics, musical performances, etc.) or for illnesses, but each absence must be documented – either medical documentation, or notes from coaches, choral directors, etc..

2.  Textbooks

        History of Modern Art, by H. H. Arneson and Marla F. Prather.  Available in the student bookstore.

        Modern Art 1851 – 1929, by Richard R. Brettell.  Available in the student bookstore.

        Reading assignments are broadly outlined in the schedule of lectures (below) and more specific page assignments will be announced in class throughout the semester.

3.  Additional Readings

        Additional short readings are drawn from a variety of nineteenth and twentieth century authors to complement the artistic and architectural developments discussed in class.  These selections will be put on reserve in the Jones Library.

4. Exams and quizzes (est. 200 points)

        There are no exams.  There are, however, regular quizzes (50 points each) that test knowledge of major monuments of modern art. The images that may appear on quizzes can be found in class textbooks, and a review sheets will be provided before quizzes. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped.

5. Journal (300 points)

        Students keep a journal that discusses the art of individual artists, and records thoughts and reactions to (1) material discussed in class, (2) material encountered through reading and research assignments, and (3) reactions to modern art seen on campus, in galleries, and in museums.  Journal entries will regularly respond to questions directed at the class, and should respond by discussing specific art monuments.

        Journal Policies: As discussed in class:

•   Journal questions will be posted on the class web page and updated regularly as new journal questions are assigned.

• Each journal entry is worth 10 points.

• Journals will be collected by the professor for grading every 2 weeks. Any journal entries assigned during each two week interval but not completed will not earn any points.

• Late journal entries are those that are completed after their due date. These journal entries may earn half credit.

6.  Oral Reports (150 points)

        All students are required to present two oral reports.  The first (50 points) is a short (5-10 minute) report on an artist or a work of art.  The second is a longer, more detailed report (100 points) on a subject in modern art, presented using PowerPoint.  Possible topics will be discussed individually. 

7. Art Gallery Openings and Lectures (30 points)

Students are encouraged to attend gallery openings.  Students will earn 10 points for each gallery opening attended.

8.  Discussion and Class Participation (10%)

        This is not a passive class.  Modern art often arouses strong reactions in viewers, and one goal of this course is to explore the reception of modern art.  Expressing ideas and reactions through thoughtful speech contributes to the learning of all students in class.  It’s hard to calculate class participation in points, so the overall effect of class participation is that it can influence a final grade positively (in an upward direction) by as much as 10%.

GRADING SUMMARY

                Attendance                           100          pts

                Reports                                150

                Quizzes  (est)                        200

                Journal                                  300

                                Total                     750          pts

Grading Scale.

        The grades are determined on a curve before any potential extra credit points are added to the individual totals.

POLICIES:

Missed classes will be counted “0” except for documented absences due to Brevard College-sponsored events or illness.

Journals and journal entries are due on their due date.  All students will turn in their journals every two weeks for grading.

Students with learning disabilities or special needs (including emergency medical information) should speak with the professor as soon as possible about any special arrangements that are necessary.  The student with a learning disability should go to the Learning Enhancement Center to obtain an accommodation letter.

All students will follow the Honor Code and adhere to its guidelines.  Any student who has not signed the Honor Code pledge may get a form at the office of the Registrar.  All students should be particularly aware of the rules in the Honor Code regarding plagiarism and cheating.  Plagiarism is the submission of another person’s work or thought as one’s own, either by direct copying or by insufficient acknowledgment of the source.  Copying includes unacknowledged use of material from web sites and other electronic resources. Cheating is the use of any form of assistance while taking a quiz or examination.  No cell phones or other electronic devices are allowed in the class room during exams and quizzes. Brevard College takes the infringement of these rules very seriously and carries out the appropriate academic and disciplinary actions.

The professor will attempt to adhere as closely as possible to this syllabus but details are subject to change.