ARHA253 - European Modernism and Mass Media, 1890-1940

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Academic Year 2004/2005

European Modernism and Mass Media, 1890-1940
ARHA 253 SP

The world of the automobile, the advertisement, the newspaper and the grand spectacle shaped all European culture in the early twentieth century. The era witnessed an explosion of industry available for the masses, a seeming break from the history of western culture. How might we look back and situate the avant-garde artists of this time - were they pioneers of this rift, reflections of the radicalized era, or perhaps something else entirely? This course will survey the art of France, Russia, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, covering the monuments of painting and sculpture, but also paying close attention to the ways in which commodity culture pushed these artists into new arenas, including cinema, graphic design, photography, theatre, and costume design. We will examine the politics behind the avant-gardes' inclusion, exclusion and manipulation of the world of mass media.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings for this course will include a mixture of artists' statements and manifestos, art historical texts and theoretical works including such authors as Walter Benjamin and Sigmund Freud.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

1 short paper (3-4 pp) on a work in the DAC collection, 1 longer paper (8-10 pp), mid-term, final.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

3 evening film screenings.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ART Grading Mode: Graded

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Barron-Duncan,Rachael

Times: ...W.F. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: DAC100;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 30)

SR. major: 10 Jr. major: 10

SR. non-major: 4 Jr. non-major: 4 SO: 2 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Reading Non-Verbal Texts

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-21-2005