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COLLEGE OF VISUAL ARTS AND DESIGN

Topic: Art and Technology since 1900

Course: AEAH 4801 - 003 Topics in Art History

Meets: Spring 2011, Thursday 5:00-7:50pm ART 223

Professor: Dr. Way

OFFICE NUMBER 212. Hours:Friday by appointment, 9:00am-12:00noon

OFFICE TELEPHONE 940-565-914. OFFICE E-MAIL

COURSE DESCRIPTION [UNT Undergraduate catalog]: AEAH 4801. Topics in Art History. 3 hours. Selected topics in the history of art. Prerequisite(s): ART 1200, ART 2350 and ART 2360, or consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.

COURSE CONTENT: The subject of this course is the meaning and significance of “technology” in and in relation to vanguard art since 1900. Here are the major course themes and a general description of assignments:

  1. The constructed, discursive meaning and significance of technology

Assignment: apply readings about the constructed, discursive meaning and significance of technology, to a website, database, or exhibition

  1. Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art
  2. 1900-1945, 1945 – 1970, 1970-1990, 1990 to 2011
  3. in regard to development, creation, manufacture, components, forms, processes, presentation, distribution, uses, representation, interpretation, narration, analysis, and impact or legacy

Assignment: identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art

  1. Examples of art engaging with technology
  2. including but not limited to art as still and moving objects and images, processes, environments, reproductions, series, simulations, iterations and representations

Assignment: present a work of art to the class by describing how it participates in constructing the meaning and significance of “technology” and analyzing how it relates to cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art.

Assignment: respond to the class presentation by analyzing how the presented work of art relates to an example of historical writing, theory or concept. Upload a discussion along with one question you pose to the class. Moderate discuss that follows.

Assignment: demonstrate your increased awareness of an example of critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, by responding to one question posed by student online presenters, by applying the reading in question to the work of art (or vice versa)

  1. Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art
  2. Examples that define and/or analyze technology in relation to society, culture, art
  3. in regard to development, creation, manufacture, components, forms, processes, presentation, distribution, uses, representation, interpretation, narration, analysis, and impact or legacy

Assignment: practice autoethnography as a research method using yourself as a resource to understand the relationship between an example of writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, and your own art-related practice

Two, unscheduled pop quizzes will be given in class during the semester. They will be based on any readings assigned up to and including the day they are administered, and on class discussion from previous classes.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S) (if any): (1) Built World: How to think about technology and culture, Hughes T14.5 .H84 2004; (2) Digital Currents, Lovejoy, NX180.M3 L68 2004; (3) Signs of Life, Kac, N72.B56 S54 2007. Purchase a copy of each through the UNT Bookstore or use the single copy of each title that has been placed on reserve at the Reserve Desk in Willis Library. Additional readings are available electronically.

COURSE OBJECTIVES LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of the course you will be able to

  • have an increased awareness of the constructed, discursive meaning of “technology”
  • examine a website, database or exhibition in regard to its constitution of “technology”
  • have an increased awareness of historical culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art since 1900, and of historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art
  • identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art
  • present a work of art to your peers
  • describe how a work of art participates in constructing the meaning and significance of “technology”
  • analyze how a work of art relates to cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art
  • create a short video in which a small group discussion analyzes how a work of art relates to an example of historical writing, theory or concept
  • pose a question regarding how a work of art relates to an example of historical writing, theory or concept
  • moderate short, peer-written responses in a theme-based discussion predicated on assigned reading
  • practice autoethnography as a research method using yourself as a resource to understand the relationship between an example of writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, and your own art-related practice or studies
  • identify and respond directly to a professional, published call for papers, manuscripts, exhibitions, residency or fellowship related directly to the course – or – participate in an ongoing research project to create and archive short oral history interviews with women regarding the uses they make of technology in and in relation to the art world

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Class meeting / Content / Assignment due at the beginning of class
January 20 / Meaning and significance of technology
January 27 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1900-1945, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / DUE FOR ALL – hard copies of (1) syllabus student acknowledgement and (2) Release form [see end of syllabus]
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
February 3 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1900-1945, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed.
DEADLINE – For April 21 assignment – today is the deadline if you wish to select Choice 1. If you do not select Choice 1 today you are automatically required to complete Choice 2 for the assignment due April 21.
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
February 10 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1945-1970, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
DUE FOR ALL -Apply readings about the constructed, discursive meaning and significance of technology, to a website, database, or exhibition selected from a list provided.
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
February 17 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1945-1970, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
February 24 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1945-1970, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
DUE FOR ALL - Identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art.
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
March 3 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1970-1990, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
March 10 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1970-1990, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
March 17- no class – spring break
March 24 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1970-1990, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
DUE FOR ALL – Practice autoethnography as a research method using yourself as a resource to understand the relationship between an example of writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, and your own art-related practice
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
March 31 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1970-1990, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
April 7 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1990-2011, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
April 14 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1990-2011, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
DUE FOR ALL - Identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art.
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
April 21 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1990-2011, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
DUE FOR ALL – Select one from the two choices.
Choice 1- Deadline to select
Choice 2 –
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
April 28 / Historical cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art, 1990-2011, and Historical critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art / Examples of art engaging with technology Small group presents a work of art to the class. Another small group responds to the presentation with a discussion. Individually, students respond to the question posed
COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings
May 5 / Final class / COMPLETE THIS HOMEWORK BY THE BEGINNING OF CLASS TODAY
Assigned readings

STUDENT EVALUATION (OR GRADING): The course grade is based on 100 possible points.

Date due / Assignment / Points
Ongoing throughout semester – every student completes this assignment one time[eleven presentation dates]2/3, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28 / Present a work of art to the class by accurately and thoughtfully describing how it participates in constructing the meaning and significance of “technology” and accurately and thoughtfully analyzing how it relates to cultural, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art. Work of art of your choice, in consultation with the professor. Work in assigned small group. Presentation should last roughly 15 minutes. Ensure that any technology you plan to use in the presentation is ready for the time you are presenting. / 10
Ongoing throughout semester- every student completes this assignment one time- DUE ONE WEEK AFTER IN –CLASS PRESENTATION / Respond to presentation [see the assignment above] by analyzing how the presented work of art relates to an example of historical writing, theory or concept. Produce your analysis as a 2-4 minutes video in which you discuss the assignment topic and conclude by posing one question about the work of art and/or reading in question to the class. Post the video and question correctly online. Then, moderate written discuss that follows electronically [see the assignment below] / 10
Ongoing throughout semester- every student completes this assignment one time- DUE THREE DAYS AFTER VIDEO IS POSTED / Demonstrate your increased awareness of an example of critical writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, by responding to one question posed by student online presenters [see the assignment above] with a well-organized, thoughtful, and well-written, 300-word short essay response. Develop your response by directly applying reading in question to the work of art (or vice versa). You do this assignment individually. You must cite all appropriate references to the reading in your essay. Write the cited reference in the text like this (author’s last name, page number). Write the cited reference in the text like this (author’s last name, page number). Post your statement online. / 5
Extra credit – ongoing throughout the semester / You may repeat the assignment above for extra credit twice. Note that extra credit is not automatic. Your300-word response must be well-organized, thoughtful and well written. It must respond directly to the one question student presenters posed online. It must be uploaded correctly. / Extra credit
10 additional points possible
February 10 / Apply readings about the constructed, discursive meaning and significance of technology, to a website, database, or exhibition selected from a list provided. Written paper 2-4 pages typed double space. You must cite all appropriate references to the reading in your essay. Write the cited reference in the text like this (author’s last name, page number). / 15
February 24 / Identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art. Assigned essay topic. You must cite all appropriate references to the reading in your essay. Write the cited reference in the text like this (author’s last name, page number). Written paper, 2-4 pages typed double space. / 10
March 24 / Practice autoethnography as a research method using yourself as a resource to understand the relationship between an example of writing, theory and concepts providing a context for technology and art, and your own art-related practice / 15
April 14 / Identify features of a work of art and technology that relate it to culture, especially vanguard art developments providing a context for technology and art. Assigned essay topic. You must cite all appropriate references to the reading in your essay. Write the cited reference in the text like this (author’s last name, page number). Written paper, 2-4 pages typed double space. / 10
Select one from the two choices
NOTE: Deadline to select Choice 1 is February 3
April 21 - otherwise, all parts of either choice must be completed / Choice 1- Deadline to select this choice is February 3. After completing UNT’s online IRB training [Protecting Human Research Participants], which takes approximately 90 minutes, secure an appropriate interview subject and interview her [approximately 10 minutes] for the ongoing research project, Women Art Technology. Write a 300-word autoethnography analyzing your participation. Supervised directly by professor. All parts of this assignment must be completed by 4/21.
Choice 2 - Submit an exhibition proposal, paper proposal, paper manuscript, or residency or fellowship application relating specifically to the course content to a published, professional opportunity. Document the publication of the opportunity, demonstrate that you followed through by submitting all of the required material. Write a 300-word essay demonstrating how your proposed or submitted work relates directly to the course. All parts of this assignment must be completed by 4/21 / 15
Two, unscheduled pop quizzes / Two, unscheduled pop quizzes will be given in class during the semester. They will be based on any readings assigned up to and including the day they are administered, and on in class discussion from previous classes. Pop quizzes will be completed in class as a written, short essay submitted at the end of the quiz period. / 5 each
5 each
Extra credit – ongoing throughout the semester / Students who begin the course with a grade of B in their majors or better are eligible for the Student Advisory Board. If too many students volunteer, the professor will institute additional criteria to establish a group of 5-7 students. The group will establish and maintain a class WordPress that holds required course content. The group may assist the professor in other matters relating to technology used in the classroom or in relation to the course. / Extra credit
6 additional points possible

ASSIGNMENT POLICIES: For all assignments, instructions will be distributed prior to the due date. It is up to you to understand the assignment fully and seek assistance when needed. Please speak to the professor if you miss a deadline or if you are having difficulty completing an assignment. No late work is accepted. Make up work is not available.