ARTH 680-001 – Contemporary Art: 1960 - present (MFA)
Cross-listed with:
ARTH 481-001 - Contemporary Art: 1960 - present (undergraduate)
Spring 2012
Wednesdays 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
3.0 Credit Hours
Dr. Karen Stock
Contact information and office hours:
Office:McL 104
Phone:323-2659
E-mail: [e-mail is the best way to reach me; be sure to put your name and course number in e-mail subject line]
Office hours:Stock: Thursdays 3:00-5:00 p.m. [please stop by and sign up] or by appointment
Web site:
Course description: This is a unique opportunity to learn about NYC and the contemporary art scene. Students will spend 4 days in New York and visit contemporary galleries and museums.
There is no required textbook. Readings are collected from a variety of sources and PDFs will be posted on the course website.
Pre-requisites: By permission of instructor.
Goals:
ARTH 482/483 fulfillsGNEDrequirements forHistorical Perspective,andHumanities and the Arts. Goal 1.1Read, write and speak standard Englishis met through writing assignments & essay exam questions;Goal 1.3Understand and practice rhetorical techniques and styles by writing and giving oral presentationsis met by the power point presentation of research;Goal 3.2Analyze and use a variety of information gathering techniquesis met through the research paper assignment;Goal 4.1Analyze diverse world cultures, societies, languages, historical periods, and artistic expressions andGoal 6.1Understand aesthetic values, the creative process, and the interconnectedness of the literary, visual, and performing arts throughout the history of civilizationare met through reading, lecture, research and exams on course description content.
Expected Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will have a greater understanding of how European and African cultures mingled in the first half of the twentieth century. Students will also gain firsthand experience of living in Paris.
Student Code of Conduct As noted in the Student Conduct Code: “Responsibility for good conduct rests with students as adult individuals.” The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online Student Handbook (
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 323-3290 and make an appointment to see a professional staff member. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from Services for Students with Disabilities, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
Course requirements and evaluations: You must complete all assignments in order to pass the course.
·Reading summary/ Précis :(25%) You are responsible for writing a ½ to one page summary of the key points of the article for each day of discussion. These should be composed of complete sentences and paraphrase the most essential aspects of the article. The challenge is to condense complex ideas.
The précis will be graded on a pass/fail basis. Each précis is worth ten points and an average will be taken from the writings completed. You have the opportunity to rewrite the précis if you submit the rewrite with the original that did not pass.
·Writing assignment: (25%) One research paper on an artist or theme appropriate to the time period of the course. 10 – 12 pages
(There will be individual handouts with detailed instructions)
·Class participation/NYC field trip: (50%) Your ongoing participation is expected. This course should primarily be made up of discussion and your participation will help you and your classmates have a more memorable experience.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the use of someone else’s words, ideas or lines of argument without appropriate documentation. All ideas as well as quotes must be properly cited in the body of your paper either with author & page number, endnote or footnote. Students should consult and print “The Correct Use of Borrowed Information” ( before beginning any writing assignment. Ignorance or failure to consult this material is no excuse.
Course policies:
Attendance and conduct: Attendance is essential to completing the course successfully and will be taken on a daily basis at the beginning of class. You are responsible for all material covered in class.
Students are allowed two unexcused absences. Upon the third unexcused absence, a student’s final grade will be lowered by 5 points. Subsequent absences will result in additional deductions, at the cost 5 points off of final grade for each day of class missed. Habitual lateness, perpetual inattention, or frequent disruptions will likewise lower your grade. Excused absences include medical and personal emergences; students must present a doctor’s note. A student who misses more than five classes will fail the course. Remember to sign the attendance sheet at each class period as this will be the sole record of your presence in the class.
Late work: Papers and writing assignments are due in class on the given deadline unless you have requested and received an extension from me before the due date. Note that I do not grant extensions except under dire and documented circumstances. Late papers without an extension will receive a deduction of ten points off the final grade for each day they are late (including weekend days), starting with the end of the class on which they are due.
Sleeping or excessive Tardiness will count as an absence
Late work or Make-up exams unacceptable without written excuse from doctor
NO cell phones or text messaging. The cell phone should not be out for any reason.
If you have special needs for exams, etc., call 323-2233
Take advantage of the Writing Center for a better paper - call 323-2138 for an appt.
Provisional Schedule of lectures and readings: (subject to change)
January
10Introduction
17Share itineraries
24Terry Smith, What is Contemporary Art?, Introduction: “Contemporary Art Inside and Out”, pp 1- 10. And Chapter 1: “Remodernizing Manhattan” pp. 13 - 37
31Terry Smith, What is Contemporary Art?, Chapter 2: Sublime-on Hudson: Dia: Beacon Now 38 - 48.
February
7Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artist’s Writings, eds. Stiles and Selz, “Gestural Abstraction” and “Figuration” intro. Pick one artist’s statement from each section to report on to the class.
14Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artist’s Writings, eds. Stiles and Selz, “Material Culture and Everyday Life” and “Art and Technology” intro. Pick one artist’s statement from each section to report on to the class
21Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artist’s Writings, eds. Stiles and Selz, “Installations, Environments and Sites” and “Process” intro. Pick one artist’s statement from each section to report on to the class.
28Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artist’s Writings, eds. Stiles and Selz, “Perormance Art” and “Language and Concept” intro. Pick one artist’s statement from each section to report on to the class
March
6Preparation for Trip
13 - 16 NYC trip
20 No Class
27No Class
April
3Presentation of final papers
10Presentation of final papers
17Presentation of final papers
Final exam meeting11:30 a.m. Wed., 4/25