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FALL SEMESTER 2011
COMM 4460-PERFORMANCE ART
Throw an idea instead of potatoes, idiots!—Carlo Carrera, Futurist
"I did it because it’s beautiful.”--Robert Wilson—Theatre of Images
Instructor:Dr. Justin TrudeauMWF 1:00-1:50 GAB 321
Office:320B GAB
Office Hours:M,W, F 3:00-4:00, and by appointment
Telephone:565-3526
E-mail:
TEXTS: Carr, C. On Edge: Performance at the End of the Twentieth Century.2nd Ed. Middletown,CN:WesleyanUniversity Press, 2008.
Goldberg, RoseLee. Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present. Rev ed. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2001.
Handouts
This course is devoted to the study of historical and contemporary avant-garde performance art modes of thought and action. Our main objectives will be to survey and gain appreciation of the historical and recent movements, to use this knowledge to compose performances of our own, and to develop a critical lens and vocabulary for what art does.
This class emphasizes the DOING of performance art, an artist/performer making live art before or with an audience. Therefore, the practical work we do in class, graded performances, writing assignments, and discussions will directly inform and articulate the practical work that we do.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Performance Assignments (40%)
Over the course of the semester, you will be required to prepare and present two formal graded performances. In assignment handouts I will detail certain parameters and guidelines for each performance. In brief:
The first performance assignment will be a group production that asks you to re-create or adapt the performance techniques of a historical movement that we cover in the first part of the class. Each group will run approximately 30-35 minutes.
The second performance will be a solo assignment asking you to address the three modes of thought that we cover in the second half of the course—body, space, and narrative. Each individual will have approximately 7-10 minutes to perform.
- Papers (40%)
You are required to write two papers for this course. I will expect both essays to run about 6-8 double spaced and typed pages, well-organized and carefully proofread for errors. Each paper is worth 15% of your grade.
The first paper asks you to select a piece from the first round of performances that is evocative of a particular avant-garde movement. In the paper, you will offer a descriptive and interpretive review of the performances, recreating and explaining (as you see it), what happened and what it “meant.” In the final page or two, you will discuss the performances with a more theoretical prompting, such as—what the pieces might tell us about “art” or “performance” more generally.
For the second paper, you will select and write about any two (or more) performances from the second round. Although you have a lot of latitude here, you will need to clarify why you made the choice of subjects that you did. You may concentrate on performances that were similar in genre, one that was pleasurable, or one that disturbed you. In writing the paper, you will be asked to address all four levels of critical inquiry: description, interpretation, evaluation, and theorization (prompts that we will discuss in class)
For both papers, think of yourself as a journalist like C. Carr, a writer who is knowledgeable about performance art but whose audience may not be. Although they may have heard about “Dada” or that “weirdo” artist, they don’t really know what these things mean or do. Consequently, you’ll have to explain them while also discussing the performances.
- Participation/Attendance 20%
Your attendance is necessary for participation in classroom activities that are an essential element of this class. You are granted three absences per semester other than scheduled performance days, which are required, after that your grade will be deducted by one full letter grade for any other day that you miss, followed by more grade deductions for other days missed. Performances will be given on the dates assigned. Failure to perform the assignments on the day assigned results with a maximum grade of a D…as in Don’t! Missed performance days when you are scheduled to be an audience member will result in an automatic deduction of one full letter grade for that round of performance.Excused absences are those that are verifiable as well as documented. You will earn an “A” on your participation grade if you follow the attendance requirement, read assignments on time, participate in group discussion, and involve yourself in class activities. If you do not participate in discussions or the mini-performances on assigned days, your participation grade will be reduced by a half letter grade per missed assignment.
Record of your attendance begins on the first day of class. If the class is full then students who do not attend the first day of class will be dropped in favor of students are not enrolled but attend the first day of class.
Your grade in the course will be based on your completion of the following:
Performance #1Group 20%
Performance #2Solo20%
Paper #120%
Paper #220%
Participation/3 Mini Performances/Discussion20%
Total100%
GRADING SCALE AND RATIONALE
A- 90-100%Distinguished mastery, exceptionally well-prepared, creativity
B- 80-89%Good mastery, excellence in preparation, original application
C-70-79%Acceptable mastery, basic preparation, correct technique
D-60-69%Unsatisfactory grasp, incomplete assignments
F-0-59%Failure to complete the assignment during the scheduled time
Access Policy
We cooperate fully with the University’s Office of Disability Accommodation to provide reasonable accommodation to students who require it. Students who wish to self-identify should register with the ODA no later than the second day of class.
Policy on Incompletes
Per university policy, I will award grades of “Incomplete” only in cases where a student has completed 75% of the coursework AND the grade is warranted by a medical or military excuse. Inability to complete coursework in a timely fashion does not constitute an acceptable reason for requesting or receiving an incomplete.
Policy Regarding Written Work
All written work must be typed. I will evaluate your written work on style as well as content. The Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association is the style guide utilized by faculty and students in the Department of Communication Studies. The department web site includes an abbreviated guide to address the most common errors made by student writers. Consult the “Writing Guide for Student Papers” in the “undergraduate program” section of the department website.
COMM Library Copier Use Policy
Students conducting research in the Communication Studies Library associated with departmental coursework have access to a printer/photocopier located in the office adjacent to the library. We encourage students to make use of this resource to print research accessed online in the library or to copy essays from any of the department’s holdings. Students may not use this resource for other purposes, such as printing courses assignments, class notes, scripts, etc. Students who use the copier for uses other than those outlined above will lose copying privileges
Code of Student Conduct
Acceptable Student Behavior:
Student behavior that interferes with an instructor’s ability to conduct a class or other students' opportunity to learn is unacceptable and disruptive and will not be tolerated in any instructional forum at UNT. Students engaging in unacceptable behavior will be directed to leave the classroom and the instructor may refer the student to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities to consider whether the student's conduct violated the Code of Student Conduct. The university's expectations for student conduct apply to all instructional forums, including university and electronic classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The Code of Student Conduct can be found at
All persons shall adhere to the Code of Student Conduct regarding academic dishonesty, including acts of cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating.
The willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, using someone else’s work or written assignments as if they were your own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill a requirement of this course.
Plagiarism.
The use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were your own without giving proper credit to the source, including but not limited to failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Punishment for cheating or plagiarism range from a grade of “F” on the assignment in question to failure of the course.
SETE
Students are expected to fill out the SETE evaluation of the class and of the instructor as part of their participation grade. The SETE evaluation period for the Fall is from September 19-30th.
Departmental Culture and Announcements
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Disclaimer
This syllabus should not be construed as a binding contract on the part of the instructor or teaching assistants. We reserve the right to change any aspect of the course without notice.
TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR
Fri, 8/26Introduction to Course, Syllabus Review. Intro of Self.
Mon, 8/29Preliminary Concerns/DIET
Wed, 8/31Introduction to Performance Art
Fri, 9/2Futurism--Read Goldberg, Chapter One, Handouts
Mon, 9/5Labor Day Holiday—No Class
Wed, 9/7Futurism
Fri, 9/9Futurism
Mon, 9/12Russian Futurism/Constructivism—Read Goldberg, Chapter Two, Handouts
Wed, 9/14Russian Futurism/Constructivism
Fri, 9/16Russian Futurism/Constructivism
Mon, 9/19Dada--Read Goldberg, Chapter Three, Handouts
Wed, 9/21Dada
Fri, 9/23Dada
Mon, 9/26Surrealism--Read Goldberg, Chapter Four, Handouts
Wed, 9/28Surrealism
Fri, 9/30Surrealism
Mon, 10/3Bauhaus--Read Goldberg, Chapter Five, Handouts
Wed, 10/5Bauhaus
Fri, 10/7Bauhaus
Mon, 10/10Performance 1—Group 1
Wed, 10/12Performance 1—Group 2
Fri, 10/14Performance 1—Group 3
Mon, 10/17Performance 1—Group 4
Wed, 10/19 The U.S. Avant-Garde
Space--Handouts, Read Carr 3-9, 25-48, 57-59, 70-73, 88-91, 98-100, 101-104, 159-161, 191-193, 225-229, 318-320, Read Goldberg, Chapters Six and Seven
Fri, 10/21Space
Mon, 10/24Space--Paper #1 Due
Wed, 10/26Space—Group Discussion of Readings
Fri, 10/28Space—Inspired By Mini-Performances
Mon, 10/31Body, Read Carr 10-15, 16-24, 92-94, 138-140, 144-147, 162-167, 171-173, 174-176, 312-317, 328-331, 345-349
Wed, 11/2Body
Fri, 11/4Body—Group Discussion of Readings
Mon, 11/7Body—Inspired By Mini-Performances
Wed, 11/9Narrative—Read Handouts, Carr 60-63, 64-66, 78-83, 84-87, 95-97, 105-111, 121-131, 132-137, 141-143, 148-153, 154-158, 168-170, 180-183, 187-190, 194-199, 200-205, 230-234, 237-246, 292-296
Fri, 11/11Narrative
Mon, 11/14Narrative—Group Discussion of Readings
Wed, 11/16Narrative—Inspired by Mini-Performances
Fri, 11/18NCA—No Class
Mon, 11/21Final Performances—Group 2
Wed, 11/23Thanksgiving Holiday—No Class
Fri, 11/25Thanksgiving Holiday—No Class
Mon, 11/28Final Performances—Group 3
Wed, 11/30Final Performances—Group 4
Fri, 12/2Final Performances—Group 1
Mon, 12/5Talk Back—Round 2
Wed, 12/7Talk Back—Round 2--Paper #2 Due
Fri, 12/9Reading Day—No Class
FINAL EXAMINATION WEEK
Friday, December16th
10:30-12:30 GAB 321