Social Sciences & Humanities Division, Daniel Webster College

Art of the Modern Period (HU 308 A), Fall 2008

Professor: Donald Wellman Office Location: L 201 Office hours: Monday & Wednesday 10-12 by appointment. Voice mail: (603) 577-6654

Course Calendar Course Resources

SYLLABUS
The study of modern art, especially painting, presents an opportunity to examine changes in ways of seeing that hold continuing relevance to contemporary visual culture. This course covers the emergence and development of specifically modern styles of expression in the period from 1862 to the years immediately following the Second World War. This course meets 3d year general education elective requirements in the Humanities Area.

GOALS:

• Develop and demonstrate the ability to write perceptive appreciations of works of art
• Develop and demonstrate abilities in research, analysis, argument, and communication.
• Develop and demonstrate an understanding of social facts and social history characteristic of the modern period.
• Increase media and visual literacy.

OUTCOMES:

• Students will be able to evaluate historical changes in ways of seeing and representation.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of the relations of form and color with respect to the depiction of volume and motion.
• Students will demonstrate a critical appreciation of significant developments in the history of modern art, establishing a command of the vocabulary required to identify selected differences of style.
• Students will identify themes in social history related to the subject matter and styles of composition surveyed in the course.
• Students will demonstrate knowledge of how the arts of the modern period have influenced contemporary media and visual culture.
• Using inductive processes, including inferences drawn from primary materials, students will demonstrate improved abilities in research and argumentation.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

• Herbert Read. A Concise History of Modern Painting.
• Francis Frascina and Jonathan Harris. Art in Modern Culture.
• John Berger. The Success and Failure of Picasso.
• Other required readings will be made available on line.

INSTRUCTOR'S EXPECTATIONS:

• Each student is to have an e-mail account and a home page on web. IT here at DWC can provide you with both of these services, if they have not already been assigned to you. You may use other providers if you so desire.
• No cuts.  After the third absence, your cumulative average for the term will be reduced by 2 points for each absence. If you accumulate a deficit of 10 points, I will ask you to withdraw from the class.
• Exercises and other short writings are due via e-mail by 9 pm of the day of the week specified in the Calendar, unless instructed otherwise. Always bring hard copies to class. If you are repeatedly late with your work, the penalties similar to those for absences apply.
• The hard copy of all work submitted for evaluation throughout the semester will conform to MLA style for format and citation. For e-mailed or posted copy you may use html or plain text. Copy in attached files will meet MLA standards. Proof-read all copy before submitting or posting. Incorrect, unclear, or wordy writing will affect your grade on individual assignments.
• Plagiarism will be warrant for failing the class. Plagiarism is the misuse of the work of others or the passing off of the work of others as your own work. Plagiarism is often a matter of misattribution or false attribution. Any such failing is a failing in intellectual honesty and evidence of plagiarism.
• Ask questions; share your ideas with the class; visit with me in my office and let me know how things are going for you in this class. The effort and energy that you will expend on various forms of participation is the best guarantee of your success in this class.

NOTE: As circumstances require, I reserve the right to alter this syllabus. The calendar too is also highly interactive, reflecting changes to assignment sheets and specifying reading requirements

WRITING AND RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS:
Course work includes several short-writings or exercises, some random goodies, a term paper and a final project or portfolio.

Exercises:
Exercises include both writing assignments and posts to discussion threads. There will be a thread for each exercise E-1 through E-5. Sometimes you will post a "finished work." Sometimes you will post a "work in progress." Exercises are designed to increase comprehension of selected readings and key concepts. Revised exercises constitute a portfolio that is worth 80% of your grade. This portfolio is evaluated as a work in progress at midterm and again at the end the of the term. Exercises include collaborative learning in the form of a round-table presentation and experiential learning in the form of a report on a museum visit. I will construct a service learning opportunity for interested students. I require a final oral presentation based on the contents or 'threads' that map your portfolio. E-5, "Assessing Picasso" is the most substantive exercise. A revised version of E-5serves as your "term paper." Participation including your effort on discussion threads, participation in collaborative assignments and oral presentations is worth the remaining 20%. This term, I hope to see all students preparing an electronic version of their portfolio.

Random Goodies:
In addition to the work above, I will suggest response writings from time to time in class. I will also recommend specific creative exercises: ideas for drawing, for collages, for playing with aesthetic form. Random goodies are not graded for themselves; they are useful for showing participation and many students choose to include versions of such random goodies in either their midterm-portfolios or final portfolios. Depending on quality and effort, completion of 'random goodies' may add as much as 5 points to your final cumulative average. Some random goodies will be included in your portfolio.

Preparation for class, timely completion of assignments, and availing yourself of opportunities for revision are crucial measures of participation. They will also guarantee your success in this course.

Course policies:

You will adhere to the terms of the Daniel Webster College Honor Pledge:

From the college Handbook: “Daniel Webster College believes that all students have the right to learn in an academic community that insures fair competition, and respects truth and honesty. Academic dishonesty is not tolerated at Daniel Webster College. The Student Honor Pledge is intended to create a community of fairness, respect and responsibility in the pursuit of academic enterprise.” Students are expected to abide by the Student Honor Pledge: I pledge on my honor, as a student at Daniel Webster College, that I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/examination.

You will always behave in ways that reflect positively on yourself and on the Daniel Webster College community.

ADA Compliance:

If you have a documented disability or believe that you qualify for academic accommodations, appropriate arrangements can be made by contacting:

The Office of Academic Resources

Heather Norcross

DW Hall Room 225

(603)577-6612

Norcross@dwc.edu

Peer-Tutoring Resources:

Daniel Webster College offers various tutoring resources for all students to utilize. If you feel you need tutoring in a course that you are currently enrolled, please contact the Peer-Tutoring Coordinator, Matthew Stogsdill, at Stogsdill_Matthew@dwc.edu.

Should you need Writing or Math/Science Support, you will be referred appropriately to the Writing Center and the Math/Science Support Center for further assistance.  The Peer-Tutoring program is located in DW Hall Room 113, in addition to the Writing Center and directly next door to the Math/Science Support Center.

Course Calendar

Course Resources