ARTS 403 - Twentieth & Twenty-First Century Art History 3 hours

This course examines the development of contemporary art internationally from the beginning of the 20th century to current trends in the field. It considers the historical and contemporary contexts of the countries and artists discussed, as well as theoretical issues of globalism, diaspora, hybridity, feminism, and racial inequity and diversity. While it would be impossible to cover all of global contemporary art in a course such as this, case studies involving different artists and regions will afford the opportunity to seriously investigate different artistic movements and cultures and address global and diasporic issues. Students will learn to differentiate between pre-modern (pre-war), modern (postwar), and contemporary art and issues. We will review salient aspects of the history, including issues of colonialism and independence.

As a result, this course has a two-fold structure.

In the first, this course introduces the paintings, prints, sculpture, and architecture of the global world during the 20th and 21st centuries.

In the second, we will explore the historical contexts, theoretical foundations, and conceptual factors that influence the various interpretations and growth of visual culture from around the world during the same centuries.

As a result, you will develop critical, analytical, rhetorical, and writing skills using artworks and readings as a springboard. This course is a combination of lecture and discussion. Discussion and participation are required and will be encouraged through readings to prompt you to critically reflect on the art and to help you process and retain the material presented. Prerequisite(s): ARTS 111 , ARTS 112 & Junior Standing.