Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - CA 117 E100

Modern Art History (3)

Class Number: 7657

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Thu, 6:30–9:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 19, 2020
    Sat, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An introduction to the visual arts of the nineteenth century. Formal and thematic approaches to the arts will be introduced, with attention to the social, institutional, national, and international contexts of art. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 167 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

Online. Plus, a 50 minute recorded lecture each week to be screened before class. Via Canvas Bb Collaborate Ultra.

This course examines the social history of European and American art during the long nineteenth century. During the fall term we will explore how certain paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings by David, Géricault, Goya, Turner, Cassatt, Van Gogh and many others addressed critical issues that emerged in the nineteenth century concerning class and gender, racism and Eurocentrism, modernity and tradition, and popular and elite culture. Through close examination of visual art practices and works, as well as the critical discourses that have developed around them, we will endeavor to better understand how visual images were thought about, written about, used and produced within different geographical and historical contexts. Emphases will include art’s reasons for being, its formal characteristics, narrative content, historical context, and relevance to our moment in time. One of the aims of the course is to encourage students to develop their own intimate relationship with images from the past, to use them as reference points from which to negotiate the myriad challenges and conflicts in their own lives. Readings will include chapters from the new digital edition of an acclaimed textbook on nineteenth century art history, and key supplementary essays (available as pdfs on the course Canvas website).


Grading

  • In-class paragraph 5%
  • Reading journals (200-250 words, weeks 2 to 6) 25%
  • Annotated Bibliography (on a work of art from the 19th century) 10%
  • Group Poster Project (5 – 6 students per group) 25%
  • Participation 5%
  • Final Exam (Take Home) 30%

NOTES:

Throughout the course, PowerPoint lectures will be posted each Tuesday on Canvas for asynchronous viewing. We will meet on Thursdays at 7:30 until up to 9:20 using Canvas’ Blackboard Collaborate Ultra video conferencing software. Classes will consist of discussions of ideas covered in the weekly lecture and readings, workshops, peer reviews, screenings, and group project meetings.

A selection of each week’s reading journals will be posted (with permission) to the course website for discussion and commentary.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

The minimal technology requirements for successfully completing this course are:

- a stable internet connection;
- video camera for online meetings;
- a laptop or desktop computer no older than six years old;


If you are unable to meet one or more of the technology requirements, please contact the course instructor to make alternative arrangements.

http://www.sfu.ca/sca/events---news/news/computer-help--sca-online-.html

REQUIRED READING:

Stephen Eisenman, ed., The Nineteenth Century: A Critical History. 5th edition. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2020

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).