Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - CA 118 D100

Contemporary Art History (3)

Class Number: 6414

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Wed, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Vancouver

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 17, 2025
    Thu, 8:30–10:30 a.m.
    Vancouver

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A study of the visual arts from the twentieth century to the present, with attention to the artists, artworks, movements, and discourses that re-defined the functions and meanings of art. The debates of modernism, postmodernity, postcolonialism, feminism, and the avant-garde will be systematically explored. Students with credit for CA (or FPA) 168 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities.

COURSE DETAILS:

A critical survey of visual art and culture from about 1900 to the present. We will examine the different streams of the early avant-garde and the rise of global art history. This course will address the social, political, and philosophical questions raised by modernism, postmodernism and postcolonial theory and their influence on art in the Twentieth and Twenty-first centuries. 

The major part of the course consists of weekly lectures, readings, and screenings. They are supported by in-class workshops where students discuss the course content and work on exercises and assignments in small groups.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Through assignments and exams, students will be expected to: identify and classify works of art (artists’ names, dates, movements); understand and apply art historical terminology; analyze and develop arguments about the formal, material, cultural, philosophical, historical and political significance of selected works of art from this period; evaluate and engage critically with various arguments made by historians and critics; and develop lucid and engaging close readings of artworks.

Grading

  • Reflective Private Journals 30%
  • In-class Midterm Exam 25%
  • Group Presentation 10%
  • Participation 5%
  • Final Exam (date and location TBA) 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.