Modern Art History: Early 20th Century Art

Course Number:
ART 212
Transcript Title:
Modern Art History: Early 20th Century Art
Created:
Jul 25, 2022
Updated:
Jun 29, 2023
Total Credits:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture / Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0
Satisfies Cultural Literacy requirement:
No
Satisfies General Education requirement:
Yes
Grading Options
A-F, P/NP, Audit
Default Grading Options
A-F
Repeats available for credit:
0
Prerequisites

Placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98

Prerequisite/Concurrent 

WR 121 or WR 121Z

Course Description

Explores early 20th century art works and revolutions in science and technology, psychology and philosophy. Examines and analyzes the visual arts to reveal some effects of those changes, and to gain insight into our modern world. Surveys 20th century modern movements, such as: Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Minimalism and Photorealism. Prerequisites: placement into MTH 65 or MTH 98. Prerequisite/concurrent: WR 121 or WR 121Z. Audit available.

Course Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Develop an understanding of the connections that link visual arts to other cultural and technological developments.
  2. View works of art, reflect on and evaluate the uniqueness of a work, its origins and context within a specific cultural milieu, while also appreciating its potential influence on later art and artists and its relationship to art of the past.
  3. Understand the stylistic characteristics of early 20th century art and architecture and recognize the ways in which modernism has shaped our contemporary urban world.
  4. Recognize formal qualities in modern art and read visual elements, artistic and cultural styles, and symbols.

Alignment with Institutional Learning Outcomes

Major
1. Communicate effectively using appropriate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. (Communication)
Major
2. Creatively solve problems by using relevant methods of research, personal reflection, reasoning, and evaluation of information. (Critical thinking and Problem-Solving)
Not Addressed
3. Extract, interpret, evaluate, communicate, and apply quantitative information and methods to solve problems, evaluate claims, and support decisions in their academic, professional and private lives. (Quantitative Literacy)
Major
4. Use an understanding of cultural differences to constructively address issues that arise in the workplace and community. (Cultural Awareness)
Minor
5. Recognize the consequences of human activity upon our social and natural world. (Community and Environmental Responsibility)

To establish an intentional learning environment, Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs) require a clear definition of instructional strategies, evidence of recurrent instruction, and employment of several assessment modes.

Major Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed recurrently in the curriculum, regularly enough to establish a thorough understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a thorough understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Minor Designation

  1. The outcome is addressed adequately in the curriculum, establishing fundamental understanding.
  2. Students can demonstrate and are assessed on a fundamental understanding of the outcome.
    • The course includes at least one assignment that can be assessed by applying the appropriate CLO rubric.

Suggested Outcome Assessment Strategies

The determination of assessment strategies is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: writings (journals, self-reflections, pre writing exercises, essays), quizzes, tests, midterm and final exams, group projects, presentations (in person, videos, etc), self-assessments, experimentations, lab reports, peer critiques, responses (to texts, podcasts, videos, films, etc), student generated questions, Escape Room, interviews, and/or portfolios.

Course Activities and Design

The determination of teaching strategies used in the delivery of outcomes is generally left to the discretion of the instructor. Here are some strategies that you might consider when designing your course: lecture, small group/forum discussion, flipped classroom, dyads, oral presentation, role play, simulation scenarios, group projects, service learning projects, hands-on lab, peer review/workshops, cooperative learning (jigsaw, fishbowl), inquiry based instruction, differentiated instruction (learning centers), graphic organizers, etc.

Course Content

Themes - 20th Century Art Movements

  • Expressionism
  • Cubism
  • Futurism
  • Minimalism
  • Photorealism

Theoretical

  • Theory and criticism in the history of art
  • Pattern-based thinking and historical process
  • Various interpretations of art
  • Art and gender
  • Creativity and the impulse to make art

 Stylistic and Interpretive

  • Visual literacy
  • Art media and artistic technique
  • "Seeing and knowing"
  • Iconography
  • Formal elements of art

 Social and Cultural

  • Other peoples and their histories, values, and culture
  • Art and economics
  • Art and the social fabric
  • Art and religion
  • Art and politics
  • Art and gender
  • Relationship of culture and style
  • Art and cultural transmission
  • Historical impact of art
    • The influence of art on ones own culture
    • The influence of art on relations with other cultures 
  • Art and artists
    • The impulse to make art
    • The Gestalt of art
    • The role of the artist in society
    • Biography 
  • Geography and its influence on art and culture
  • Artifact recovery, analysis, and restoration

Competencies and Skills:
The successful student should be able to: 

  • Work creatively with art historical data, using it to develop principles of art history
  • Recognize and appraise patterns in historical phenomena
  • Assess the ways in which an art object is affected by our own vantage point
  • Recognize and discriminate among various styles of art
  • Trace the development of art from one period to another
  • Analyze formally works of art and appreciate the interrelationship of its elements
  • Determine symbolism in art
  • Employ iconographical nomenclature
  • Express the relationship of art to society and culture to style
  • Analyze the "meaning" of art objects through understanding of historical, social, and political context
  • Use specific terminology to describe works of art
  • Transfer to a four year college and continue a course of study in the field of art history, fine art, anthropology, and history in general

Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills:

  • Oral and written command of college level English