Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 383"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Modern and Contemporary Art: Art Criticism and Art Practice"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2020

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Catherine Parsonage
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 2:15-5:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: One previous course in Art History or permission of the instructor
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Specialized courses offered periodically on specific aspects of the art of the modern and contemporary world. Courses are normally research-
led topics on an area of current academic concern.
May be taken more than once for credit with different topics.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

Course Description

The histories of Visual Art and Literature are tightly woven; this course will introduce and examine this relationship with a specific focus on 21^st century Art. The course will trace the role of the written word from its influence in the artist’s studio, through curatorial practice, to critical reception. The course will combine the analysis of a range of texts including press releases, poetry and prose with written assignments and presentations to develop critical thought, independent research and a personal writing style. The discussion of extensive texts and gallery visits will allow students to directly encounter and investigate the impact of the written word on the visual and vice versa. Visual culture acts as a mirror to the political and social issues of any time, looking through the lens of 21^st century art will introduce students to the current and crucial debates within contemporary art, which reach far beyond the confines of the field.

Course Content
The course will introduce a range of texts and exhibitions that explore the relationship between literature and 21^st Century Art. Beginning with an introduction to the classic forms of art writing including the press release and review, students will build on this foundation throughout the course towards the analysis of poetry, longer-form features and prose.

The course will include case studies of a range of texts by artists, journalists, critics and curators that have influenced the production and presentation of 21^st Century Art. The life and work of writers Susan Sontag, Virginia Woolf and Frank O’Hara will be explored in greater depth as figures who embody the meeting point between literature and visual art, and whose writing continues to have a profound impact.

The variety of texts and visiting guest-lecturers will introduce students to a range of voices and writing styles that will inform the development of their own. Classes will combine lectures, in-class discussions, student presentations and gallery visits to foundations, independent spaces, museums and contemporary galleries in Rome. Writing assignments throughout the course will work towards an independently researched final paper and presentation. Weekly podcasts and additional reading material will be available to download for each lecture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this course students will have a broad understanding of texts that are relevant and important to current debates in visual art and culture.

Numerous gallery visits will develop students’ skills of description and analysis, which alongside the diverse written examples will encourage a well-informed, personal, critical vocabulary.

Class presentations and conversations with visiting guests will introduce the students to multiple perspectives and develop their ability to communicate critically, thoughtfully and respectfully.

Students will utilise the rigorous analytical skills they have learnt to submit a number of written assignments including: a review, a critical essay, an interview and a longer form piece.

TEXTBOOK:

NONE

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight
Attendance and Participation	Completion of weekly reading assignments, participation and engagement with all aspects of the course: a willingness to ask questions, share opinions and contribute.	10%
Annotation	Annotation of Press Release, with a short summary	10%
Short Essays	Three written papers (15% each) A review, a critical essay and an interview.	45%
Longer Form Essay/Review	Topic & form to be discussed and approved.	25%
Presentation	15 minute presentation on the topic of the longer form essay/review.	10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY

You are expected to participate in all scheduled classes. Absences and late arrival will be noted, and may affect your grade.

You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Details of reading assignments, articles and podcasts will be provided weekly.

Core bibliographic works for the course

Levine, D, Rule, A. (2013) International Art English

Malcolm, J. (2013) 41 False Starts (A House of Ones Own)

O’Hara, F. (1957) Why I am not a painter

Sontag, S. (1964) Notes on Camp

Woolf, V. (1942) Death of a Moth

* Alterations and/or additions to the schedule may take place.

21^st Jan

Week 1.1. Lecture: Introductory Seminar

General introduction to the course structure, reading list and assignments.

Week 1.2 Lecture: The Press Release

Introduction of different forms of the Press Release: its classic form, fiction and essay.
Group discussion and analysis of 3 Press Releases.

28^th Jan

Week 2.1 Lecture: International Art English & the Bank Art Collective

A closer analysis of the language of the Press Release.
Group discussion of the article International Art English, Alex Rule & David Levine, 2012 and comparative material such as
International Disco Latin, Hito Steyerl, 2013.
Introduction to Bank Art Collective and the project Fax Back, (for annotation assignment)

Week 2.2 Gallery Visit: Lorcan O’Neil http://www.lorcanoneill.com/site/index.php)

Group Discussion & Review
Students are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

4^th Feb

Week 3.1 Lecture: The Review

Introduction of different forms of the Review: classic critique, essay and prose.
Group discussion and analysis of 3 Reviews.

Week 3.2 Gallery Visit: Frutta, Louise Giovanelli http://www.fruttagallery.com/programme/3647/

Group Discussion & Review
Students are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

Annotated Press Release & Summary text is due

11^th Feb

Week 4.1 Lecture: Camp is a Tender Feeling

This Lecture will concentrate on the seminal text Notes on Camp by Susan Sontag, 1964.
Student Presentations on Sontag’s references to camp.

Week 4.2 Gallery Visit: TBC (T293)

Group Discussion & Review
Student are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

18^th Feb

Week 5.1 Lecture: Camp is a Tender Feeling (continued)

The impact of Susan Sontag’s Note’s on Camp on contemporary art and culture.
Discussion around Notes on Neo Camp, a series of exhibitions curated by Chris Sharp and the text CAMP + DANDYISM = NEO CAMP, Kaleidoscope, 2012.
Camp & The Met Gala 2019.
The problems with Susan Sontag’s version of Camp.

Week 5.2 Gallery Visit: TBC (Gavin Brown)

Group Discussion & Review
Students are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

Review (900 words) is due.

25^th Feb

Week 6.1 The Feature, Janet Malcolm.

Introduction to the next written assignment – The Feature.
A conversation lesson with focus on Janet Malcolm’s essay 41 False Starts.

Week 6.1 Gallery Visit: TBC (Gagosian)

Group Discussion & Review
Students are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

3^rd March

Week 7.1 Lecture: Lynne Tillman’s Madame Realism

Week 7.2 Gallery Visit: TBC. (Fondazione Memmo)

Group Discussion & Review
Students are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

SPRING BREAK 9^th-13^th March

17^th March

Week 8.1 Lecture: The Classics that Persist – Virginia Woolf

Class Presentations of figures from the Bloomsbury Group.
Discussion of Virginia Woolf’s Death of a Moth and Janet Malcolm’s A Room of One’s Own.

Week 8.2 Studio Visit: TBC. (RISD, Castro)

Feature (900 words) is due

24^th March

Week 9.1 Lecture: The Classics that Persist – Virginia Woolf. An Exhibition Inspired By Her Writings

Focus on the Tate touring exhibition Virginia Woolf: An Exhibition Inspired By Her Writings
Student Presentations on artists included in the show.
Discussion of the text: Thinking back through our mothers: Making an exhibition led by the writings of Virginia Woolf.
Laura Smith, curator.

Week 9.2 Studio Visit: TBC. (RISD, Castro)

31^st March

Week 10.1 Lecture: Frank O’Hara - More orange than the ear can hold

This lecture will introduce The New York School of Painters and Poets.
It will focus on the poet Frank O’Hara and the historical relationships between poets and visual artists.
Student Presentations on: The figures around Frank.
Discussion of the text Homage: Poets discuss their favourite Frank O’Hara Poems

Week 10.2 Workshop: Introduction to Final Paper

Discussion of topics and form for the final paper

Interview/Essay (900 words) is due

7^th April

Week 11.1 Lecture: Why I am not a Painter

Analysis of the poem Why am I not a painter, Frank O’Hara, 1971 and its use as the curatorial Inspiration for the exhibition
Oranges and Sardines, curated by Gary Gerrels, Hammer Museum, LA, 2009.

Week 11.2 Gallery Visit: TBC (Ada)

Group Discussion & Review
Student are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

Preliminary Outline for final essay due. Mandatory not graded.

14^th April

Week 12.1 Abex and Disco Balls by Amy Sillman

This lecture will focus on Abex and Disco Balls, an article published in Artforum in 2011 by artist Amy Sillman.

Week 12.2 Guest Lecture: TBC

First Draft for Final Paper due. Mandatory not graded. min 500 words

21^st April

Week 13.1 Lecture 20^th April – Goshka Macuga. BSR.

Week 13.2 Group Discussion on Lecture & Final Paper Workshop

Student are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

28^th April

Week 14.1 Final Lecture

A conclusory discussion of the texts and exhibitions this semester.
Workshopping of final presentation.

Week 14.2 Gallery Visit: TBC (Monitor)

Group Discussion & Review
Student are encouraged to visit the website, read relevant press material and do background research on the artist/s.

Longer form Essay/Review due (2000 words)

DATE TBC 4-8^th May

Week 15.1 In-Class Presentations. FINAL REVIEW

(10-15 min presentationof Final Paper)

Week 15.2 In-Class Presentations FINAL REVIEW

(10-15 min presentation of Final Paper)