HUMI 16 - Arts, Ideas & Values - Syllabus
HUMI 16 (01,
02)--ARTS, IDEAS, & VALUES De Anza College -- 4 units Instructor: Lori
Clinchard-Sepeda, PhD; clinchardlori@fhda.edu (best way to
reach me) or 864-8988 Office: F2
building (behind L-Quad) ; M/T/W/Th: 12:30-1:30 & by appt.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”--
Einstein “Never doubt that
a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed,
it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead Course Description: This course is an introduction to visual cultural studies,
and to the ways the arts and media images around us affect, and are affected
by, our cultural ideas and values.
Emphasis will be on the contemporary use of images in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region></st1:place>,
and on the arts as a tool for social change. There will be a balance, in this
course, between studying the history of these interactions—between Arts, Ideas,
and Values—and engaging with the arts in a more personal, experiential way. Course Objectives: The student will: Critically examine the prevailing values and
attendant ideas of contemporary society, recognizing the diverse cultural and
historical origins of these values and ideas; Distinguish the subtlety and complexity with
which cultural ideas are reinforced and values reflected in art through
analysis of examples; Develop correlations between historical milieu
and artistic mediums; Explore the potential political and social
relevancies of artistic discourse; Apply criteria of cultural and aesthetic
analysis to various art works;
Evaluate aesthetic experiences and formulate
reactions to these experiences
Integrate a sense of the personal relevance of
art, both as consumer and practitioner.
Required Reading 1) Sturken, Marita and Lisa
Cartwright. (2009). Practices
of Looking, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press. Course
Requirements:
- Participation. (100 pts)
In order to receive full participation credit, you must:
a) engage fully with the class, meaning:
1. put away electronic distractions (no cell phones,
“texting”, etc.)
2. pay attention to whoever is talking & avoid
side conversations; 3. get involved with individual/pair/small group work. b) prepare in advance to answer daily Discussion
Questions, referring to:
1. the day’s reading assignments;
2. your own
personal experiences, thoughts, and feelings.
Midterm Exam. (100 pts) This exam will cover all of the reading
material up to the day of the exam, plus any additional material presented in
class, including films. You will need to
bring a small blue book and a pen to class.
Makeup exams will only be considered in cases of verifiable
emergency.
Art-for-Change Project. (100 pts) This is a chance for you to
change the world! Identify one issue
that really breaks your heart, and then find a way do something about it --
artistically. You will: a) Create something that will make a
difference, even if it’s just by speaking out. You may use any form of art you choose – edit
a short video, write a song, make a collage of photographs, design a t-shirt or
poster, bring together recycled objects, make badges, perform poetry…. b) Show your project to at least one person
of your own choosing (outside of class), and ask this person to write you a
paragraph describing their response to your project. c) Write a 4-5 page paper analyzing: 1. the
meaning of your project; 2. the
process you went through in designing your project; 3. your
own conclusions about the value of artistic expression (including what you
learned from presenting your project to another person). Feel free to tell the truth. You don’t have to pretend that it was
meaningful or powerful or fun if that wasn’t your experience. I’m looking for honest reflection here. 4. Attach
the respondent’s paragraph. d) Bring your art project & paper with you
to class during Finals week, at the scheduled day/time, ready to present.
Final Exam (100 pts) The first half of the Final exam will cover
all material since the Midterm exam, including films; the second half will be
comprehensive, addressing the broad issues of the course. You will need to bring a large blue book and
a pen to class. Extra Credit Music
Project. (15 pts - optional) a) Find a piece of music that is
representative of a particular culture or subculture. Pick something you know and enjoy and want to
share with others, something unusual, or perhaps some important traditional
music b) Write a 2 pp paper analyzing 1. the
meaning of the piece -- this may include lyrics, instrumental style/sound,
historical/social context, etc.; 2. how
the culture shaped this piece -- how are these musicians obviously products
of their culture and environment?; 3. how
this piece is reshaping the culture -- how are the musicians using music to
change their culture and environment?; c) Present
song to the class (sign up for date).
Grading: Total points possible = 400 pts. Midterm Exam = 100 pts.
Art-for-change Project = 100 pts.
Final Exam
= 100 pts.
Participation
= 100 pts.
Absences: You may be dropped after a total of
4 absences (if you have not contacted me immediately after the 4th
absence to make arrangements). However, it is your responsibility to make sure you are dropped if you stop attending. You may otherwise receive a non-passing grade.
Lateness: Class begins and ends on time. If you have a class on the other side of
campus and know that you may always be 2-3 minutes late, let me know at the
beginning of the quarter. If you arrive
after the roster has been passed around, you may sign in as “Late.” Course Outline: Week 1 --
Introductions M: Syllabus T: Introduction to Ideas of the Course W: Introduction to Students/Instructor<o:p></o:p> Th: Introduction to Discussion
questions
Week 2 – PoL - Ch. 1: Images,
Power & Politics M: Come
prepared to answer Discussion questions T: Come prepared to answer
Discussion questions W: …Discussion questions Th: film excerpts: “Ways of
Seeing” Week 3 – The Art of
Protest M: Civil Rights and Freedom Songs T: Black
Panthers and Black Power
W: Chicano/a Murals Th: Performance Poetry/Comedy Week 4 – PoL Ch. 3: Modernity: Spectatorship,
Power… M: Discussion questions T: Discussion questions
W: Discussion
questions Th: film excerpts: “Rear Window"
Week 5 -- PoL Ch. 4: Realism & Perspective M: Discussion questions T: Discussion questions W: Discussion questions Th: Virtual reality in
cyber-space Week 6 – South Africa:
Revolution in 4-part Harmony M: film “Amandla” + discussion T: film + discussion W: film + discussion Th: Midterm # 1 Week 7 – PoL – Ch. 6 – Media
in Everyday Life M: Discussion questions T: Discussion
questions W: Discussion questions Th: film excerpts:
“Manufacturing Consent” Week 8 -- Propaganda
M: film – “War Made
Easy: part 1 – in-class T: film – “War Made Easy” part 2 -in-class W: film – “War Made Easy”
part 3 -in-class<o:p></o:p> Th: Alternative media --
resources Week 9 -- PoL –Ch. 7 – Advertising, Consumer
Cultures, and Desire
M: Discussion
questions
T: Discussion
questions
W: Discussion
questions Th: film excerpts: “Class
Dismissed” (TV, social class, and advertising) Week 10 – PoL –Ch. 10 – Global
Flow of Visual Culture M: Discussion questions T: Discussion questions W: Discussion questions Th: Art-for-change project presentations Week 11 – Global
Justice Movement & the New Media M: film excerpts – “This is what democracy looks
like”</o:p> T: film
excerpts – “This is what democracy looks like” W: film excerpts – “This is what
democracy looks like” Th: Endings and Beginnings Week 12 -- Finals
M:
Optional – assistance day Final exam (see De Anza schedule) *Occasional minor changes to this syllabus may be made by
instructor if necessary.
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