What social, cultural, and political factors contributed to the creation of various artistic movements? What forces did these movements react against, what goals did they set for themselves, and what legacies did they leave behind? Do artistic movements always reflect stylistic unity and shared ideals, or can they accommodate multiple points of view? Have these movements tended to be the conscious creation of artists, or are they largely the invention of art historians and art critics?
Together as a class we will examine Neoclassicism, Impressionism, and Postmodernism. In our discussions about these three artistic movements we will utilize different approaches to art history. In appraising the aesthetic characteristics of these three movements we will use formal analysis. Consideration of the contexts in which these artistic movements operated will lead to a better understanding of the social history of art. Scrutiny of issues involving gender and representation will serve as one example of the "new" art history and the ways in which artistic movements are constantly being reinterpreted. Throughout the course, we will contemplate the general validity of artistic categories. In addition to viewing slides in the classroom, visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Institute of Contemporary Art to examine actual works of art will be an integral component of this course.
Although you will acquire a great deal of knowledge about the history of art during the semester, this seminar is principally designed as an introduction to college-level writing. The primary aim is to learn how to write personal and analytical essays as well as research proposals and papers. Other goals include learning how to think about images and discuss them both in the classroom and on paper, how to assess your own writing as well as that of others, and how to incorporate constructive criticism into your papers.