Contemporary Art Practices

(ARTH 1 or 102 recommended as preparation) Introduction to the range of contemporary art modalities in light of the socio-political context in which they arose or flourished, with a view to illuminating the ideas and ambitions embedded within this challenging, anti-traditional work. The course will address both the practices of the visual arts (style, genre, media, movements), and the multiple theoretical bases for justifying such practices--a combination that will enlighten students not only about the art itself, but about the nature and function of art history, art criticism, and theory.