This document provides an overview of the Art 109A Art Since 1945 course at Westchester Community College. It introduces the instructor, Professor Melissa Hall, and outlines her education and hobbies. It describes the course as a survey of postwar art from 1945 to the present. It lists the major learning outcomes as identifying artists and movements, describing styles and techniques, explaining theoretical concepts, and relating art to social contexts. Assessment will include homework, slide identification exams, and written assignments. The policies emphasize attendance, academic honesty, and support for students with disabilities.

1. Syllabus Overview
Art 109A Art Since 1945
Westchester Community College
Dr. Melissa Hall
Fall 2017

2. Professor Melissa Hall
AAB 405
Education:
BA Studio Art, SUNY Oneonta
PhD Art History, SUNY
Binghamton
Hobbies:
Hiking
Biking
Running
On top of Brunelleschi’s Dome, 2008
Meet Your Instructor

3. HAAB 405
Mon 11:00-2:00
Tues 1:00-2:00
Wed 1:00-2:00
Meet Your Instructor

4. Best way to contact me:
•Course email on Blackboard
Meet Your Instructor

5. Course Description
Survey of “postwar” art --
1945 to the present

6. Trigger Warning!
This course may contain
offensive language, violent
subject matter, and/or
sexually explicit material!
Image source: https://accaartblog.com/tag/the-shock-of-the-new/

7. Trigger Warning!
Naked bodies, foul language,
sex, violence, blood . . . .
Lynda Benglis, Artforum Ad, 1974

8. Trigger Warning!
Much contemporary art is an
exercise in “free speech” and
will challenge us to consider
ideas we may not agree with
David Wojnarowicz poster for the film Silence=Death, 1989

9. Course Organization
Chronological overview of
major artists, periods, and
movements
Art Brut
L’Art Informel
Abstract Expressionism
Post Painterly Abstraction
Junk Art and Assemblage
Happenings
Fluxus
Japanese Gutai
Brazilian Neo-Concrete
Neo Dada
Nouveau Realism
British Independent Group
Pop Art
Minimalism
Post Minimalism
Process Art
Earthworks
Arte Povera
Conceptualism
Body Art
Video Art
Photo Realism
New Image Painting
Feminist Art
Black Arts Movement
Neo-Expressionism
Commodity Art
Appropriation Art
Identity Art
Abject Art
Installation Art
Multimedia Art
The Culture Wars
Postmodernism

10. Identify major artists and
movements from 1945 to the
1990s
What you will
learn

11. Describe the characteristic
methods, styles, media, and
techniques of postwar art
movements
What you will
learn

12. Explain the theoretical
concepts/ideas that informed
artistic movements from 1945
to the present
What you will
learn

13. Relate postwar art to the the
social and political
circumstances that shaped
them
What you will
learn

14. Evaluate the historical
sources of contemporary art
practice
What you will
learn

15. The course textbook is
available online
https://medumpa.wordpress.c
om/
Course Textbook

16. Also available on Blackboard
Course Textbook

17. Online chapters include
illustrations and embedded
videos
Course Textbook

18. Use your textbook money to
buy a laptop or tablet!
Course textbook

19. Smartphones not
recommended for online
textbook or videos
Screens are too small to see
details of pictures we will
study!
Course textbook

20. Art Since 1950 (NGA) –
excellent overview
Supplemental Resources
https://www.nga.gov/kids/zone/artsince1950.pdf

21. Theartstory.org – an online
encyclopedia
Supplemental Resources
http://www.theartstory.org/

22. Khan Academy
(Smarthistory)
Supplemental Resources
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history/global-culture

23. The Art Assignment (PBS
Digital Studios)
Supplemental Resources
http://www.theartassignment.com/episodes/the-case-for/

24. Excellent videos produced by
museums (MoMA, Tate
Gallery)
Supplemental Resources

25. Anthologies of primary
sources:
Harrison & Wood, Art in
Theory
Stiles & Selz, Contemporary
Art: A Sourcebook of Artist’s
Writings
Fabozzi, Artists, Critics,
Contexts
Recommended textbooks

26. The “definitive” textbook:
Foster, Kraus, et. al, Art
Since 1900: Modernism,
Antimodernism,
Postmodernism
Very difficult reading!!!!!!
Recommended textbooks

27. Erika Doss, Twentieth
Century American Art
More accessible; strictly
American
Recommended textbooks

28. Lisa Phillips, The American
Century: Art & Culture 1950-
2000
Out of print but still available
used
My favorite text – though
strictly focused on American
Art
Recommended textbooks

29. David Hopkins, After Modern
Art: 1945-2000
Thomas Crow, The Rise of
the Sixties
Short; more thematic, rather
than chronological survey
Recommended textbooks

30. Linda Weintraub, Art on the
Edge and Over
Excellent intro to
contemporary art practices
Recommended textbooks

31. How will your learning be
evaluated?
Assessment

32. Homework assignments due
each class
Homework

33. Homeworks based on
assigned videos and online
resources
Homework

34. No late homeworks accepted
You must attend class to
submit
Homework

35. Homework will be graded on
the basis of completeness,
accuracy, effort, using a
simple 4 point scale
Homework

36. You are required to engage
with your classmates outside
of class using the Course
Blog on Blackboard
Course Blog

37. For each of Unit, post
THREE annotated images
and provide feedback on
your classmate’s posts
Annotated Slides

38. Annotated Slide Assignments
will be “practice” for exams
Exams

39. Slide Identification
Identify the works
Demonstrate knowledge
about them
Exams

40. Exhibition Review: 3-5 page
essay on exhibition in Fine
Arts Gallery
Written Assignments

41. Students will exchange drafts
on Course Blog and provide
feedback before submitting
final draft
Written Assignments

42. We may work through
several drafts using this
process
Written Assignments

43. You will have multiple ways
to earn points towards your
participation grade
Participation

44. Active participation in class
Attendance
Completion of all course
work
Participation

45. Frequent and meaningful
engagement on Course Blog
Participation

46. Attendance at Extra-
Curricular events:
Gallery Talk (Esperanza
Mayobre)
Field trip to the Katonah
Museum of Art
Two video screenings
Participation

47. Students may also earn extra
credit towards their
participation grade by
creating a Conceptual Art
Project
Extra Credit

48. Students may also earn extra
credit towards their
participation grade by writing
an exhibition review of
“Object Out Loud: Arman
and Nick Cave,” at the
Katonah Museum of Art
Extra Credit

49. Grading
Homework 15%
Annotated Slides 10%
Exams 45% (15% each)
Mayobre Essay 15%
Participation + Extra Credit 10%

50. Failure to complete all course
assignments may result in a
failing grade
Grading I don’t do
Homework . . .

51. If class is canceled, you are
expected to check the course
website or Blackboard shell
for instructions
Weather Closings

52. There will be learning
activities assigned, and you
will be held responsible for
completing the activities
Weather Closings

53. You are expected to attend
all classes, and to arrive on
time
Einstein Strikes Out, Brian Germaine, The Angry Art Teacher
http://www.bgstudios.com/angry.html#
Course Policies

54. No late Homeworks will be
accepted, so attendance will
be factored into your
Homework grade
This Doesn’t Bode Well for You, Brian Germaine, The Angry Art Teacher
http://www.bgstudios.com/angry.html#
Course Policies

55. To accommodate absences,
2 of the lowest Homework
grades will be dropped
Course Policies

56. Behavior that is disruptive or
that interferes with instruction
will not be accepted
No Talking, Brian Germaine, The Angry Art Teacher
http://www.bgstudios.com/angry.html#
Course Policies

57. Please refrain from use of
electronic devices during
class!
Course Policies

58. If you must miss an exam,
call me to arrange a make-
up!
Course Policies
Hi Professor, I think
I’m gonna need to
schedule a make-up
exam . . . .

59. Extensions on the due dates
for written essays will be
given on a case by case
basis
Course Policies

60. Students must have a valid
reason for requiring an
extension, and must contact
the instructor to make
arrangements
Course Policies

61. This class will be conducted
in accordance with the
college's basic standards of
academic honesty
Course Policies
WCC Academic policies: http://catalog.sunywcc.edu/content.php?catoid=37&navoid=5371

62. Cheating, plagiarism, or any
other form of academic
dishonesty will not be
tolerated
Course Policies

63. Visit the college website for
an overview of plagiarism,
and tips on how to avoid it
Course Policies
Cool, here’s
something on
Wikipedia

64. WCC provides services for
students with documented
disabilities
Students with Disabilities

65. Visit the college website to
learn about services that are
available
Students with Disabilities
http://www.sunywcc.edu/student-services/disability-services/

66. The college also provides a
range of services through the
Academic Support Center
Academic Support
http://www.sunywcc.edu/student-services/asc/

67. It is up to you to take
advantage of the services
available to you
Academic Support

68. The Writing Center can help
you with written assignments,
if you find you are having
difficulties with this course
requirement
Academic Support

69. Contact the Online Learning
Office
online.education@sunywcc.
edu
914-606-6827
Technical Problems

70. “SUNY stands united against
racism, violence, and
intimidation. We support our
underrepresented populations to
the fullest extent. We do all we
can to protect the free exchange
of ideas and learning that are,
and must always be,
synonymous with university life.”
Statement on Inclusiveness

71. https://sunywcc.sln.suny.edu
Course Website