Syllabus

Prof GregLeave a comment

What, When and Where is Art?
GET1039
GEX1021

Prof. Greg Dean Petersen (aka Greg/Prof Greg)

  • Office Location: YSTCM: Studio 16 (3rd fl, academic wing)
  • Office Hours: 8:30-10am (unless in a meeting) and by appointment
  • Office Phone: (65) 6516-3363
  • Email: gregp@nus.edu.sg (response time typically 1-2 business days)

INTRODUCTION

Course Description

This course explores the arts through three different, but overlapping, questions: What is art? (including the polemics associated with this question), When is art? (i.e. creations that are interpreted as art, or not art, at different times), and Where is art? (i.e. why something is perceived as art when it is in one setting, but is generally otherwise unnoticed). Visits to Singapore locations for case studies are required. Students will study and apply several disparate theories, and will also write their own.

Course Objectives

  • Interpret and summarize theoretical writings about the arts.
  • Compare and evaluate disparate art theories.
  • Apply theories to specific works of art not discussed in the theoretical writings.
  • Translate knowledge and ideas from one context into another context.
  • Synthesize the thoughts of others as part of their own thinking, speaking, and writing about the arts.

Required Materials

ASSESSMENT

Grading Criteria

  • Comprehension: To what extent do you know and understand the basic meaning and significance of the information?
  • Analysis: To what extent do you recognize the various components of the information and their relationships?
  • Evaluation: To what extent do you understand the validity and value of the information?
  • Inference: To what extent are you able to make decisions and predictions based on your Analysis and Evaluation?

ASSESSMENT

Preparation for Class: 25%

  • Weekly blog comments as instructed.

Classroom Participation: 25%

  • Everyone ready to begin class on time begins with the same neutral/”C” score.
  • You can add to your score by making a notable positive contribution to a class environment by asking an evaluation or inference questions, responding to classmates with counter-arguments or counter-questions in a respectful manner, and answering question using clear ideas and strong supporting details, etc.
  • You can deduct from your score by unauthorised electronic use, chatting in class, arriving late or leaving early without an official excuse, answering comprehension or analysis questions incorrectly, responding to classmates disrespectfully, etc.
  • Socrative exercises count as part of your classroom participation grade and are curved based on the quality.

Classroom Presentation, 25%

  • Each student will give a 5-7 minute presentation positioning the course material assigned for the week in a different perspective from other student presenters.
  • Due: Variable, depending on sign-ups.

STIPULATIONS

Absences and Late Work

  • You are responsible for the material assigned and covered in class. If you miss class, it is not my responsibility to give you a personal class. Students wishing to discuss missed discussions with me must first meet with two classmates and bring your notes with you to be used as discussion points.
  • Late work will not be accepted without an official excuse and arrangements must be made with the instructor before the absence or within one week after the excused absence. Students failing to do so will receive a “0″ grade for the missing work.

Academic Integrity

  • NUS publications, guidelines, and consequences govern all matters pertaining to academic integrity.
  • Please see the documents listed in the Student Handbook and the eModule on Plagiarism.

Final Grading

I reserve the right to give you your own personal curve using the following two rules:

  • “Constancy over aberration” (You will receive the grade that is most consistent with your overall performance in the course. For example, at the end of the semester if you have 7 every week except for a 3 in week five, I will turn your 3 into a 5.)
  • “Speed isn’t everything, direction counts.” (For students who struggle, but put in a good effort and steady improvement, I weigh the end of the semester somewhat more heavily than the beginning of the semester.)

You will be assigned a final grade based on your total score at the end of the semester using the NUS grading scale and curve.

SCHEDULE

  • W01 Introduction
  • W02 Stages of Critical Thinking (Faccione)
  • W03 Communicating Critical Thinking (MI, SI, SD, Inductive/Deductive Reasoning)
  • W04 Stages of Development
  • W05 The Artist in Society (Kaprow, Hulme)
  • W06 Inspiration vs. Training debate (Plato)
  • W07 Formal Elements in Artworks (Grieder, Aristotle)
  • W08 Art as An Experience (Dewey, Longinus)
  • W09 Museum vs Mall (Grunenberg, Putnam, Perry)
  • W10 Graffiti (Bacharach, Chang)
  • W11 Art in the Dark (McEvilley)
  • W12 When is Art? (Goodman)
  • W13 Conclusion and Post-class exercise
  • Reading Week: Final projects due