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Overview

Course Prescription

The rise of Modernism saw the development of art which is reflexive, which draws attention to itself and the illusion of representation, making us reflect about what art is and how it affects the viewer. This course is designed to enable students to develop their own reflexivity and critical awareness through a study of the 'classic' movements of the twentieth century, such as Cubism, Expressionism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Op, Pop and Conceptual Art.

Course Overview

The course aims to show that an important function of art is to enhance the ability to see the world from a number of different perspectives increasing the breadth and depth of a viewer’s self-awareness. An essential, underlying theme is how the viewer’s vision is addressed and explored in the art of the twentieth century, and how the gaze is related to the construction of the viewer’s own identity. Not only do the art works of these different periods challenge the viewer imaginatively to adopt a multiplicity of identities and roles, they also reflect back different conceptual, emotional, psychological, political and social ways of seeing.


Trying to frame or target the viewer’s responses needs and realities in art has a long history. In this course we will focus on FOUR major approaches:

- Social Context

- Facture

- Sensory perception and emotional response

- Conceptual and Philosophical response

 

The course will pay attention to the fact that within each of these broad categories of address and response, there are different cultural, personal and individual inflections, and that it is possible to focus on certain themes which cut across these different types of response, such as the representation of women, or non-Western cultures and ethnic minorities, which involves looking through a whole range of addresses and responses outside of the dominant white, privileged, Western male’s perspective that so much of Western art leaves unchallenged.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures, and 12 one-hour tutorials (1 per week) with your stage II peers.

Course Prerequisites, Corequisites and Restrictions

Prerequisite
Restriction

Locations and Semesters Offered

LocationSemester
City

Teaching and Learning

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials/labs/ will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events
Attendance on campus is required for the test/exam.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable

This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ.

Module

Cubism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, Pop Art, Minimalism, Abstract Expressionism, Art Brut, Conceptualism

Learning Resources

Taught courses use a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas to provide students with learning materials including reading lists and lecture recordings (where available). Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Additional Information on Learning Resources

Reading The main texts recommended for this course are:
Christopher Green, Art in France 1900-1940  (New Haven: Yale University Press, 2000)
David Hopkins, After Modern Art 1945-2000 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002)
Gregory Minissale, Rhythm in Art (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2021)
Paul Schimmel, Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void, 1949–1962 (NY: Rizzoli, 2012)
Kirk Varnedoe, Pictures of Nothing: Abstract Art Since Pollock (Princeton, 2006)
    

Copyright

The content and delivery of content in this course are protected by copyright. Material belonging to others may have been used in this course and copied by and solely for the educational purposes of the University under license.


You may copy the course content for the purposes of private study or research, but you may not upload onto any third-party site, make a further copy or sell, alter or further reproduce or distribute any part of the course content to another person.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Other Information

We go to the visit the Auckland Art Gallery to have tutorials there about how to view modern art.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed for potential plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct, using computerised detection mechanisms.

Similarly, research students must meet the University’s expectations of good research practice. This requires:

  • Honesty - in all aspects of research work
  • Accountability - in the conduct of research
  • Professional courtesy and fairness – in working with others
  • Good stewardship – on behalf of others
  • Transparency – of research process and presentation of results
  • Clarity - communication to be understandable, explainable and accessible

For more information on the University’s expectations of academic integrity, please see the Academic Conduct section of the University policy hub.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about taught courses is made available to enrolled students in Canvas.

Students may be asked to submit assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.


Assessment and Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

CLO #OutcomeProgramme Capability Link
1
2
3

Assessments

Assessment TypeAssessment PercentageAssessment Classification

Assessment to CLO Mapping

Assessment Type123

Student Feedback, Support and Charter

Student Feedback

Feedback on taught courses is gathered from students at the end of each semester through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions. Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students. In addition, class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Additional Information on Student Feedback

"The clear structure for organising the course and approaching the different genres in the 20th century of facture, the social and historical, the sensory and emotional, and the philosophical and conceptual."
"The structure of the course was well thought–out and clear. The tutorials backed up and extended the learning from the lectures without introducing new material. Greg knows his topic well and communicates it an engaging and understandable way."
"The lectures were engaging, interesting and always so well presented. The tutorials were really informative and helpful and Greg was really supportive of our questions and explained everything in such detail, Absolutely the most inspiring lecturer and tutor – Thankyou."

"Very clear and structured approach to assessments, which was made clear in every class and tutorial."
Greg is such an amazing lecturer. His knowledge and passion comes through in everything he says and it makes me so inspired to learn."

Class representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Tuākana

Tuākana is a multi-faceted programme for Māori and Pacific students providing topic specific tutorials, one-on-one sessions, test and exam preparation and more. Explore your options at Tuakana Learning Communities.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website.

Wellbeing

We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - please see the Support Services page for information on support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed work is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due. If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page. This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter.

Student Academic Complaints and Disputes

Students with concerns about teaching including how a course is delivered, the resources provided, or supervision arrangements, have the right to express their concerns and seek resolution. The university encourages informal resolution where possible, as this is quicker and less stressful. For information on the informal and formal complaints processes, please refer to the Student Academic Complaints Statute in the Student Policies and Guidelines section of the Policy Hub.