Class meets TTh 4-5:15 in Gannett 112
Course Requirements:
This is a discussion-focused class, which depends on our coming to class ready to engage respectfully with each other. I expect everyone to attend class, view assigned movies, complete readings, participate in discussion, turn in papers/essays on time and take turns initiating discussion of assigned readings. More than 2 absences or any late assignments will adversely affect your grade. Students will comply with Ithaca College guidelines for academic honesty. All assignments must be completed in order to receive a passing grade for the course.
Class participation - 20%
Short reading/film responses – 10%
Two take home essay exams - 20% each
Research paper - 30%
Course Objectives:
- Expand our ideas about what it means to be revolutionary in the realm of artistic production and reception
- Form a nuanced understanding of the relationship between art and history in the context of Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua
- Develop critical analysis skills as applied to written texts and visual objects
- Develop effective writing and discussion-leadership skills, and those skills needed to work collaboratively and prepare papers in a timely manner
- Develop listening and discussion skills; fully engage with classmates
- Question the role of art and education in society
Readings and website:
The following books are available for purchase:
David Craven. Art and Revolution in Latin America. New Haven, London, 2002.
Mariano Azuela. The Underdogs (Los de Abajo).
Recommended: Cuba: Art and History from 1868-today. Montreal, 2008.
Supplementary readings are available through the class website. You will need to login to the system using your WebID and password
www.ithaca.edu/faculty/jjolly/revolution
The website also has copies of the syllabus, assignments, reading prompts, and image resources.
Images are available through ARTSTOR, for which you first must create an account using your IC email address. Access Artstor via the library's Database page. Remember: to access the class folder, "revolution", on Artstor, you will need to go to "FIND" and "UNLOCK PASSWORD PROTECTED FOLDER" and then enter our password: "vivazapata"
Course Schedule
January
WEEK 1
26 Introduction to Art and Revolution
MEXICO
28 Introduction: The Mexican Revolution
February
WEEK 2
Post-revolutionary Nationalism and the State
2 Revolutionary Art Education: competing definitions
4 Obregon and Vasconcelos: Public Education and Muralism
WEEK 3
9 Mestizos, Indios or Campesinos?
Discussion/ Reading Response 1
11 Diego Rivera: Chapingo and the National Palace Murals
Discussion/Reading Response 2
WEEK 4
Alternative Visions of Revolution
16 Underbelly of the Revolution: Orozco and Los de Abajo
18 In the Shadow to the Big Three: Kahlo, Modotti, and Izquierdo
Discussion/Reading Response 3
WEEK 5
23 Siqueiros and Communism in Mexico
Virtual mural exploration project
25 Taller de Gráficas Populares
WEEK 6
2 Surrealism and Revolution
Discussion/Reading Response 4
CUBA
4 Introduction: Cuban Revolution
WEEK 7
March
9 Art and Policy in Cuba
Discussion/Reading Response 5
11 Optimism of the 1960s
**ESSAY #1 DUE
WEEK 8
16, 18 SPRING BREAK (Note: Paper topic, preliminary bibliography due soon)
** View MOVIE –Memorias del subdesarrollo
WEEK 9
23 Art for the New Man (and Woman?): Discussion
Discussion/Reading Response 5
25 Popular Art: Posters
**RESEARCH PAPER TOPIC and PRELIMINARY BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE**
WEEK 10
30 Film Discussion: Memorias del subdesarrollo
April
1 1970s
WEEK 11
6 1980s: Volumen Uno – new approaches
8 Afro-Cuban Legacies
VIDEO: It Seems Like Happiness (Manuel Mendive performance/film)
WEEK 12
13 Afro-Cuba II
15 1990s - Recent Trends
**PAPER THESIS AND EXPANDED BIBLIOGRAPHY DUE**
**VIEW MOVIE – Fresa y Chocolat**
WEEK 13
20 Art and Life
Film: Sin Embargo, 2003 (dir. Judith Grey)
22 Film Discussion (Fresa y Chocolat): Religion, Sexuality and Revolution
NICARAGUA
WEEK 14
27 Introduction
29 Cultural Democracy
Discussion / Reading Response
May
WEEK 15
4 The Artists: Primitivists and Vanguardists
**RESEARCH PAPER DUE**
6 Murals and the Public
WEEK 16
11 Class meeting 11-12 am
Wrapup
**FINAL TAKE HOME ESSAY DUE**
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