Dr. Rebecca Weller
CSUB—Art Department
rweller@csub.edu
Web Page: www.csub.edu/~rweller
Office: LB 102
654-2283
Office hours: (MW) 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.; (TR) 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
ART 483: “Modern Art c. 1863 to 1970”
Spring 2016
MUS 114
TR 5:15 – 7:20 p.m.
Modernity refers to an ever-changing world obsessed with “newness”—new media, new
materials, and new sources of power and energy. Modern artists saw it as their mission to unveil
the “truth” of the modern world through their work. They asked not just “WHAT do we see that
is different?” but more importantly, “HOW do we see differently?” Beginning in 1863 with the
“birth” of Modernism and ending in the Cold War era, this course examines a century of art that
sometimes celebrates and sometimes rejects modernity.
Required text:
 H.H. Arnason (revising author: Peter Kalb), History of Modern Art: Painting Sculpture
Architecture Photography. Prentice Hall (Pearson) 7th edition, (2013). ISBN#
9780205259472
Synopsis of Assignments:
 Quizzes (15% each) and Exams (20% each) consist of slide identifications and short
essay questions that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of art terms, social issues
surrounding the work, and information about the specific artwork. A “Study Guide,”
consisting of a list of images, will be attached to my website (www.csub.edu/~rweller)
prior to tests.
 In-class Work (10%): there will be several opportunities during this quarter to
demonstrate “active viewing,” whereby students analyze works of art in class, formally as
well as conceptually. There are no makeups.
 Research Paper (20%): a 10 page paper exploring a modernist theme in relation to three
different artists. More information on this assignment will be provided.
This course satisfies the General Education requirement for Area C and Theme II.
Objective 1: Understanding Expressions of Human Experience
Outcome 1:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the elements important to human
experience as it relates to the history, values, beliefs and practices,
communication styles (verbal and nonverbal), or modes of artistic expression of
one or more cultures.
Assessment: Exams
 Research the influence of nonwestern subjects and styles on European art,
comparing and contrasting how various artists have interpreted these
diverse cultures.
o Assessment: Term Paper
Outcome 2:
Students will demonstrate how their self-understanding is expanded by the
distinct perspectives on human experience offered by Arts and Humanities
disciplines.
Assessment: In-class work and Term Paper
 Explain the differences and similarities between experiences across
disparate cultures and among various communities within a single culture.
o Assessment: Exams
Objective 2: Analytical Reading and Writing
Outcome 1:
Students will demonstrate comprehension of the meanings of ideas, cultural
practices, literary texts, languages, or works of art in their context.
Assessment: In-class work and Term Paper
Outcome 2:
Students will analyze primary source material to more fully understand ideas,
cultural practices, literary texts, languages, or works of art.
Assessment: Term Paper
Outcome 3:
Students will write organized analytic responses communicating their
understanding of ideas, cultural practices, literary texts, languages, or works of
art.
Assessment: In-class work and Term Paper
Objective 3: Arts and Humanities Disciplines’ Content and Method
Outcome 1:
Students will gain and demonstrate knowledge of the core content of the
discipline.
Assessment: Exams
Outcome 2:
Students will demonstrate consistent use of important methods particular to the
discipline.
Assessment: In-class work
 Discuss style in relation to a variety of media, including painting, sculpture,
and architecture.
o Assessment: In-class work and all quizzes
 Analyze the formal elements of painting (line, color, space, etc.), sculpture
(form, space, materials, etc.), and architecture (utilitas, veritas, and
firmitas).
o Assessment: In-class work and Term Paper
Attendance and Late Paper Policy: Attendance is crucial to your understanding of the material since
missed slide lectures, discussions, and in-class work cannot be made up and images that are not in your
textbook will be presented in class. Remember to contact me regarding any absences. There are no
makeup quizzes or exams. Papers must be turned in on time. They will be docked one letter grade (the
equivalent of 10 points) per day until I receive it, including Saturday and Sunday. If you fail to turn in a
paper on the due date, please contact me immediately.
To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact the Office of Services for Students
with Disabilities (SSD) as soon as possible. Their office is located in SA 140, and they may be reached at
661-654-3360 (voice) or 661-654-6288 (TDD).
ART 483
Spring 2016
Schedule of Topics and Assignments:
Part I. Academic vs. Modern: the Birth of Modern Art
Mar 29
Mar 31
April 5
April 7
April 12
April 14
April 19
Introduction
HOLIDAY—no class
Origins of Modern Painting  Manet
Origins of Modern Architecture;
Haussmannization
Impressionism
Impressionism
Post-Impressionism
Ch. 2
Ch. 8
Ch. 2
Ch. 2
Ch. 3
Quiz 1
Part II. Primitivists, Anarchists, & Spiritualists
April 21
Post-Impressionism
Ch. 3
April 26
April 28
May 3
May 5
May 10
May 12
Origins of Modern Sculpture: Rodin
Art Nouveau and the fin-de-siècle
Symbolism
Midterm Exam
Fauvism
German Expressionism
Ch. 3
Ch. 4
Ch. 5
Exam
Ch. 5
Ch. 6
Part III. Other Realities: space-time continuum, psychoanalysis & found objects
May 17
May 19
May 24
May 26
Cubism and its followers
Futurism; Russian Avant-Garde
Dada
Surrealism; Mexican Renaissance
Ch. 7
Chs. 7, 9
Ch. 10
Chs. 14, 15
Quiz 2
Papers
Part IV. Machines & Marxists: Modern Art Gets Political
May 31
June 2
June 9
Art for the People: Spain, Russia, Germany
American Art Before WWII; Architecture
Final Exam (5:00 – 7:30 p.m.)
Chs. 12, 13
Chs. 8, 15, 21
Exam