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UCO 1200: Art, Religion & Society
Fall 2012 Syllabus
Instructor: Lillian Nave Goudas
E-mail: goudasln@appstate.edu
MWF 12:00-12:50 PM
Classroom: Herbert Wey 208
Office: Duncan 113G
Office Phone: 262-8184
Office Hours: MWF 10:50-12 noon, 1-2 PM, and by appointment
“Love of art-be it poetry, storytelling, painting, sculpture, or music-enables people to transcend any barrier man has yet
devised.” –Mary Ann Shaffer, author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
“Art…must do something more than give pleasure: it should relate to our own life so as to increase our energy of Spirit.” Kenneth Clark, Art Historian
COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES
This course will explore the role of art and the artist in our world. From ancient times to
the present day, humans have used a visual language to communicate their ideas. Long before
alphabets were systematized, humans communicated their thoughts through abstract and realistic
portrayals of animals, people, and the world around them. Issues as banal as the next meal to cosmic
ideologies concerning the nature of God were and continue to be expressed through the visual
language of art. Throughout this semester we will evaluate how and why art has impacted society
through religious understanding. We will discuss the relationship between art, religion and society to
see how this multivalent visual language is used, exploited, even censored, but never ignored. Using
a topical rather than chronological approach, we seek to understand the meaning of this language for
our own lives and society so that we may interpret and use this language more effectively.
REQUIRED READINGS
Electronic Reserve Readings
You will be able to access the readings for this course through the Appalachian State
University Library system. In order to do this, follow these steps:
1. Go to the ASU home page
2. Click on Library (under “Quick Links” on the left hand side of the page in a box)
3. Click on “Reserves”
4. Under “Obtain Course Reserves” click on “By Instructor”
5. Type in “Goudas”
6. This should take you to the readings. At this point, click on the reading noted in the
syllabus.
7. Once you click on the reading, you will need to provide your name and banner ID# at
the prompts. Then you will have access to the readings. You can read them online
or print them out to read.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Attendance
You are required to come to class. There will be an in-class assignment almost every day
that you will record in your journal. Our class time is very important because we will be
discussing topics as a group. Your input is important and hearing other viewpoints is equally
important for this class. You are expected to be present at all classes and to participate in the
discussion. You are allowed 3 unexcused absences for the duration of the course. If you are
absent a fourth class, your final grade will be lowered by 1 grade (for example, from an A- to a
B+). Each absence after that will lower your final grade by one grade as well.
Class Participation
Your participation in this class is very important. We will be exploring our own
reasoning, system of beliefs, expression of beliefs, and understanding of each other. When you
speak in class, you are putting into practice your ideas and we can all learn from them.
Self-Portrait Project
You will be assigned an art-related project to be graded. You do not need to be
artistically inclined to excel on this project. A separate assignment sheet will be passed out
during the semester. The project is worth 10% of your final grade.
Journal
Writing is an extremely important skill you will use the rest of your life. It is a skill that will be
stressed a great deal in this course. Each class day you will write in your journal on a topic,
sometimes art related, but other times not. These exercises are designed to make you think and to
force you to write down your thoughts in a coherent manner. The journal is merely one avenue we
will use to help you formulate and express your ideas clearly. You will write these journal entries on
notebook paper that you can hand in to me at designated times throughout the semester. Journals
must be on loose-leaf paper bound together in a 3 clasp flat paper binder. The Journal is worth 20%
of your final grade.
Paper
You will be assigned a short three to five page formal analysis of a work of art that we
will see as a class. A separate assignment sheet will be passed out explaining the assignment in
detail. The paper is worth 15% of your final grade.
Group Project
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You will work with other members of the class on a project requiring use of the
library’s resources. This project will include both written and oral components. We will all go
to the library together and learn some research tools and then students will work in groups to
present their results to the class and submit a written assignment. The group project is worth
25% of your final grade.
Final Exam
There will be a final exam given during the final exam period. It will cover all of the
ideas for the entire semester and will be largely essay based. The final exam will account for
20% of your total grade.
CLASS CONDUCT
Be courteous to your fellow classmates and to your professor. If you have a laptop to
take notes, I am already suspicious of your behavior. Do not try to fool me by playing video
games during class. We are in class only briefly and it is to your detriment not to pay attention.
It is also distracting to your fellow classmates. If you have something to add to the class
discussion, please add it for all to hear. Cell phones and all handheld electronic devices must
be turned off during class time.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY CODE
As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an
atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust
and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from
the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing
in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty. This course will follow the
provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student
Conduct Web Site: www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.
Your work in this class should be your own. You may study with other students and
discuss paper topics, but anything you submit must demonstrate your own thoughts and must
be in your own writing. You may not claim someone else’s ideas as your own. Please read
carefully the Academic Integrity Code which can be found at the Office of Student Conduct web
site: http://studentconduct.appstate.edu as it is also my binding agreement with you.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for
individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Those seeking
accommodations based on a substantially limiting disability must contact and register with the
Office of Disability Services (ODS) at www.ods.appstate.edu or 828-262-3056. Once registration
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is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate
accommodations.
RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCES
Students are allowed a minimum of two excused absences for religious observances per
academic year. Except in extraordinary circumstances, student requests for excused absences
for religious observances must be submitted to instructors in writing no later than three weeks
after the first class day of the term.
CLASS SCHEDULE
SECTION ONE: ART & THE STATE
W August 22: Introduction to course
F August 24: Public Art -Where it all starts: The Parthenon
Reading: Reading: John Griffiths Pedley, “The Parthenon,” from Greek Art and
Archaeology, pp. 240-253 (Chapter 8 in electronic reserve)
Journal: How did the Athenians write themselves into their own religion in this
monument? What is the relationship between man and god in this sculptural program?
M August 27: The Roman Ideal
Reading: James E. Packer, “Trajan’s Glorious Forum,” Archaeology (January/February
1998), 32-41. (Chapter 9 in electronic reserve readings)
Journal: How do the Romans, and specifically Trajan, take the ideas began in the
Parthenon and mold them into a new understanding of man and god?
W August 29: David Horn and Lane Bailey talk about community Gardens
Reading:
Journal:
F August 31: Thomas Sayre in Lenoir
Reading: TBD
Journal:
M September 3: No Class-Labor Day
W September 5: Farm City
Th September 6: Convocation-Novella Carpenter speaks
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F September 7: Field Trip to Lenoir to work in Community garden
M September 10: Art as propaganda Part 1: Hitler’s Ideal of German Art
Reading: Various articles on electronic reserve.
Required video clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVzJIqzZvSI
Journal: In-Class exercise questions (handout)
SECTION TWO: JEWISH ART & REACTIONS
W September 12: Art as propaganda Part 2: Degenerate Art in Nazi Germany
Reading: Christopher Zuschlag, “Chambers of Horrors of Art” and “Degenerate Art”: On
Censorship in the Visual Arts in Nazi Germany,” Suspended License: Censorship in the Visual
Arts, ed. Elizabeth C. Childs (Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997), 210-234. (Chapter
2 in electronic reserve readings)
Journal: How does Hitler effectively demonize the Jewish race through an art
exhibition? What is your reaction to this?
F September 14: Degenerate Art video
Reading:
Journal:
M September 17: Propaganda & Remembrance-Arch of Titus and Holocaust works
Reading: Nancy H. Ramage and Andrew Ramage, “The Arch of Titus.” From Roman Art,
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5 edition, (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009), pp. 176-179, and search the
Jewish Museum online collection (www.thejewishmuseum.org) for “The Holocaust” by George
Segal and “Monument (Odessa)” by Christian Boltanski. (Chapter 1 in electronic reserve
readings)
Journal: These works all serve the purpose of remembrance but in vastly different ways.
How do these sculpture “remember” and why?
INTEGRATION 1-Self, Art & Society
W September 19: Concerning Spirituality in Art
Film: Kandinsky
Reading: TBA
F September 21: Project Due-Present Project in Class
F September 21: Self-Portrait Project Gallery/Presentations
Reading: None
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Journal: What is your reaction to your classmates’ projects? Are you surprised by
anyone in the class? Did you connect with anyone in particular after hearing about their
project? Is there someone with whom you would like to talk further about his/her project?
SECTION THREE: The “Christian” West- Some Perspectives
M September 24:
W September 26:
F September 28:
M October 1:
W October 3:
F October 5:
M October 8:
W October 10:
THURSDAY, October 11 to SUNDAY, October 14: TRIP to New York City
F October 12: NO CLASS – Fall Break
M October 15:
W October 17:
F October 19:
M October 22:
W October 24:
F October 26:
M October 29
W October 31:
F November 2:
M November 5:
W November 7:
F November 9:
M November 12:
W November 14:
F November 16:
M November 19:
W November 21: Thanksgiving Break
F November 23: Thanksgiving Break
M November 26:
W November 28:
F November 30:
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M December 3:
W December 5:
F December 7:
Visiting Artist Charlie Frye
Reading: Hilary Brand and Adrienne Chaplin, “Art in a Post-Modern Age,” and Art and
the Quest for the Spiritual,” from Art and Soul: Signposts for Christians in the Arts (Carlisle, UK:
Piquant, 2007), 3-24 (Chapter 3 in electronic reserve readings)
Journal: What was the most interesting part of Mr. Frye’s talk today?
Rosen Sculpture Contest Tour, led by Neil Coleman of the Turchin Center
****IMPORTANT: Meet for tour at the Duck Pond right behind the sculpture of Yosef, the tour
will go on rain or shine!!!!****
Reading: www.rosensculpture.org, read through the website and familiarize yourself with the aims of
the contest and its history
Journal: Choose one sculpture from today’s tour and write about what you saw and
what the sculpture may mean. (Describe the sculpture and then analyze its parts to explain
how the various formal elements come together to create its ultimate effect.)
Friday, September 30: Noon-2:30pm-Field trip to Lenoir for sculpture walk, Frye art studio and
St. James church mural
Why Art Matters
Reading: Mark Poster, “Global Media and Culture,” New Literary History, 2008, 39:685703. **Important: You only need to read the pp. 690-700, “Analog and Digital Culture/ Global
Culture/ and Global Media Culture” sections** (Chapter 6 in electronic reserve)
Journal: Given during class period.
Case Study-Makoto Fujimura
Reading: Various Articles on online reserve-“Splendor,” “Falling Towers and the Art of
Tea,” “Why Art?”
Journal: Given during class period
Case Study-Sally Mann
Reading: Various Articles on online reserve
Journal: Given during class period
SECTION THREE: Art, Politics & Censorship
Art & Politics-Brooklyn Art Museum
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Reading: Steven Henry Madoff, “Shock for Shock’s Sake” (Time, October 11, 1999),
Mona Charen, “Museum Exhibit Makes You Sick,” The Boston Globe, October 4, 1999), Franklin
Foer, “The Fine Art of Politics,” (U.S. News & World Report, October 11, 1999), “Questionable
Art,” and “Beholding the Unbeautiful,” (Letters to U.S. News & World Report, November 15.
1999), John Leo, “Hello, Dung Lovers,” (U.S. News and World Report, October 11, 1999), Dan
Barry and Carol Vogel, “Giuliani Vows to Cut Subsidy Over Art He Calls Offensive,”(New York
Times, September 23, 1999), Philippe de Montebello, “Making a Cause Out of Bad Art,” (New
York Times, October 5, 1999), Gustav Niebuhr, “Opposition to Exhibit is Defense of Mary as
Icon,” (New York Times, October 3, 1999), Carol Vogel, “Chris Ofili: British Artist Holds Fast to
His Inspiration,” (New York Times, September 28, 1999), Linda Nochlin, “Saluting Sensation,”
Eleanor Hartney, “A Catholic Controversy,” and Marshall Berman, “Museums in the Age of
Giuliani”(Art in America), 37-43. (Chapter 7 in electronic reserve reading)
Journal: If you were the mayor of New York, would you have taken the same action as
Giuliani?
Case Study-Andres Serrano
Reading: Lucy Lippard, “Andres Serrano: The Spirit and the Letter” (Art in America, April
1990), 238-245, Jesse Helms, "Senator Helms Objects to Taxpayers' Funding for Sacrilegious Art
(1989)," Andres Serrano, "Letter to the National Endowment for the Arts (1989)" from Theories
and Documents of Contemporary Art, 1996. (Chapter 8 in electronic reserve reading)
Journal: Should religious art be publicly funded? Should art be publicly funded at all?
INTEGRATION 2- Art & Analysis
Formal Analysis exercise-Be Gardiner’s Savonarola’s Venus
Reading: Sylvan Barnet, excerpts from Chapter 2, “Analysis” from A Short Guide to
Writing About Art, 6th edition, pp. 81-100, New York: Longman, 2000 (Chapter 11 in electronic
reserve readings).
Journal: Begin note-taking on sculpture, writing down ideas and analysis on paper. (Inclass exercise.)
SECTION FIVE: Art, Islam & “The West”
Music, Film & Art
VIEW FILMS: Afghan Star
Art History meets Formal Analysis-bring in rough draft of formal analysis paper on which to
take note during class
Reading: Sylvan Barnet, excerpts from Chapter 2, “Analysis” from A Short Guide to
Writing About Art, 6th edition, pp. 81-100, New York: Longman, 2000 (Chapter 11 in electronic
reserve readings). Make sure you do this reading! That is why it is assigned TWICE!
Submission
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Reading: Various articles related to Theo Van Gogh and Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Chapter 10 in
electronic reserve readings)
Journal: Given during class period.
F to Monday November 4-8: Trip to New York City (Museum of Modern Art, Jewish Museum,
Tenement Museum, Metropolitan Museum, International Art Movement)
Th November 10: Sculpture Formal Analysis Paper Due
Psychological Counseling Services visit
Reading: None
Journal: Document your reaction to the discussion today.
Mohammed in art
Reading: Selected newspaper articles about Mohammed cartoons in Dutch papers
(Chapter 12 in electronic reserve readings)
Journal: What is your opinion of the drastic actions taken by some after the publication
of these cartoons? Is this reaction warranted, appropriate?
INTEGRATION 3: Art, Religion, Self-Analysis & Society
Film Discussions:
Persepolis
Tree of Life
Afghan Star
What Remains
Degenerate Art
Submission
The Giant Buddhas
Assignments:
Self-Portrait Project
Journals
Annotated Bibliography
Formal Analysis paper
Service project at community garden reflection paper
TCVA letter to Hank Foreman
Symposium presentation
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Culminating Project this year:
Symposium with various speakers about Harvest theme and student input/presentations