ART 290/WOM 295: WOMEN IN THE ARTS
Fall 2011
M/W 1:00-1:50 p.m.
3 credits
Associate Professor Barbara Reinhart
Office: Southview 101
Office phone: 262-521-5543
Office hours: M/W 2:00-3:00 pm
Barbara.reinhart@uwc.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
ART 290/WOM 295 is an interdisciplinary exploration of women as artists. The course
is designed to introduce issues in contemporary visual art as they relate to women and
Women’s Studies. There will be opportunities for analysis of art in a variety of genres
and media. Underlying ideologies that influence our understanding of and access to the
artistic production of women and artists of color will be explored. Theories and
experiences of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, and class as they are
articulated in the contemporary visual culture will be examined. This course has been
developed to maximize student participation. It is structured around reading assignments,
group discussions, presentations, and independent research. The success of the course
depends on the level of involvement of the participants.
ART 290/WOM 295 is presented as a blended course combining online learning
activities along with in-class meetings. The class will meet twice each week with the
equivalent of a third weekly class meeting taking place in the form of asynchronous
online discussions and related assignments.
Colleges-Wide Proficiencies
 Analyze, synthesize, evaluate and interpret information and ideas.
 Gather and assess information from printed sources, electronic sources, and
observation.
 Read and listen with comprehension and critical perception.
 Write and speak clearly, precisely, and in a well-organized manner.
 Demonstrate a large and varied vocabulary.
 Use computer technologies for communication and problem solving.
 Employ and expand the imagination
 Engage in creative expression.
 Respond to the world and creative expression with knowledge and sensitivity.
Department-Specific Proficiencies
 To gain an overview of the contributions of women visual artists (both historical
and contemporary)
 To increase understanding of art made by women through the use of multiple
methodologies for solving problems
 To acquire an understanding of how women view, and are viewed by, art
historians and art institutions.
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To examine the assumptions underlying traditional research methods and to
identify potential sources of gender biases in art and design.
To relate the issue of gender bias to other forms of “other” bias in the visual arts.
To participate in creating a classroom environment in which incorporating
gender-inclusive alternative teaching methods that emphasize cooperative
learning, group discussion and critical analysis validates the experiences of all
human beings.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Attendance is mandatory: It is important that you attend classes and come to classes
prepared to discuss the topic assigned; class attendance and preparedness are major
factors in the final course evaluation.
2. Active participation: Informed, thoughtful, and engaged discussion about the
readings, films, guests, and the issues raised in the class is important to creating an active
learning environment for everyone. Because the core of this course is reading and
discussion, keeping up with the class readings and coming to class prepared to discuss
them is critical to full participation in the course.
3. Online activities: Due to the blended nature of the course it will be crucial to have
dependable online access and at least one back-up access plan. All online assignments
will have specific time as well as date deadlines to assist with scheduling.
4. Panel Discussions: Each student will work with other students in small groups to take
responsibility for two panel discussions during the semester (see discussion handout).
These discussions will be focused on issues raised in the weekly readings of the course.
5. Final Project/Paper and Quiz: Students will have a choice of a final art or service
learning project (including a 3-4 page paper) or research paper (8-10 pages). The final
project/paper will directly address topics covered in the course. A comprehensive quiz is
scheduled for during finals week.
Required Text and Readings
- A course packet available only from the campus bookstore
- A selection of readings located on the D2L site.
Recommended Text
- A good dictionary to have by your side as you read!
Field Trip: the Art Dept will organize a bus trip to the Art Institute of Chicago.
Attendance is strongly recommended. Transportation and museum entrance is included
in course fee.
Artist lectures and exhibitions: Opportunities will be announced. Attendance is
strongly recommended at one or more of these events. Extra credit may be available.
COURSE POLICIES
Grades
90% or more of the total points (see assignments) will result in a grade in the A/A- range;
80-89% will result in a grade in the B+/B/B- range; 70-79% will result in a grade in the
C+/C/C- range; 60-69% will result in a grade in the D+/D/D- range. Class participation
and general contribution to a positive learning environment are mitigating factors.
Absences and Late Assignments
Students who rarely if ever miss a class tend to earn better grades. Your semester grade
will be reduced by one full letter grade if you miss 4 to 5 classroom meetings. You will
fail the course if you miss 6 or more classroom meetings. Late online discussion and
journal entries will not be accepted and will earn no points. All other assignments will be
reduced by one full letter grade if turned in after the deadline. You will have one, and
only one, chance to be permitted a 24-hour grace period in case of computer problems.
Save it for an emergency. You are well advised to budget your time wisely and post
early.
Time Commitment
The standard is to budget 3 hours per credit per week for a college-level course. For this
blended course, only two of those hours count for in-class time. That leaves seven hours
(more or less depending on other factors) per week that you should plan to commit to
outside of class including the time spent online.
Computer Problems
We all have them. You must have at least one back-up plan such as the campus
computers, your local library, or a friend with Internet access. Use D2L tech support for
technical problems.
Plagiarism and Scholastic Conduct
As stated in the Student Rights and Regulations Handbook, academic misconduct is an
act in which a student “seeks to claim credit for the work or efforts of another without
authorization or citation”. This may include “submitting a paper or assignment as one’s
own work that in whole or in part is the work of another” or that “contains ideas or
research of others without appropriately identifying the sources of those ideas”. There
are serious consequences for plagiarism so refer to the handbook and see me if you have
any questions at all about this matter.
In class
-Cell phone use is not permitted during class. Save yourself the unnecessary
embarrassment by turning your phone off before entering the classroom.
-Laptop use is not permitted during class. Extensive note-taking from lectures is not
necessary for this course and it is crucial to have everyone’s attention directed towards
the whiteboard or each other during presentations and discussions. Notes made from
required course readings outside of class are strongly recommended in which case a
laptop may be very useful and convenient.
Online etiquette
Refer to the “Netiquette” link on the course D2L site and abide by the rules. In addition,
use salutations, signatures and spell-check for all postings.
ART 290/ WOM 295
Assignments and Proposed Weekly Schedule (subject to revision with reasonable
notice)
Week Date
1
W9/7
Introduction to the course and each other, D2L, personal profile,
Artist Diary assignment introduction, campus library and on-line research tutorial
On-line by 9/12
Post personal profile on D2L
2
M9/12
Artist Diary assignment discussion, Unit 1 images
W9/14
On-line by 9/19
Final Paper/Project introduction, quiz question #1
Post artist’s diary on discussion board
3
M9/19
On-line by 9/21
Unit 2 images, quiz question #2
Responses to artists’ diaries on discussion board
W9/21
On-line by 9/26
Panel Discussion intro & sign-up, quiz question #3
Journal entry (in drop box) & reading discussion unit 2
4
Unit 3 images, Women’s Work assignment introduction, quiz
question #4
M9/26
W9/28
On-line by 10/3
“Quilts of Gee’s Bend”, quiz question #5
Journal entry & reading discussion unit 3
5
Unit 4 images, quiz question #6
M10/3
W10/5
On-line by 10/10
Panel Discussion #1 Units 2 & 3, quiz question #7
Journal entry & reading discussion unit 4
6
Unit 5 images, quiz question #8
Images of Other assignment introduction
M10/10
W10/12
On-line by 10/17
Panel Discussion #2 Units 3 & 4, quiz question #9
Journal entry & reading discussion unit 5
7
Unit 6 images, quiz question #10
M10/17
W10/19
On-line by 10/24
Panel Discussion #3 Units 5 & 6, quiz question #11
Journal entry & reading discussion unit 6
*
M10/24 noon Fine arts gallery reception and artist presentation
8
M10/24
Guest artist and interviewer, quiz question #12
W10/26
Unit 7 images, quiz question #13
On-line by 10/31
Journal entry & discussion unit 7, post Women’s Work interview
on discussion board
9
M10/31
On-line by 11/2
Unit 8 images, quiz question #14
Post responses to WW interviews
W11/2
On-line by 11/7
Panel Discussion #4 Units 7 & 8, quiz question #15
Journal entry & discussion unit 8
10
Unit 9 images, quiz question #16
M11/7
W11/9
On-line by 11/14
Field Trip to the Art Institute of Chicago
Journal entry & discussion unit 9
11
Unit 10 images, quiz question #17
M11/14
W11/16
On-line by 11/21
Unit 10 continued, quiz question #18
Journal entry & discussion unit 10, post Images of Other
12
M11/21
On-line by 11/23
Unit 11 images, quiz question #19
Post responses to Images of Other
W11/23
On-line by 11/28
Panel Discussion #5 Units 9 & 10, quiz question #20
Journal entry & discussion unit 11
13
Unit 12 images, quiz question #21
M11/28
W11/30
On-line by 12/5
Panel Discussion #6 Units 11 & 12, quiz question #22
Journal entry & discussion unit 12
14
Unit 13 images, quiz question #23
M12/5
On-line by 12/5
Final paper rough drafts (in drop box)
W12/7
On-line by 12/12
“Not for Sale” part 1, quiz question #24
Journal entry & discussion unit 13
15
M12/12
On-line by 12/14
“Not for Sale” part 2
Post final papers in drop box
W12/14
Final project presentations
Final Quiz and project pick up: Tuesday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m.
ART 290/WOM 295
Grades (breakdown by points)
- On-line participation/discussion (12 x 6 points each)
72 points
- On-line journal entries (12 x 10 points each)
120
- On-line (or on-line component) assignments:
- 1. Artist diary
Postings in response to 2 other diaries
30
3
-
2. Women’s Work Interview
Postings in response to 2 other interviews
40
3
-
3. Images of the Other
Postings in response to 2 other papers
40
3
-In-Class Quiz Questions (24 @ 3 points each)
72
- In-Class Panel Discussions (2 @ 25 points each)
50
- Final Project (In-Class Presentation) and Paper (On-line posting)
100
- Final Quiz (24 @ 3 points each)
72
Total possible points:
605 points
Fall 2011 Assignments for ART 290/WOM 295
Assignment 1—Artist Diaries
33 total points
Part 1:
30 points max.
For this assignment you will research the life and work of one artist (selected at random
from a list during class) as well as the cultural environment in which she produced her
work. For example, you will look at family structure, social/political power (who had
access to schools and models, who was able to obtain commissions, and who had
family/church obligations), materials and techniques used at that time, other artists who
were working and exhibiting, and requirements of dress. Using this research you will
create a three-day (the days do not need to be consecutive) diary (200 to 300 words in
length) from the perspective of your selected artist that will reference the findings in your
research. Include at least three of the following: 1.) her interaction with a family
member, 2.) the price of a dozen eggs or where your artist would go to get them, 3.) a
description of an article of clothing, 4.) reflections about an artwork just begun, or 5.)
reflections about an artwork just completed. A one-page bibliography of your sources
(at least 5) must also be included (see MLA link). You must post your diary as a word
document on the D2L discussion board.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2011.
Part 2:
3 points max.
You will read and respond to two other artist diaries on the D2L discussion board. Your
responses may be questions or comments about the artists and their lives, comparisons
between two different artist diaries, or other relevant reflections and feedback.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Wednesday, September 21, 2011.
Assignment 2—Woman’s Work Interview
43 total points
For this assignment you will investigate one type of creative visual, hands-on art activity
that has been typically or traditionally done by women. The type of work may include
quilting, knitting, sewing, embroidery, cake decorating, basket-weaving, or crocheting.
Other options may be considered as well. Interview a woman who does this kind of
work. The questions that you ask should cover 3 categories. The first set of questions
should address how the person began doing the activity, who taught them how to do it,
why the woman continued to pursue the activity after she initially learned how, who the
work is for, what is the work’s function, and how does she display the pieces? The
second set should cover the specific process of how the work is created as well as what
materials and techniques are used. In the third set of questions you will ask your subject
to describe herself and her role in society. How does she balance various aspects of her
life and what might be some consequences of her choices? Prepare your questions
beforehand but also ask questions in response to answers as follow-up questions. After
the interview, consider and respond to the following questions: What is the role that the
works created play in our culture? How do others perceive these creations? Why do
women make them typically? Who would judge the quality of this work? Who would
see these and where would they be seen? Write a 3-5 page (600-1,000 words) paper that
documents the interview and describes and analyzes your findings.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Monday, October 31, 2011
Post responses to two other interviews.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2011
40 points max.
3 points max.
Assignment 3—Images of the “Other” in Visual Pop Culture
43 total points
For this assignment, you will select a popular television show, a well-known movie, or a
piece of advertising that portrays a character considered to be outside of the norm. This
may include anyone apparently non-heterosexual, of a non-majority ethnic or religious
group, or perceived to have a physical or mental disability. Make the following
observations and write up conclusions that you draw from these. What clues about the
person/cartoon character identify them as outside of the norm or other? What do you
notice about the way the character dresses and acts? What is their role within the power
structure of the show or advertisement? Is the role as comic relief, the main character,
the mentor, the manager or boss, the employee at the bottom of the office hierarchy, the
mother or the father or what? Is the character identified as male or female? Describe
anything that makes a difference in the role. What can you conclude about our culture
based on the images and portrayals that you have chosen to analyze? You may consult
movie/television reviews, and apply appropriate scholarly literature to your findings with
proper attribution and citation of sources. Next, select an image from the course text or
from one of the websites in the link section of our D2L site that also represents an
“outside of the norm” perspective and compare/contrast with the pop culture character
and organize your thoughts in the form of a 3-5 page (600-1,000 words) word document.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Monday, November 21, 2011
40 points max.
Post responses to two of your classmates’ papers.
Due: 12:59 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2011
.
3 points max.