DEPARTMENT OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES
BFA
Art, Culture & Society
Course Number:
ARHU221
Instructor:
Janelle DolRayne
E-mail: Janelle.dolrayne@nyfa.edu
Instructor contact hours are 15 minutes prior to and 15 minutes directly after each
scheduled class. Students may arrange for consultations by contacting the instructor
directly.
Credits:
3 Credits
Course Length:
45 total class hours. Meets once a week for a total of 15 weeks. Students are expected to
do homework and course preparation in addition to attending class.
Course Description:
The class will explore the role of art and the artist in society, both in a historical context and
in the world today. It will look at the impact artists’ works have - or do not have - in the
cultures in which they live, and will explore the concept of artist as celebrity, ambassador, and
spokesperson. The course is primarily genre based; that is, it will focus on a distinct art-form
each time it is offered (art, music, theatre, film), but will consider the impact of major artists
across all genres. Visits to museums, concerts, films and theatres will form an integral part of
the course.
Prerequisite(s): Dramatic Literature or Comparative Literature
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 1
Student Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Demonstrate advanced analysis of various types of artistry.
● Craft advanced critical analysis skills of artistry through writing and presentation.
● Examine the qualities necessary to be an artist in a culture and in the world.
● Skillfully vocalize and demonstrate their personal goals and interests as artists.
● Utilize advanced research skills to enhance their artist vocabulary and knowledge.
● Connect elements of one’s personal story with the stories of a variety of artists in order to
more fully comprehend another’s artistic intent, as well as one’s own.
Instructional Methods:
This course is taught using a variety of instructional methods, including lecture, class
discussions, small group work, project creation, and electronic discussion.
Reference Materials & Supplies:
Readings will be emailed and posted on arhu221.wordpress.com. Please Purchase a package
of 3x5 inch notecards.
Notecards: Each day you will turn in a 3x5 inch notecard on the reading assignment for
that day. You may use the notecard to take notes, ask questions, and/or write ideas pertaining
to the reading and/or topic. I use the notecards to take attendance. If you do not turn in a
notecard, you will be counted as absent that day. The effort put into your notecards will be
reflected in your participation grade.
Attendance & tardiness policy
Students are expected to arrive to class prepared and on time. Please refer to the
2015 NYFA, Los Angeles Course Catalog for complete information regarding
NYFA’s Attendance and Absence Policies.
Electronic device policy
The use of cell phones/smart phones/iPads/tablets is expressly forbidden, unless
used for research or other class-related work, under the direct supervision of the
instructor.
Phones, etc, should be turned off and kept out of sight during class. The first
violation will result in a warning. Second and subsequent violations of cell phone
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 2
policy will result in immediate expulsion from class. The student will be marked
absent for the day. The absentee policy will be applied as outlined above.
This policy is enforceable for all classes and all instructors.
Academic Honesty:
Plagiarism is the attempt, successful or not, to pass off someone else’s words or ideas as your
own. Any copying from another student, or lifting/paraphrasing passages from the internet,
books or any other source, without giving proper credit, is considered dishonest.
The New York Film Academy expects all students to be responsible individuals who insist
on high standards of honesty, personal conduct and creative integrity. All assignments and
exams must represent the student’s own work, and all quotes and other external sources used
in research papers must be properly cited.
All incidences of plagiarism, cheating, deliberate hindrance in other students’ work and other
forms of dishonesty and misconduct are considered serious offenses and will result in a
failing grade “F” for the course. The student will be subject to a Disciplinary Review Hearing
at which further penalties will be imposed.
Freedom of Speech:
The New York Film Academy is an open, artistic environment. While we embrace the artist’s
right to free speech and expression, any form of discrimination (whether based on age, race,
religion, gender, or sexual preference, etc.) will not be tolerated. Libel and slander are strictly
prohibited. Any student found guilty of defamation against New York Film Academy
students or staff is subject to suspension or expulsion. Any student who fails to respect these
terms is subject to suspension or expulsion by the Director and the Dean of College.
Satisfactory Academic Progress & NYFA LA Academic Progress:
Please refer to the NYFA LA Course Catalog at http://catalogs.nyfa.edu to review Federal
Regulations for Satisfactory Academic Progress and NYFA LA Academic Progress Policies.
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 3
Grading Criteria:
Class Participation – 15%
Weekly Writing – 20%
Mid-Term Exam – 20%
Essay One– 20%
Final Project & Presentation – 25%
Students will have NO MORE than one week following the final posted grade to submit
any makeup work.
The instructor shall exercise his or her discretion in determining whether or not to allow a
student to make up a failing grade. If given make up assignments, a student may only
make up a maximum of 15% of the final semester grade.
Grading Rubric:
F (Failing):
● Student comes to class unprepared or with 3+ unexcused absences or frequent tardiness.
● Assignments are incomplete or turned in late, at an extremely poor/inadequate level.
● Demonstrates a lack of understanding of psychological principles taught in class, and
does
not make an effort to learn or study the material at hand.
● Demonstrates lack of respect for peers, and fails to participate in in-class discussions or
contribute constructive criticism.
D (Below Average):
● Performances are under-developed, based on a lack of preparation and research.
● Research papers & written assignments demonstrate a partial understanding of topics
presented in class.
● Inability to demonstrate satisfactory growth by integrating feedback in subsequent work.
● Minimal participation in class discussion and exercises.
● Failure to meet deadlines; assignments are handed in late or incomplete.
● Shows little to no integration of principles learned in class.
C (Average):
● All assignments completed on time.
● Satisfactory participation in class discussions and debates.
● Written assignments and oral presentations demonstrate technical proficiency and
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 4
understanding of principles learned in class.
● Evidence that feedback has been integrated into subsequent work.
B (Very Good):
● All of the above plus; student actively participates in class discussions and debates,
forming
persuasive analysis in written and oral form.
● Written and oral assignments display strong grasp of principles, with research and
analytic
support.
● Skillful application of psychological principles to character study.
A (Superior In All Respects):
● All of the above, and written and oral presentations display exceptional analysis and
ample
external research to support the arguments.
● Exceptional ability to understand, apply and interpret principles to character study.
Concepts are communicated on an emotional and intellectual level.
● Student assumes a leadership role in class discussions and exercises, providing
stimulating
thoughts and arguments to encourage peer participation.
Course Outline:
Below are the topics for each week and the readings that are to be carefully and completely
prepared for the class date indicated. Be sure to bring the book or articles to class as well as
your notes. Schedule is subject to change. All changes will be announced in class.
Date
Topic
Art and Identity
Artist Missions and Beliefs (Manifestos).
Week 1
What is the role of the artist in society?
Grant Wood, “American Gothic”
Apple Manifesto
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 5
Assignment
Write a 500-word
manifesto (see assignment
sheet on wordpress blog).
Reading: “Manifesto: A
Manifesto,” by Julian
Hanna, The Atlantic
Artist and Audience
Marina Abramavic, “The Artist is Present”
Olafur Eliasson’s TED Talk
Write Essay on Artist and
Audience.
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Week 2
Spencer Finch
Yoko Ono, “Cut Piece”
Reading: Selected reading
from MoMA’s Design and
Violence site
Thomas Hirshhorn, “Gramski monument”
Art and Truth
Write Essay on Truth.
Met Museum Exhibit “Reality Check”
Richard Prince, “New Portraits”
Week 3
Recording of Virginia Wolff, “Words Fail Me”
Hank Willis Thomas, “The Truth Booth”
Orson Wells, “F for Fake”
Love and Art
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Reading:
The Philosophy of Andy
Warhol
Katherine Lord “The Art of
Losing,”
Pablo Neruda
Write Essay on Love and
Art.
Frida Kahlo
Week 4
Yoko Ono and John Lennon, “Bed-in”
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Felix Gonzalas-Torres, “Untitled (a portrait of Ross
in L.A.)
Reading: TBD
Niki De Saint Phalle/Soko/Aaron Rose, “Love
Letter”
Sophie Calle, “Exquisite Pain”
Week 5
Music and Art
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 6
Write Essay on Music and
Blues for Smoke Exhibit
Art.
Janet Cardiff, “40 Part Motet”
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Ragnar Kjartansson, “The Visitors” and “Woman
in E”
Reading: TBD
Candice Breitz, “Queen (A portrait of Madonna)
Workshop Artifact Essays (First Draft Due by
Friday, March 4th)
Revise Essays.
Reading: Act I, Ai Weiwei
vs. Jeff Koons, “Modern
Art was a CIA weapon”
Week 6
Art and Politics
Write Essay on Art and
Politics.
Ai Weiwei vs. Jeff Koons
Alfredo Jaar, “The Silence of Nduwayezu”
Week 7
Jenny Holzer, Art21 Video (The Truisms)
An-my Le, “Small Wars”
Due at the beginning of
next class.
No reading assignment.
Study for the midterm
exam!
Review Midterm Exam
Midterm Exam
Continue to write on Artist
and Artifact Essay.
Art and Community Field Trip
Write a response to our
field trip to art museum.
Week 8
Week 9
Continue to write on Artist
and Artifact Essay. Due at
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 7
the beginning of next class.
Art and Race
Write Essay on Art and
Race.
Artist and Artifact Essay Due
Week
10
Lorraine O’Grady, “Mlle Bourgeoise Noire”
Due at the beginning of
next class.
James Kerry Marshal, Art 21 video
Reading: TBD
Interview with Julia Lee, “Our Gang: The Racial
History of Little Rascals”
Hank Willis Thomas, “Unbranded”
Mark Bradford, “Spiderman”
Art and Gender
Allison Bectel, “The Rule”
Week
11
Alvin Baltrop, “The Piers”
Reading: Selected reading
from Rhizome.org
Art and Technology
Write Essay Art and
Technology
Jenifer Steinkamp, “Madame Curie”
Anthony Montuori, “Untitled (Blood)”
Week
13
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Tomoko Sawada, “Portraits”
Mishka Henner, “The Fields” and “Fifty-One U.S.
Military Outposts”
Week
12
Write Essay on Art and
Gender.
Review Final Project ideas
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 8
Due at the beginning of
next class.
Reading: TBD
Week
14
Due: Final Project and Presentation
Week
15
Due: Final Project and Presentation
NYFA 2016 Course Catalog 9