Art and Architecture
in New York City

DNY: Art and Architecture in New York City and Rome   Spring 2024 Global Passport

 

CRN  14365  DNY 1000C-570

Prof. Elizabeth Albert   alberte@stjohns.edu    

Wednesday 1:50 SJH 215

Office hours Wed 9:30-10:30; MR 12:00-1:00

 

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Course Description

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This course will introduce you to the visual arts as they relate to the culture and history of New York City.  Together we will examine the complex reasons behind the dramatic growth of a tiny trading out-post into one of the most powerful and influential cities in the world. We will explore a selection of our city’s great art and architecture and its interconnectedness with New York City’s cultural diversity and dynamic energy. You will have the opportunity to experience some of the world’s finest examples of painting, sculpture, architecture, and film while developing skills vital for your success in all areas of pursuit. 

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Reading Requirements (in order of assignment)

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Berger, John. Ways of Seeing. Penguin, 1990​

Gombrich, Ernst. The Story of Art. Phaidon Press, 1995

Riis, Jacob. How the Other Half Lives. Corner House, Williamstown, Mass. 1972

Van Gogh, Vincent. The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh. Ronald de Leeuw (Editor), Arnold J. Pomerans (Translator), Allen Lane, London; New York, N.Y., 1996.

Goldwater, Robert and Treves, Marco Eds., Artists on Art. Pantheon, 1945: Picasso - an Interview; Matisse - from "Notes of a Painter"; diChirico - on Metaphysical Art

Berger, John, Selected Essays, Vintage Books, 2005; Picasso; Matisse

Stiles, Kristine and Selz, Peter Eds., Contemporary Art, A Sourcebook of Artists’ Writings, University of California Press, 1996; Duchamp - "The Richard Mutt Case" and "Apropos of Readymades"

Morgan, Robert.“The Anti-Aesthetic of Dada” The Brooklyn Rail, July 2006 

Maine, Stephen. "Inside the Harlem Renaissance", Art In America, October 2008.

McDonough, Tom. "Moses in Gotham", Art in America, Volume 95, Issue 8, p.73, 9/1/2007

Public Art Reading, excerpts from the New York Times, various authors

 

Course Requirements

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• Visual Analysis Papers (600 words minimum) 10% of final grade

• Immigration/Migration Narrative (600 words minimum) 10% of final grade

• Mid-term Take Home Exam: (1000 words minimum) 20% of final grade

• Architecture Essay  (600 words minimum)10% of final grade

• Academic Service Learning Word-Image Project (digital) 10% of final grade

• Final Presentation 20% of final grade

• Active class participation* 20% of final grade

*Active participation includes attendance, punctuality, engagement in discussions, note taking, meeting deadlines

 

Course Goals

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• Demonstrate an understanding of selected aspects of New York City History

• Demonstrate an appreciation for how diversity has influenced New York  City's development

• Demonstrate an active understanding of the concept of service to those in need in the city

 

Course Objectives

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• Gain insight into the complex factors that have created today’s New York City

• Understand the impact of immigration and diversity in NYC

• Deepen tolerance and appreciation for cultural and ideological differences

• Serve the unfortunate and fulfill SJU’s mission through Academic Service Learning

• Experience NYC’s great art and architecture in person

• Develop analytical and critical thinking

• Strengthen writing skills and verbal communication

• Manage time efficiently and effectively

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Learning Outcomes

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• Students will demonstrate an ability to think critically and analytically, applying inquiry skills in multiple contexts

• Students will demonstrate the principles of civic awareness with a commitment to service and social action as embodied in the university’s mission

• Students will analyze information in terms of its authority, contextuality, relevance, accuracy, and currency to determine how useful it is in addressing course-related needs

• Students will demonstrate effective communication in multimodal composition and presentations​

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Units of Instruction

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• Analyzing Art

• Photography and Immigration

• Early Modern Art in Context

• American Voices: Harlem Renaissance through Pop Art

• Architecture: Form, Function, Context

• Public Art

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Required Materials:​

All Course content including most readings and assignments is contained on this Wix site and linked through Canvas​

 

Attendance in Classes, FBLs, Workshops

This course emphasizes in-class slide lectures and discussions, as well as field trips referred to as ‘Field Based Learning’ or FBL.  Additionally, we will have one hour workshops on a variety of topics three times per semester. Check your course schedule for those dates and times. Attendance is absolutely mandatory to achieve the highest level of success.

 

Intellectual Property Statement:

As course professor, I may make recorded sessions available to students to meet ADA, accreditation, or other needs. Under no circumstances should recordings/lectures be sold and/or otherwise transferred for someone else’s use. Students are prohibited from distributing recordings or other materials, a situation analogous to prohibiting students from recording a course with their cell phones.

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Complex Subject Matter:

Art and Architecture is a reflection of world in all its complexity. Some subjects are painful, but necessary to discuss, including colonialism, racism, sexism, human rights violations, environmental devastation. I will do my best to flag any issues that may be sensitive areas for students.

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Health Issues:

As we emerge from a global pandemic and do our best to stay healthy, there may be times when you become ill, whether physically or mentally. You may reach out to me if you require an extension on a deadline. A note from a health care professional will likely be required.

 

Assignment Requirements***

• Type your essay directly into or copy and paste into a Text Box on your WIX e-Portfolio using the 12 point “Times”, "Calibri" or similar font, single spaced with paragraph breaks.*

• Revise for clarity and quality of content and check for spelling or grammatical errors. 

• Citations must be included both inline and at the end of the project.

• Save AND Publish

• Copy and Paste your WIX link onto the dedicated Canvas assignment portal and Submit

 

* Each assignment may have specific requirements which will appear on the assignment page.

​** Received on time with the exception of an official medical excuse or special permission. 

*** Extra credit assignments available upon request.

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Grading

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Please note that grading for this course is based on the following equivalents:

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A+ = 97-100

A   = 93-96.9

A-  = 90-92.9

B+ = 87-89.9

B   = 83-86.9

B-  = 80-82.9

C+ = 77-79.9

C   = 73-76.9

C-  = 70-72.9

D+ = 67-69.9

D   = 63-66.9

D-  = 60-62.9

F    = 0-59.9

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Course Schedule*

 

1/17

Introduction and Course Overview;

Canvas/Wix 

ASL (Academic Service Learning) https://www.stjohns.edu/about/faith-and-mission/opportunities/academic-service-learning

Support Services 

Readings

HW:

Reading assignment: Berger, Ways of Seeing Chapter 1 and 2 (see "Readings" section) 

Discussion Board:

1.Post one or more paragraphs of observations from this reading

2. Comment on two other posts

 

1/24 

Class:

Analyzing Art Part 1: Terms and Definitions

HW:

Assignment: Metropolitan Museum Visual Analysis Paper due 2/7

Reading assignment: Gombrich, The Story of Art - Intro (see "Readings" section) 

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1/31

Class:

Analyzing Art Part 2: Terms and Definitions con't; Context

HW:

Assignment: Metropolitan Museum Visual Analysis Paper due 2/7

Bring lap top for next class  

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2/4 FBL: Met Museum. Meet in the museum lobby at the round information desk 1:30pm. Students leaving from campus meet our peer leader at 12:00 DAC fireplace

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2/7

Class:

Art in Context: Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism

Reading Assignment (four short readings all posted in the "Readings":

Van Gogh (any three letters - recommended: 444, 600, 687; Georgia O'Keeffe Review; Berger on Magritte; The Anti-Aesthetic of Dada.

Lab: Creating a Wix Website

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTj5z58rels

HW:

Reading Assignment 

Van Gogh (any three letters - recommended: 444, 600, 687

Assignment: Context Essay Due: 2/14

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2/14  

Class:

New Technology/New Perceptions: Dada and Surrealism 

HW:

Reading Assignment: Berger on Magritte; The Anti-Aesthetic of Dada.

Lab: Midterm Take Home Exam Assigned; DUE 3/6​

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2/17 FBL MoMA - Meet at the Museum 4pm sharp or if leaving from campus meet at DAC Fireplace at 2:30

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2/21

Class:

New Technology/New Perceptions: Bauhaus, American Realism

HW:

Work on midterm due 3/6

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2/28

Class:

New Technology/New Perceptions: Dada and Surrealism 

Lab: Research tips and Techniques

HW:

Work on midterm due 3/6

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3/6

Class: Abstract Expressionism 

Movie, "Pollock"

 

3/13

HW:

AS-L Assignment: due 3/20

https://www.stjohns.edu/about/faith-and-mission/opportunities/academic-service-learning

https://stjohns.givepulse.com/event/196538-Zooniverse

https://www.zooniverse.org/projects

https://stjohns.givepulse.com/event/196394-The-Letter-Project

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3/20​

Class:

Harlem Renaissance 

HW: 

Assignment: The State of Things  due 3/27

Watch the documentary (on Netflix): James Baldwin, I Am Not Your Negro

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3/27  

Class: canceled

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4/3 Monday Classes Meet

 

4/10

Architecture Part 1: 19th C – Skyscraper Wars;  

Read "Introduction to Architecture"

​HW: Architecture Photo Essay Due 4/17

Lab: Architecture Terms

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Watch the documentary:

https://www.amazon.com/American-Experience-New-York-Season/dp/B006CAKNA4

If you do not have access to Amazon Prime, a Zoom recording is posted on the Architecture - Landmarks page

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4/17

Architecture Part 2: Skyscraper Wars

Contemporary Skyscrapers - WTC;

Topic Choices due by 4/21

Final Project Assigned Due 5/8; Information Literacy/Research Techniques Reviewed

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4/24 Class:

Pop Art and Consumerism: What Defines Art

Public Art

HW: work on final presentation Due 5/8

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5/1     Snow/Study Day

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5/8 Final Meeting: Final Presentations Due

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*Course schedule subject to change