Syllabus

DNY: Art and Architecture in New York City Spring 2024

CRN 14408 DNY 1000C-525

Prof. Elizabeth Albert alberte@stjohns.edu

Wednesday 10:40 SJH 211

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

Course Description

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 their success in all areas of pursuit.

Reading Requirements (in order of assignment)

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.

http://vangoghletters.org/vg/with_sketches.html

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

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 10% of final grade (600 words minimum)
Academic Service Learning Word-Image Project (digital) 10% of final grade
Final Presentation 20% of final grade
Active class participation (attendance, punctuality, discussion boards, meeting deadlines) 20% of final grade

Course Goals

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to
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

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

Learning Outcomes

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

Units of Instruction

Analyzing Art
Photography and Immigration
Modern Art in Context
American Voices: Harlem Renaissance through Pop Art
Architecture: Form, Function, Context
Public Art

Materials

All Course content including most readings and assignments is linked through Canvas

Attendance: Classes, FBLs, Workshops

This course emphasizes in-class slide lectures and discussions, as well as virtual 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.

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.

Health Notification Accommodation Statement. Students are responsible for sharing health issues directly with faculty members, including any potential effects of COVID-19. In addition to contacting Student Health Services, students are responsible for sharing any health issues with the professor, including the need to self-isolate or quarantine.

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” 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 appropriate Blackboard assignment 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.

**** Requirements for the Paris Project will be discussed during the second half of the semester.

Grading

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

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

..............................

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 2/8

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

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

2/4 FBL: Met Museum. Meet in the museum lobby at the round information desk 11:00am. Students leaving from campus meet our peer leader at 9:30 DAC fireplace

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; Georgia O'Keeffe Review;

Assignment: Context Essay Due: 2/14

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

2/17 FBL MoMA - Meet at the Museum 3pm sharp or if leaving from campus meet at DAC Fireplace at 1:30

2/21

Class:

New Technology/New Perceptions: Bauhaus, American Realism

HW:

Work on midterm due 3/6

2/28 - Spring Break - No Class

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

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

3/27

Class:

Architecture Part 1: 19th C – Skyscraper Wars;

Read "Introduction to Architecture"

Read "Definition of Architecture"

HW: Architecture Photo Essay Due 4/17

Lab: Architecture Terms

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

Post to the discussion board four questions about NYC architecture that you are curious about - use the documentary film and the two readings to inspire your questions.

4/3 Monday Classes Meet

4/10

Architecture Part 2: Skyscraper Wars

HW: Work on Architecture Photo Essay

4/17

Contemporary Skyscrapers - WTC;

Topic Choices due by 4/21

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

4/24 Class:

Pop Art and Consumerism: What Defines Art

Public Art

HW: work on final presentation Due 5/8

5/1 Snow/Study Day

5/8 Final Meeting: Final Presentations Due

*Course schedule subject to change