Syllabus

DNY: Art and Architecture in New York City Spring 2020

CRN 11860 HON 1000C 536

Prof. Elizabeth Albert alberte@stjohns.edu

Wednesday 1:50 - 3:40 SJU 211

Office Hours: TF 11:00-12:00pm, 3:30-4:30; W 9:30-10:30am or by appointment

Office Location: SJH B-3A-9

Course Description

This course will introduce the student 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. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy first hand 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)

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 (2-3 pages) 10% of final grade
Immigration/Migration Narrative (2-3 pages) 10% of final grade
Mid-term Exam: Compare/Contrast Paper (3-5 pages) 20% of final grade
Architecture Essay 10% of final grade
Academic Service Learning Word-Image Project (digital) 10% of final grade
Final Presentation 20% of final grade
Active class participation (attendance, punctuality, 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

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 Blackboard

direct url is https://elizabetalbert.wixsite.com/dnyart-architecture

Museum Admission: on occasion students will be required to pay for museum admission.

Metrocards for travel by public transportation will be provided at no charge.

Attendance: Classes, FBLs, Workshops

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

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

1/22

Introduction and Course Overview;

Blackboard/Wix

ASL (Academic Service Learning)

Support Services

Readings

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

1/29

Analyzing Art Part 1: Terms and Definitions

Assignment #1: Metropolitan Museum Visual Analysis Paper due 2/12

FBL: Met Museum

Bring lap top for next class

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

2/5

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

Workshop: e-Portfolios

2/12

Immigration/Migration –Jacob Riis Reading; Photography

Assignment #2: Immigration/Migration Narrative due 2/19

2/16: Group FBL - The Tenement Museum

2/19

New Technology/New Perceptions:New York/Paris:

Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism

Reading Assignment:

Van Gogh (any three letters - recommended: 444, 600, 687; Berger on Matisse, Picasso

2/26

New Technology/New Perceptions: Dada and Surrealism

Workshop: Midterm Take Home Exam Assigned; DUE 3/11

2/28 (Friday) FBL MoMA

3/2-3/7 - Spring Break

THE FOLLOWING WILL BE UPDATED WEEKLY

3/18

Harlem Renaissance

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/13844907/

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight

Watch the documentary:

https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/i-am-not-your-negro

HW: Assignment #3 The State of Things due 3/25

3/25

Architecture Part 1: 19th C – Skyscraper Wars;

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/13923998/

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight

Assignment #4: Architecture Photo Essay due 4/1

Read "Introduction to Architecture"

Read "Definition of Architecture"

Watch the documentary:

https://stjohns.kanopy.com/video/cosmopolis

4/1

Architecture Part 2: Skyscraper Wars

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/14006643

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight tomorrow (Thursday)

Assignment #5 Dream House due 4/8

Watch: TBA

4/8

Architecture Part 3: Contemporary Skyscrapers - WTC;

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/14086667/

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight tomorrow (Thursday)

Final Project Assigned; Information Literacy/Research Techniques Reviewed

Topic Choices due by 4/15

4/22

Pop Art and Consumerism: What Defines Art

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/14245974/

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight Tomorrow (Thurs)

4/29

Public Art

https://stjohns.voicethread.com/share/14323672/

Voice Thread Comments due by Midnight Tomorrow (Thurs)

5/6 - 5/13 Final Presentations*

*Submit Final Presentations any time between these two dates, but absolutely no later than 5/13