Interdisciplinary Arts 0350 - Arts, Soc Justice & Soc Change

This Division III seminar will provide a forum for Division III students working on a wide spectrum of creative projects that intersect with issues of social justice, social and political change. The seminar will be explore some new shared readings but will be structured collaboratively by participants and will explore a common selection of short readings/ viewings / activities alongside student presentations and discussion of their work. The seminar will foster interdisciplinary discussions about the very diverse creative approaches and practices that can forge new insights into questions of power, exploitation, discrimination, inertia, neglect etc. , looking at different ways creative arts can inspire attentiveness to social issues, stir understanding and longing for social change - and spark or communicate different levels of engagement in social justice issues. The readings/ viewings/ listenings will be selected in dialogue with participating students and the angles explored influenced by their concerns. The seminar is for Division III students working in any creative/art medium linked to some aspect of social awareness and transformation. It aims to foster interdisciplinary creative dialogues and insights - and will draw inspiration from visits from creative practitioners in the Valley.

In this course, students are expected to spend at least six hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This time includes selected seminar readings, occasional viewings, preparation of update summaries of ongoing own Div III work, reading/viewing and notetaking for feedback on others' Div III presentations.