Humanities Arts Cultural Stu 0229 - Social Engagement

In this film, photography and video workshop, students will use multi-media imagemaking to address their core concerns in the world. Each student will craft, execute and present a project that uses social engagement as a form of media production. Recent art movements question the superiority of the art object, the hierarchy of aesthetics over ethics and the role of the artist in social and political life. When an artist chooses to use art to engage with the society that surrounds them, practical questions arise. Who does the artist want to engage with, why and in what capacity? How do the decisions an artist makes make meaning? Who is the audience and how does the artist want the audience to experience these decisions? How can the classroom (or the studio) serve as a productive space for the artist to plot their interventions/understand their role? Together, we will review current ideas about art as a form of social change and determine how best to use the classroom as productive, discursive space.

Arts, Design, and Media Multiple Cultural Perspectives Independent Work Prerequisites: 1 intro media production course or equivalent, any introductory course in digital, visual, media, or performing arts and/or creative writing; 1 critical or cultural studies course; recommended: 1 200 level course in either the humanities or social sciences. Students are expected to spend 4 hours in preparation and work outside of class time.