Art History 291 - Topics in Art History: Protest Art of the United States: Dissent and Resistance in the 20th-21st Centuries

Students may take up to two semesters of ARH 291 Topics in Art History, as long as the topics are different: This course studies protest art since the turn of the 20th century, in various social and political circumstances. Moving through social movements in the United States, we analyze work that exposes injustice, promotes equity, and activates critical consciousness. We examine works across media— banners, graffiti, monuments, murals, paintings, photographs, and posters—by well-known artists, anonymous image makers, and artist collectives. What constitutes protest art? How do we define it? Can activist and art spaces coexist? How much does visibility matter? When is it effective? What is role of social media in protest art? Enrollment limited to 18. (E)