Texts: Raymond Williams. Marxism and Literature.
Oxford University Press, 1977.
Jim Cullen. The Art
of Democracy. Monthly Review Press, 2002.
Purpose of the Course: The arts are examined in relation to dominant, residual, and emergent cultural formations. The processes by which certain arts are identified as "fine" and others as "popular," some as "cultured" and others as "vulgar," will be identified and discussed. Particular attention will be given to art about or produced in our region.
Course Requirements and Grading: Students are expected to attend class and do the assigned readings before each class session. The course grade will be based on a mid-term exam, a term paper or project, and a comprehensive final. The mid-term, paper or project, and final will each constitute 30% of the final grade. The remaining ten percent will be based on class participation.
The term paper should be 7-15 pages in length. The project may be a production, performance, photographic essay, collection, composition, or other artistic work. Whether the student chooses to write a paper or do a project, she should have prior approval of the instructor.
Grades are assigned as follows.
92-100 A
90-91.9 A-
88-89.9 B+
82-87.9 B
80-81.9 B-
78-79.9 C+
72-78.9 C
70-71.9 C-
68-69.9 D+
62-68.9 D
60-61.9 D-
0-59.9 F
Students are expected to know and abide by the rules of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, including the Honor Code.
Schedule
|
Class |
Topic/Assignment |
|
20 Aug |
Introduction: Concepts of Culture and Art; The Thesis of the Course |
|
22 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, Introduction-I.4 |
|
25 |
Discussion |
|
27 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, I.4 |
|
29 |
Discussion |
|
1 Sept |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, II.1-II.2 |
|
3 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, II.3-II.5 |
|
5 |
Discussion |
|
8 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, II.6-II.7 |
|
10 |
No Class |
|
12 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, II.8 |
|
15 |
Discussion |
|
17 |
Discussion |
|
19 |
Discussion |
|
22 |
Reading; Marxism and Literature, II.9-II.10 |
|
24 |
Discussion |
|
26 |
Reading; The Art of Democracy, pp. ix-86 |
|
29 |
Discussion |
|
1 Oct |
Reading; The Art of Democracy, pp. 87-134 |
|
3 |
Review |
|
13 |
Midterm Exam |
|
15 |
Reading; The Art of Democracy, pp. 135-200 |
|
17 |
Discussion |
|
20 |
Reading; The Art of Democracy, pp. 201-287 |
|
22 |
Discussion |
|
24 |
Discussion |
|
27 |
Reading: David Harvey, "Postmodernism in the city: architecture and urban design," handout |
|
29 |
Discussion |
|
31 |
Reading: David Harvey, " Monument and Myth: The Building of the Basilica of the sacred Heart," handout |
|
3 Nov |
Discussion |
| 5 | Discussion |
| 7 | Discussion |
| 10 | Reading; Marxism and Literature, III.1-III.4 |
| 12 | Discussion |
| 14 | Reading; Marxism and Literature, III.5-III.10 |
| 17 | Discussion |
| 19 | Student presentations |
| 21 | Student presentations |
| 24 | Student presentations |
| 1 Dec | Student presentations |
| 3 | Student presentations |
| 5 | Review |
Web Resources
Daguerreotypes at the Library of Congress
Interactive Guide to the World's Columbian Exposition
World's Columbian Exposition: Idea, Experience, Aftermath
Regionalism and Social Realism in the U.S.A .
Belinda Di Leo I ;Belinda Di Leo II
Malcolm J. Wilson, Up From the Mines
texas.net Museum of Art (http://lonestar.texas.net/~mharden/)