Introductory description

This module intends to provide students with an overview of how the disruptions of modernity have been interpreted and have developed in artistic practices across the world, from the early twentieth century to the present. The module will focus on artworks and artistic movements that developed alongside or against important historical events. Through themes such as primitivism and the Pacific, modernism and the cold war, the globalisation of the art world, and the role of participation and political protest in contemporary art, we will explore the place of geopolitics and cultural histories within pivotal artistic movements of modern and contemporary art.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Modernism in Europe: Breaking boundaries
Imagining oneself and others: Primitivism and the Pacific
Imagining oneself and others: Orientalism and the Maghreb
Modernism and Feminism during the Cold War
Art and War From Weimar to Vietnam to the Congo
Art and War: Imperial War Museum visit
Art and Globalisation
Art and Globalisation: 1989 and after
Participation: Art and community
Activism? Deception? Contemporary art as intervention

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Discuss the global variety of modern art practices since the early twentieth century.
• Examine the links between visual culture and shifting political climates from the early twentieth century to the present.
• Appraise cultural theories of modernism, Primitivism, postcolonialism, globalisation, and participation.
• Compare different historical relationships between art and conflict.
• Question the idea of disruption in modern and contemporary artworks through formal, theoretical, and historical analysis.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

• Discuss the global variety of modern art practices since the early twentieth century • Examine the links between visual culture and shifting political climates from the early twentieth century to the present • Appraise cultural theories of modernism, Primitivism, postcolonialism, globalisation, and participation • Compare different historical relationships between art and conflict • Question the idea of disruption in modern and contemporary artworks through formal, theoretical, and historical analysis

Transferable skills

• present and argument, initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
• ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument at an appropriate level
• familiarity with essential ICT skills
• ability to collaborate effectively with others
• show understanding of diverse viewpoints
• ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
• ability to formulate a sustained argument
• think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
• demonstrate bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
• employ conceptual and visual analysis
• demonstrate critical understanding of cultural artefacts in their context