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Violet Oakley,
June (cover illustration for "Everybody's Magazine" 6, June 1902)
PAFA Collection
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Jennifer Zwilling
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
zwilling@pobox.pafa.edu
Syllabus – Spring 2012
Wednesday
1 – 4pm
Description:
The issues surrounding women in the arts are many and various. We might even question the necessity of a course that separates this segment of the population for study based on gender. The truth is, there are no easy answers or explanations and this semester will foster lively, intelligent, thought provoking discussions. We are privileged to have the opportunity to access the preparatory stages of a museum exhibition focusing on a collection of art made by women. You will succeed in this class if you are prepared, willing to share your thoughts and respectful of the ideas of others.
Format:
- Lectures on women artists throughout western history
- Class presentation by each student on an artist (or your choice) represented in the Linda Lee Alter Collection at PAFA
- Class discussion based on readings focused on issues of women and gender roles in the history of art
- At least one fieldtrip off campus
- Meetings with PAFA museum curator – focused on Linda Lee Alter Collection at PAFA and preparations for the 2012-13 exhibition.
http://www.pafa.org/Museum/Exhibitions/Upcoming-Exhibitions/The-Linda-Lee-Alter-Collection-of-Art-by-Women/1025/
POLICIES AND GROUNDRULES:
Attendance and participation are essential to getting the most out of class and to getting a good grade. My teaching philosophy is based on the idea that we should be having lively, respectful discussions as well as learning through slide lecture and experience. I will respect your opinion and your speech, I expect you to respect mine and your peers’. Your engaged participation goes a long way toward a good grade. In that regard, I expect you to turn OFF your cell phones, etc. Silencing them is not sufficient (unless under emergency circumstances, which you can discuss with me). Texting during class is NEVER ok, it is rude and means you are not paying attention. If you are not paying attention (ie sleeping or texting) you will be marked as absent. Your brain as well as your physical being must be in the room to earn attendance credit.
Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in loss of points, an F grade for the course, and/or other penalties. Mutual respect is expected at all times, this included respect for your fellow students as well as for the teacher. Cell phones must be turned off during class.
Grade Components:
Attendance/Participation – 15%
Attendance and participation are both important factors in your grade. Any unexcused absence will count against your final grade.
#1 Paper – Choosing an Artist – 15%
Choose a work of art in the Linda Lee Alter Collection. Write a visual/formal analysis of the piece. This paper will be based mostly on your personal reaction to the visual aesthetic of the piece. Ideally the artist of this work will be the topic of your final research paper. The response paper must be 400 words.
In Class Writing – 10%
Unannounced writings in class will be based on assigned readings or in class readings
Midterm – 15%
The Midterm Exam will test visual memory and historical understanding based on class lectures, discussions, and readings. The exam will consist of several identifications of Key Works and one short-answer essay question. During lectures, the professor will identify Key Works to help you focus your study. On the exam, you will be responsible for knowing the name of the artist, the title, and date for each Key Work as well as pertinent historical information discussed in class and in assigned readings.
#2 Paper – Initial Research - 15%
This paper will be a report on the early research you have done on the artist you have chosen for your final research paper. It will consist of basic biographical and historical information as well as social context. This paper will require at least two research sources that must be cited correctly in your paper (footnotes are preferable).
Presentation on Topic for Research Paper – 15%
Each student will give a 10 minute presentation on the artist they have chosen for their research subject.
Final Research Paper – 15%
The final research paper will be the culmination of the research you have done throughout the semester on your chosen artist. It will weave together what you have already written (#1 – personal reaction to the work & #2 – biography/history/social context) with aesthetic aspects of the artist’s work as a whole, among other topics. Through this paper you will examine the whole oeuvre of the artist and attempt to understand their work within the context of their own history as well as social history and art history as a whole. The final paper should be about 2,500 words, which is roughly 10 pages double-spaced. The two earlier papers can be incorporated into the final paper, but must be included in a logical way – not just pasted in without segues.
Schedule
Week 1: January 18
Introduction & Historiography of the subject
In class reading and discussion
“Why Are There No Great Women Artists?” Linda Nochlin
Read Preface, Women, Art & Society by Whitney Chadwick (provided)
Week 2: January 25
Class Discussion based on reading
The Middle Ages
Read p.17-28, Women, Art & Society by Chadwick
Week 3: February 1
In Class Writing (graded)
In Class Writing (graded)
Meeting with Robert Cozzolino re: Linda Lee Alter Collection
Choose piece from collection for first paper
Write Paper #1 – Personal Reaction
Week 4: February 8
First Paper Due
First Paper Due
Italian Renaissance
Class Discussion based on museum visit and first paper
Week 5: February 15
Visit Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1:30pm at the Perelman Building - Zaha Hadid Exhibition
Reading to be announced and distributed
Week 6: February 22
Northern Renaissance
Class Discussion based on reading
Study for Midterm
Week 7: February 29
Midterm
Spring Break (March 7)
Reading to be announced and distributed
Week 8: March 14
18th Century Europe & Early America
Class Discussion Based on Reading
Week 9: March 21
Meeting with Robert Cozzolino
Further examination of works by chosen artist in the Lee Alter Collection
Write Paper #2 – Artist Bio, etc.
Week 10: March 28
Instead of class you will attend one of three lectures at the Art Alliance
Thursday, March 29th, 7pm - Jenni Sorkin on Post-War Ceramics: The Syracuse Annuals and the Search for Form
Thursday, April 5th, 7pm - Yarnbombing: Presentation by Jessie Hemmons, aka “ ishknits”
Wednesday, April 11th, 7pm - Digital Technology and Textiles:Presentation by artists Hitoshi and Heather Ujiie
http://philartalliance.org/programs.htm
Paper #2 Due
Read Chapter in Tanner Catalogue - Available in the Library - for discussion during gallery talk - please be sure to read well and be prepared!
Week 11: April 4
Nineteenth Century America – Gallery Talk with Anna Marley
Week 12: April 11
Early Twentieth Century
Class discussion based on reading
Week 13: April 18
Writing Workshop with Jennifer
Each Student will meet with me to discuss the edits of their first two papers and how they plan to structure the final research paper.
Reading to be announced and distributed
Week 14: April 25
Student Presentations
Week 15: May 2
Student Presentations
Final Class discussion based on reading
