CULT H3701 - Themes in Contemporary Art and Culture

Module Title:Themes in Contemporary Art
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Blended and E-Learning /Lectures /Class discussion/ screenings, and class-based learning research activities. Blended learning strategies will entail the use of electronic platforms such as Blackboard to provide on- line learning materials and interactive question and answer sessions. Lectures will outline key issues, art works and themes etc. using audio visual and interactive methods as appropriate. Class discussions will encourage students to further develop their communication skills.
Module Aim: This module aims to give students an expansive understanding of contemporary art and related discourses and practices from the early 90s to the present. The module will analyze the formal, theoretical and discursive strategies which underpin and inform art practitioners through a wide and varied relationship to specific disciplines such as sculpture & expanded practices, painting, media, performance. The module develops learner knowledge of the philosophical, conceptual underpinnings of the rise of interdisciplinarity in art. Importance is placed in contextualizing contemporary Irish art in in relation to broader international currents in art. Significance is placed in expanding learner knowledge of how different art practitioners approach the exhibition of their work in multiple and complex contemporary art landscapes from gallery/museum, to off site, public locations and ephemeral exhibition approaches. Case studies also highlight an increased interest in social engagement, participation and collaborative and process orientated approaches to art engagement.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Identify and describe a variety of artists across different discoursive practices in contemporary art.
LO2 Write a clear and confident article/podcast review developing academic and critical reading and writing skills.
LO3 Formulate a critical discussion on a contemporary art topic, assembling, comparing and assessing a range of readings/podcasts to develop an in-depth discussion on the topic.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.

No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Themes in Contemporary Art
What do we mean when we say contemporary art rather than modernism or postmodernism? Site Specificity, Site as geographic location to site as discursive site of creative enquiry- Artists engagement with history both uncovering forgotten histories and social histories. Looking at how contemporary artists negotiate ideas of the monument- Artists approach to identity- gender/ sexuality/ race- How is identity constructed? Otherness and Representation, Questions of hybridity vs essentialism- New figurative painting, artists negotiating the mediated body, the performing body- Participatory practices and collaboration - How do artists make work about everyday life? Honouring the ordinary above the spectacle- Defining the Anthropocene, artists response to climate change and ecology- Contemporary responses to our relationship with other species- Artists approach to ecology, looking at both rural and urban contexts
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%
Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Multiple Choice Questions Weekly Quiz 1 10.00 n/a
Written Report Article/Video/Podcast Review (word count 500-700) 1,2 30.00 n/a
Project Develop and research a self-directed topic based on an area of the course material that connects to your own creative inquiry. ( Word count 2000.) 1,2,3 60.00 n/a
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture Every Week 2.00
Independent Learning Every Week 4.00
Total Hours 6.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_AWART_B Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Art 5 Mandatory
CW_AWART_D Bachelor of Arts in Art 5 Mandatory