schedule

Course Outline

PART I: GENERAL THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

January 17

Overview of the course

Readings (NOTE: assigned readings should be read before the class meetings that come after them on the course outline): W. Kandinsky (on line), "Introduction," "The Movement of the Triangle," "Spiritual Revolution," and "The Pyramid"; J. Dewey (on line), "The Live Creature"; J. Berger, chapter 1.

January 24

Some General Approaches to Art and a Sociology of Art
The Artist as "Genius" in Historical Perspective

Readings: J. Berger, chapters 5 and 6

January 31

"High Culture" and the Mass Culture Critique: The Social Origins of "High" and "Popular" Culture
Film: The Artist's Identity

Readings: Becker, chapters 1 and 9

February 7

Finish High & Popular Culture
Art Worlds and the Art/Craft Distinction
The Role of Institutions in High Culture: The Boston Brahmins, the MFA and the BSO

Readings: Becker, chapters 2 and 8

February 14

Finish The Role of Institutions
Wrap-up & Review for Exam 1

February 21

EXAM 1

February 28

Return & Go Over Exams
Art Worlds: Convention and Innovation
Circles and Networks in the Production of Culture

The case of French Impressionism
For those who would like a pretty simplistic, but helpful overview of Impressionism, click the following links: http://arthistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.impressionism.org%2F

http://arthistory.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.artchive.com%2F74nadar.htm (check out the accompanying hot links – the “critics” and “ridicule” links, e.g.)

NO CLASS MARCH 7TH -- SPRING BREAK!!!

March 14

Selection and Socialization
Art students
Readings: Becker, chapters 3 and 4;
- Peterson, "Cycles of Symbol Production"
  http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=00031224%28197504%2940%3A2%3C158%3ACISPTC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-4
- Lopes, "Innovation and Diversity"
  http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28199202%2957%3A1%3C56%3AIADITP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-O

PART II: FACTORS SHAPING THE ART WORK

(N.B. PROSPECTUS DUE )

March 21

The Impact of Market Structure
Oligopoly and artistic innovation

March 21

Market Structure, (cont'd): The popular and country music industries
Film: "The Art Market"

Readings: Becker, chapter 7

March 28

Editors and Publishers as Gatekeepers
Factors determining publication
Review for Mid-Term

Oct. 21 MID-TERM EXAM

Oct. 26-28

Return and go over exams
Art Galleries as Gatekeepers
The Abstract Expressionists
For those who would like a pretty simplistic, but helpful overview of Abstract Expressionism, & Jackson Pollock, especially, go to the following links:

http://www.biddingtons.com/content/pedigreeabstract.html
http://www.nga.gov/feature/pollock/painting1.html

(Follow the links to get an overview of his work)

Readings: Becker, chapters 5 and 11; Tom Wolfe, All

Nov. 2-4

Critics and Aestheticians
Abstract Expressionism and Art Theory
Jackson Pollock and Art Criticism

Readings: J. Berger, chapter 7

Nov. 9-11

Patronage
Past forms of patronage (a brief reprise)
Corporate Patronage and the Production of Culture
Commercial art and advertising ("publicity")
Film: "Selling the Dream"

Readings: Becker, chapter 6

Nov. 16-18

State Patronage
The National Endowment for the Arts
Arts administration
Cultural democracy vs. cultural hierarchy
State Patronage (cont'd)
Film: "Crisis in the Arts: the NEA Debate"

Readings: J. Berger, chapters 2 and 3
                    Nochlin, "... Women Artists?"
                    Tuchman & Fortin, "Fame and Misfortune" (link below)
             http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28198407%2990%3A1%3C72%3AFAMEWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U

Thanksgiving Break: No Class on 11/25

Happy Thanksgiving

Nov. 23-30

Art and Ideology
Film: "Art in Nazi Germany"
Women as subjects of art
Women as Makers of Art: "Fame and Misfortune"

as Victorian Novelists as Visual Artists

Dec. 2

Last Day of Class
- Summary and Review

FINAL PAPERS DUE December 2
Final Exam Saturday, Dec. 4, 8:00-11:00 a.m.

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