HHIS-171: Visual and Material Cultures 2

This course represents both an introduction to and interrogation of the myriad ways in which art has been historicized and theorized. Rather than presenting a historical survey, this course will offer students an opportunity to delve more deeply into key concepts, questions, and themes in the history of art within its broader social, political, and economic contexts. Though this course will necessarily engage global perspectives and themes, we will pay particular attention to the past, present, and future of art and material objects of East Asia in connection to this broader global context. Key themes will include: capitalism, labor, colonialism/decoloniality, race and racism, technology and discourses of innovation, and representation. Assignments will include brief weekly written responses to assigned readings, 3 short essays (2-3 pages), and 2 in-class presentations. Students will work with both the Writing Center and Library. Course Learning Outcomes: 1. Build a robust critical vocabulary relevant to key concepts and themes in art and/or design history, with an emphasis on decolonial and anti-racist frameworks 2. Analyze historical and theoretical texts across multiple disciplines related to design history 3. Synthesize core concepts from these disciplines to generate original ideas that engage directly with the ideas of others and communicate these in writing 4. Form a perspective on the complexity of a global art and design history, as well as media theory and visual culture, which form the arena in which their practice exists