ART 318 Social Activism in the Visual Arts

3 hours 

Art is a powerful tool for justice. This course examines the art generated by artists in North and South America, Europe, and Africa who fight for social justice in areas as diverse as immigrant rights, feminism, and anti-war protests. Students will learn about the historical, social, and political contexts of these art movements and will analyze the art closely, learning about the aims and techniques of artists working for justice. Emphasis is placed on firsthand experiences of works of art; students will visit museums, meet protest artists as guest speakers, and create and analyze an original work of art such as a photograph or short video for their final projects.