omen in the Literary and Visual Arts

Humanities 4413


Fall 2004


Mondays 2-4:30 pm


BH 201

 

Professors

Laura Gray (Literature)                                         Gary Moeller (Art)

Office: BH 204C                                                   Office: BH 106

Phone: 918-343-7593                                           Phone: 918-343-7744 

Email: lgray@rsu.edu                                           Email: gmoeller@rsu.edu

 

Office Hours:                                                         Office Hours:

M         12-1                                                            MW             8:30-11:30

T R      9-11                                                            R            3-4:30

W        10-12; 1-3                                           

F          11-12                                                           F            8:30-11:30; 1:30-3:30    

                                               

RSU Catalog Description

HUM 4413 Women in Literary and Visual Arts

An interdisciplinary study of the literary and artistic productions of women in Western culture. Considers relevant issues including, but not limited to, gendered productions, socio–historical contexts, and critical theory. Prerequisites: HUM 2113, HUM 2223, and ENGL 1213.

Course Introduction

In this course we will examine, discuss, analyze, and evaluate poetry, fiction, prose, and visual art forms produced by women, medieval to the present.

This course will be guided by the following considerations:

  1. What are the social, historical, economic, and psychic circumstances under which women have produced art and letters? How have these circumstances impacted what and how they produce? Have these circumstances changed throughout time, and if so, how?
  2. What methods have women used to “find voice” in art and letters? What genres have they employed? How have these genres changed through time and what can we understand about society based upon charting these changes?
  3. How has the female body impacted women’s artistic and literary productions?
  4. What audience is there for women’s art and letters?
  5. Are there such things as women’s art and letters? What are the benefits and drawbacks for studying women as a group?
  6. Where do men fit into to the production and study of women’s art and letters?
  7. What is the future for women’s art and letters? What is next?
  8. Is there a significant difference between women’s production of art and letters?
  9. ????
  10. ????

Course Objectives

Students will:

  1. Discuss, analyze, and evaluate literary and artistic works by women.
  2. Apply relevant interpretative theories to their own understanding and criticisms of women's artistic production.
  3. Interrogate "the constraints of stereotype, prejudice, ignorance, and fear" (RSU Catalog 2002-2003) that erased women artists from historical consideration.
  4. Compare the literary and visual artistic productions of women with their contemporaries and across time.
  5. Compare the literary and visual artistic productions of women as they correspond to accepted, canonical productions of privileged men.

Required Course Texts

Teaching Methods and Evaluation Instruments

Student involvement is paramount in this class. We will provide structure, guidance, some lecture materials, and will evaluate your performances, written, visual, and oral. We will look to each of you, however, to interpret and assign meaning to the assigned works, lead in classroom discussion, both formally and informally, and significantly add to the ongoing discussions at hand by introducing other works and ideas to the framework provided. For that reason, reading or viewing the assigned works is merely the starting point in your weekly preparation. You must consider how each work adds to our understanding of women in the literary and visual arts, and contribute meaningfully to the understandings we will build throughout the term.

Grade Composition

Academic Journal                                      20%

Short Critical Essays                                 20%

Active Class Participation                          20%                            

Final Project/Paper                                     40%

Standards of Achievement

            All student work will be held to the following academic criteria:

                        Accuracy of information

                        Organization and clarity of thoughts

                        Depth of critical thinking and observation

                        Satisfaction of defined requirements (deadlines, etc.)

                        Acceptable writing mechanics

                        Fidelity of work (no plagiarism, cheating, etc.)

                        Evidence of creative or innovative thinking

                        Effective cooperative learning

Grading Scale

90-100             A

80-89                             B

70-79                             C

60-69                             D

Below              F

           

Student Conduct

In order for this class to succeed, we must foster an environment conducive to free and open exchange of ideas and opinions. To ensure that each student has this opportunity, each of us must respect every student’s right to meaningfully contribute to the current discussions at hand. In this class, we will explore many sensitive topics, including gendered politics, sexuality, and religion and spirituality. At times, we may read literature and view art that may go against the sensibilities or beliefs of some students. Such is the nature of liberal education and exploration of thought. While each student is expected to contribute honestly and fully to all discussions, no overtly hostile, sexist, racist, or other xenophobic language or behavior will be tolerated.

 

Learning is a collaborative process. Each student has an important and unique role in this class and should be prepared to contribute fully throughout the semester. As this seminar meets only once a week, I expect each of you to be present at every class meeting, fully prepared to discuss the scheduled assignments. Missing two or more class meetings will severely jeopardize your performance and grade in this class. Arriving late, leaving early, sleeping in class, talking out of turn, or other disruptive behavior interferes with the learning experience of every student and, therefore, will not be tolerated.

Communications and Fine Arts Policy on Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty.  Plagiarism is representing someone else's ideas or work as your own.  To avoid plagiarism, when you use someone else's data, arguments, designs, words, ideas, project, etc., you must make it clear that the work originated with someone else by citing the source. Please review the Student Code of Responsibilities and Conduct published by Rogers State University for a full discussion of “Code of Academic Conduct” and plagiarism penalties.  A link to the “Code” is on the RSU web site. No forms of plagiarism will be tolerated in this class.

Rogers State University ADA Statement

If you have special physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities, please let  me know immediately so that your learning needs may be appropriately met.  You will need to provide documentation to the office of Student Relations, Prep. Hall 110.

Computer Writing Labs

Computers are available in the UPA, Stratton Taylor Library, and Student Support Services. Computers are available for class use in BH 205.

Closure Statement

The schedule and procedures in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Proposed Schedule of Readings and Class Discussion

 

Week 1

Introduction to class

In class writing about women and the arts

 

Week 2

But is it Art?

Intellectual Biographies Due

 

Women from the Middle Ages and Early Modern Period

 

Week 3

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

Week 4

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

Women from the Late Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

 

Week 5

Late 17th and 18th Centuries

Longman:

 

 

Chadwick:

 

Week 6

19th Century

Longman

 

Chadwick:

 

Week 7

19th Century cont.

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

Modern and Contemporary Women

 

Week 8

Modern

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

Week 9

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

 

Week 10

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

Week 11

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

           

Week 12

Longman:

 

Chadwick:

 

**Week 13

            Floating         

           

**Week 14     

            Floating

           

Weeks 15 and 16

Final Projects/ Oral Presentations 

 

**Two weeks have been set aside in the semester to allow for museum visits/trips. These may or may not fall on these weeks. We will adjust the schedule as necessary

**Prerequisites:

Hum I, Hum II, and Comp II

[This free art is a courtesy of http://www.mccannas.com]

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