KUN4540 ¨C Politics of Art. Modern and Contemporary Perspectives

Course content

The aim of this course is to analyze and discuss the political implications of artistic production of the 20th and 21st century. Works of art have always addressed existing political structures in society. Yet, they very often also propose specific political solutions. The course asks how art tries to intervene in political processes. It reviews how aesthetic theories and political theories are related to each other. It discusses how artistic strategies rearticulate problems of race, class and gender and reflects on how artistic production today address postcolonial and ecological perspectives.

Learning outcome

After completion of the course, you will:

• have gained a substantial overview with regards to the development of historical avant-garde strategies and their relation to the globalized art world of the present
• have an in depth understanding of the interrelation of aesthetic and political theories throughout modernity.
• be able to discuss artistic strategies in relation to intersectional theories of race, class, gender and ecology.
• be able to critically discuss current debates around art as a pedagogical tool, the aporias of aesthetic activism and participation within the field of curatorial studies and museum studies.
• be able to communicate both orally and in writing academic English.?

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with KUN2540 ¨C Politics of Art. Modern and Contemporary Perspectives.

Teaching

The course is taught in weekly 3-hour sessions (10 x 3 x 45 min).The teaching is a combination of lectures and seminars. We expect you to meet prepared for classes and to actively participate in discussions and to give a presentation on assigned topics/texts. To qualify to the final exam, you must complete these compulsory assignments:

• Compulsory attendance at class. You must attend class, at least 7 out of 10 classes.
• Oral presentation

Examination

The examination is a semester assignment.

The thesis must consist of 10 pages (each page ¨¤ 2300 characters without spaces, not including illustrations, notes, and reference).

The assignment will be handed in using Inspera. You must familiarize yourself with the login and submission procedures in timely manner before the exam. Read more about Inspera below.

When writing a semester assignment, you are entitled to individual guidance by you teacher. To be eligible for this guidance you must submit a draft of your paper that meets certain requirements. More detailed information about guidance and how to submit your draft will be given by the teacher during class or in Canvas.

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.