Academic Catalogs

ART A102: Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art History

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 12/06/2017
Top Code 100100 - Fine Arts, General
Units 3 Total Units 
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 0
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee Yes
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)
  • OC Humanities - AA (OC1)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)
  • OCC Arts - AS (OSC1)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 3A Arts (3A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 3A Arts (3A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU C1 Arts (C1)

Course Description

This course provides an overview of modern and contemporary art and architecture from the late 19th century to the present. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Analyze an artwork in terms of the elements and principles of design
  2. Identify the religious, sociopolitical, cultural and environmental factors that have influenced the development of the arts
  3. Differentiate major art movements, styles, and artists

Course Objectives

  • 1. Identify representative works of art and architecture from the art historical periods covered in this course
  • 2. Analyze, interpret, and compare works of art and architecture from the art historical periods covered in this course
  • 3. Discuss works of art and architecture employing appropriate art historical terminology
  • 4. Analyze and differentiate works of art and architecture in relationship to their historical context
  • 5. Analyze and differentiate works of art and architecture in terms of the cultural values they represent
  • 6. Assess and compare the roles of art and architecture from the art historical periods covered in this course
  • 7. Assess and compare the roles of the artist from the art historical periods covered in this course
  • 8. Demonstrate increased awareness of cultural diversity

Lecture Content

This course covers art and architecture of the major modern and contemporary movements from the late 19th century to the present, including: 19th-Century Origins of Modern Art Fauvism Cubism Futurism German and Austrian Expressionism Suprematism Constructivism Dada De Stijl Surrealism Modern Art in Mexico Modern Art in the US Harlem Renaissance Works Progress Administration Abstract Expressionism Gutai - Japan Neo-concrete - Brazil Neo-Dada Pop Minimalism Feminist Art Conceptual Art Performance Art Earth Art Site-specificity Post-Modernism Identity Politics Installation Relational Aesthetics Globalization

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Instructional techniques will include lectures, multi-media presentations, discussions, and field trips.

Reading Assignments

Students will be given readings from the most appropriate texts as determined by the instructor. Students will be expected to do approximately two hours of reading per week.

Writing Assignments

Students will be expected to spend an average of one hour per week on writing assignments. Writing assignments will be determined by individual instructors and may include papers focused on response, image analysis, compare and contrast, and research.

Out-of-class Assignments

Out-of-class assignments will amount to an average of three hours per week and will be determined by individual instructors. Assignments may include worksheets, individual and group projects, field trips, and studying for quizzes and exams.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Written assignments, which may include worksheets, museum responses, research essays and/or comparison essays Assignments demonstrating image analysis and/or comparison Large and small group discussion

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Written assignments, which may include worksheets, museum responses, research essays and/or comparison essays

Eligible Disciplines

Art history: Masters degree in art history, history of art and architecture, or visual culture/visual studies OR bachelors degree in art history and masters degree in history OR masters degree in art with a recorded emphasis or concentration in art history OR the equivalent. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Smith, T.. Contemporary Art: World Currents, 1 ed. New York: Pearson, 2011 2. Required Arnason, H.H., Mansfield, E.C.. History of Modern Art, 7 ed. New York: Pearson, 2012 3. Required Foster, H., Krauss, K., Bois, Y., Buchloh, B., Joselit, D.. Art Since 1900 (Vols. 1 2), 2 ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, 2011

Other Resources

1. Instructors may assign up-to-date online resources including documentaries, museum collection websites, interactive exhibition websites, etc.