INTR 307 Art and Justice (Same as ArtS 311 and Political Science 337) (Not offered 2006-2007; to be offered 2007-2008) (W)

Although Plato dismissed painters as unreliable imitators who invariably lead viewers "far from the truth," art has played an important role in the creation and transformation of political belief throughout history. This class is an interdisciplinary examination of that role, focusing especially, though not exclusively, on the problem of how the visual arts advance and hinder the pursuit of justice. Our visual materials span diverse periods, areas, media, and cultural traditions, but the primary emphasis is on recent American art, particularly public art and self- consciously political works that seek to contest prevailing institutions, norms, and social structures. By examining key aspects of contemporary art practice, we will pursue fundamental questions about art, politics, and the relationship between them. For example: How does one "read" an image and determine how it "works?" How does the specific kind of activity or creation called "art" reflect and/or shape political life, especially in a time of increasingly digital mass-media? What do images offer those seeking, exercising, or contesting political power? Are such uses inherently more manipulative than verbal arguments over policies and principles? Does art have important ways of showing us things we might not otherwise see? Can it make our political imaginations more generous? Can it bring us closer to justice? What would claiming this entail? Likely authors and artists include Arendt, Bal, Benjamin, Danto, Gran Fury, the Guerrilla Girls, Hall, Kant, Kruger, Lacy, Plato, Rockwell, Salgado, Sontag, Walker, Wodiczko, and others.
Format: seminar. Requirements: regular short written critical analyses, several hands-on visual projects, and one major, final independent project. For students counting the course towards the Art Studio major, the project must be a studio project; for those taking the course toward the Art History major, the final project must be a research paper on a body of contemporary art.
Prerequisites: at least one course in Political Theory, Philosophy, Art History, Art Studio, American Studies, or permission of instructors. Enrollment limit: 18 (expected: 18). Preference given to juniors and seniors.
Political theory subfield

DIGGS and M. REINHARDT