Since its inception in 1839, claims for photography's status as art have been made largely in terms of its imitation, extension, or rejection of painting. Beginning in the 1960s, this relationship changed as artists began to exploit photography's conceptual, performative, and even sculptural properties. To come to terms with photography's new position in the art world, the class will critically consider the role of photography in contemporary art making practices from the 1960s onwards. As part of our course discussions and readings, we will focus on artists who have used photography to examine issues surrounding the body, memory, the landscape, history, the nature of representation, and media culture, among others. As part of the class, we will also consider the extent to which developments in feminism, multiculturalism, and critical theory have influenced these investigations. Since the course is designed to coincide with an exhibition of contemporary photography at the Williams College Museum of Art, students will have the opportunity to work within a museum as well as a classroom setting. Format: seminar. Evaluation will be based on a class presentation, two short papers that will be developed into a final research paper, and class participation. Prerequisites: ArtH 101-102 or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 12). Preference given to Art History majors.

Hour: DUGANNE