Acts of Resistance Spring 2020: Syllabus

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Syllabus

Acts of Resistance: Activists, Interlopers and Pranksters

Spring 2020

Wednesdays 9:55am-12:35pm

Prof. Doris Cacoilo

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a course about media subversives: people working outside of mainstream media institutions who nonetheless find creative and provocative ways to use the media for cultural, political, and/or economic critique and resistance. Over the course of the semester, we will examine a range of "alternative" media phenomena.

This is a general education course that is paired with the course, DIY + Making.

Activists + Interlopers + Pranksters will engage social analysis and cultural critique to examine and reflect on the media influences that effect (or distort) and inform (or misinform) our communities and culture. This course places value on being meta-aware of the relationship between culture and creative production within communities, as well as the necessity of being socially conscientious citizens.

This course uses culture studies and social analysis to investigate the myriad ways in which individuals, groups and subcultures use creative productions to perform and manifest ‘acts of resistance’ against the hegemony of western Eurocentric culture, dominant societal institutions, and class/power structures. The course will examine the American consumer culture and unpack the influence capitalism can have on communities and the production of culture and sub-culture.

The goal of this course will not be simply to romanticize "outlaws", nor will it merely condemn them as criminals or troublemakers. Instead, it will focus on how and why such figures struggle against the global "media monopoly" so that students might come to a richer understanding of the nature of the media's considerable political and cultural power, and the ways that ordinary people can engage with powerful cultural institutions as active participants, innovative creators, and powerful critics.

This course encourages a broader consideration of citizenship by thinking critically about the relationship of images, values and ideals in a highly complex visual world. Conscientious citizenship is also honed by examining cultural forces and the effect they have on personal and social values and ideals. Students will think critically and complexly about issues of media, culture, politics, and how creative productions can influence these.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Our class time will be split between discussion, lecture, and presentations. While in discussion please be respectful of the opinions of others even if they stand diametrically opposed to your own. You must be in class ON TIME and prepared for class each week. Failure to do so will be reflected in your participation grade. Failure to do so consistently can lead to failure in the course.

READINGS Various weekly reading assignments will be assigned from your required texts and linked on the blog. The full reading schedule will be distributed on the class blog. Readings are due each week. All readings are REQUIRED unless otherwise stated.

REQUIRED TEXTS

Seeing Power: Art and Activism in the 21st Century by Nato Thomson, Melville House Publishing, Brooklyn 2015

The Interventionists: Users’ Manual for the Creative Disruption of Everyday Lives edited by Nato Thomson and Gregory Sholette, MIT Press, Cambridge 2004

Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls by the Guerrilla Girls, HarperCollins, New York 1995

Additional readings on Blackboard http://blackboard.njcu.edu/ and linked online.

CLASS PARTICIPATION Attendance and participation in the class discussion when appropriate and in critique and comments on the blog and twitter is part of your participation grade. For each week’s readings you must select two quotes or passages from the readings and write a brief reaction to each quote (1-2 sentences). Some weeks you will also be asked to select a specific art project that strikes you from that week’s readings. You must briefly describe the project, the context and the artist/collective/collaboration that created the project or work and why you responded to it. I will often collect these. Please have them written or typed on a sheet of paper you can hand to me with your name on it each week. I will call on students each week during discussion to read and discuss these quotes. You must have these prepared for each reading.

TWITTER *(Extra credit +2pts) You must create a twitter account (if you do not have one already) we will share links and comments with each other using the class hashtag #actsofresistanceAIP

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS You must consult the class blog weekly (even several times per week) to check for announcements, readings and to post your writing assignments. The blog is crucial to the course and completion of the requirements. You MUST have access to the blog to complete assignments, readings, post work and comment on students’ posts. All writing assignments will be published to the blog.

CLASS PRESENTATIONS Students will present in groups the work of an artist from the readings or students can choose to present the work of an artist collective that creates specifically activist artwork. Presentations must be between 10-15 minutes maximum and should include a performance that explains or connects to the work of the artist(s) and ends with a short discussion/interaction with the class. Students will present once throughout the semester. This schedule will be determined in class. Presentations will be entirely collaborative, all students must participate equally and will receive just one grade per group.

SEMESTER PROJECT

Mapping Social/Cultural Hot Topics and Interventions: Art, Movements and Civic Action

The goal of this assignment is to get you to take a stand on a significant issue related to the course material and then to highlight and support a past or current act of resistance. In order to be a conscientious participant in community and society, one must attend the current events and important social/political struggles of current times. Race relations, gender equality, social justice, health care, reproductive rights, privacy, corporate regulation, marriage equality, religious tolerance, LGBT rights, etc. are all examples of issues citizens have engaged in acts of opposition and resistance, using any number of creative strategies.

From the database of current events and social issues that we have been discussing during the course, choose an issue, artist, movement or citizen action that exemplifies an act of resistance as we have outlined throughout the semester. Using one (or more) of the readings and resources we have used as a way to make a critical argument, create a writing project that encourages or supports the artist or movement and presents their work to a larger audience. Make a case for why this act of resistance is important, timely and worth engaging in and promoting. Be sure to research extensively and thoughtfully in choosing and supporting your artist or movement. Be sure that your project coincides with your own political motivations, ideas and your professional ambitions.

Consider and research extensively and thoughtfully the history and development of the issue you have chosen. The themes and topics of the course have had a recurring history of friction within America’s culture and institutions.You will need to describe and explain the strategies that have been used and are now being used to engage this issue currently and explain how the example you have chosen to highlight fits into the larger issue. The writing project can take the form of an online article, an essay, a blog, a website, tumblr, or even a podcast. Students can present ideas outside of this list if they would like to propose other ways of presenting their writing for this assignment. All students will propose their final projects at midterm and must have their project topic approved by the professor.

In addition to the writing project, each student will do an oral presentation, with visual support materials that summarizes your project. Be prepared to facilitate a discussion with your peers by preparing questions that will be topics of discussion.

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is mandatory. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class, and will be considered when determining the final course grade. Absences affect your participation grade. More than four (4) unexcused absences will result in an 'F' (failure) for the class. No exceptions. Class begins on time, so you must be punctual. Lateness, leaving early or leaving class unexcused for an extended period of time will also be recorded. Two of these instances will count as one absence. You must bring documentation to class and hand in to me for any absences to be excused.

You are required to make up any and all work that is missed if you are absent. Notify the professor if you will be absent. As work will not be accepted late, please contact the professor to hand in work on time. It is your responsibility to get any missed work or notes from other students in the class and to discuss any problems or questions you have with the professor.

GRADING

Attendance is mandatory and all assignments must be finished and handed in on time to receive a passing grade for this course.

40% semester project

30% 3 blog posts

10% group presentation

20% attendance/participation (Contributions to class discussion, on the class blog + attendance)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will:

1. Develop an objective understanding of visual communication practices.

2. Value judging, appropriation, and cooperation as strategies for creative problem solving.

3. Correlate the role of information and visual design to cultural production as a means of mass influence.

4. Interpret the difference between cliché and archetype, cultural construct and stereotype, representation and signification.

5. Create alternative strategies for cultural interactions as a means to disrupt common interpretations.

6. Integrate social and empirical research into projects.

7. Consider creative problem solving as a way to invent solutions to real world problems.

8. Engage substantially with a significant social, cultural, and/or political issue.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

You are not to risk the health or safety of yourself or any of the other people in the Art department. To ensure safety strictly follow all safety procedures explained to you as well as the New Jersey City University regulations. If you have any concerns or questions or are ever unclear about proper safety and health procedures, then ask the instructor or appropriate authority.

If you feel you have any special concerns or problems that you would like to address please feel free to bring them to my attention. If there are any health concerns, either physical or psychological, that may affect your ability to fully participate in the class or complete assignments I am available to discuss possible solutions or address any of your concerns. If you have health or disability concerns that you would like to address but do not feel it is appropriate to discuss them with me there are services on campus available to address your concerns; contact Student/Health Services (Vodra Hall, Suite 107, 201-200-3456), the Art Department Office, or feel free to see me for contact info.

CLASS SCHEDULE

ALL READINGS AND ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE SPECIFIED WEEKLY IN CLASS AND ON THE CLASS BLOG It is the student’s responsibility to check the blog each week for required readings and assignments. All readings can be found in the required texts, online (linked from the blog) or on Blackboard.

If you ever have questions or concerns about the schedule, due dates, changes or anything else please ask me after class or e-mail me: dcacoilo@njcu.edu

Class Discussion Topic	Readings/Assignments due
1/22 Introduction to Acts of Resistance Introduction of the course syllabus, class blog and themes
1/29 Identity, Self and Media messages	Mini Post due on the blog John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch7 (ON BLACKBOARD) and Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography (linked from the blog)
2/5 Intervention - Images, Identity and Power	See blog for readings due. bell hooks Understanding Patriarchy (ON BLACKBOARD)
2/12 Activism, Power, Consumption, Art	Introduction to Seeing Power and Anarchy in the Ruins pg 143-146 and Encyclopedia Entries pg 147-154 Interventionists
2/19 Collective - What to make, the didactic	Chapter 1 and 2 pg 3-54 Seeing Power Chapter 4 The Experimental University pg 111-132 Interventionists
2/26 Intervention - Rethinking individual space and power for public discourse	Post 1 Due (gallery response) Chapter 1 Nomads pgs. 25-60 Interventionists Group 1 presents
3/4 The Guerrilla Girls	Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls pgs 7-95 (the whole book) Group 2 presents
3/11 SPRING BREAK	Prepare for Midterm Presentations/Proposals
3/18 ONLINE Session	STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
3/25 ONLINE Session	Project proposals due on the blog and video presentations of the proposal posted by 3/25 STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
4/1 ONLINE Session	Optional reading: Chapter 3 Ready to Wear pgs 97-108 Interventionists Chapter 5 and 6 Seeing Power in Spaces pg 107-146 Seeing Power STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
4/8 ONLINE Session	Optional reading: Chapter 4 Seeing Through the Haze of Social and Cultural Capital pg 83-106 Seeing Power STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
4/15 ONLINE Session	Optional reading: Chapter 2 Reclaiming the Streets pg. 63-94 Interventionists Chapter 3 Infrastructures of Resonance pg 55-82 Seeing Power All remaining Group Presentations due on the blog (groups 3, 4 +5) STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
4/22 ONLINE Session	Chapter 7 Occupying Space 147-164 Seeing Power Work on your final projects. STAY HOME!! Stay safe!
4/29 ONLINE Session FINAL PROJECTS DUE ON THE BLOG	All projects must be posted to and linked from the class blog on 4/28 before 11pm. ZOOM PARTY!! All students must attend :)
5/6 READING DAY - NO CLASSES	STAY HOME!! STAY HOME!!

2 comments:

Isabelle CleophatApril 21, 2020 at 1:29 PM
https://prezi.com/p/ty3alinogpyb/present=1

Hi professor Cacoilo This is Isabelle This is new link to my Prezi Presentation
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Isabelle CleophatApril 22, 2020 at 1:04 PM
https://www.instagram.com/ptsd_support_group/ Hi Professor Cacoilo This Is Isabelle This is my Instagram page link on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
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Please join us for our class session TODAY on 4/29 at 10am

https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/6e98b4145b764a5ba6a4860d2f0b594a

++++IMPORTANT!!!CLASS STARTS at 10 am on 4/22 and 4/29

FINAL PROJECTS due 4/22:

Your art and activism projects must use the methods and ideas we earned in class of engaging an audience to raise awareness about your chosen topic. Your projects must live in the world outside of our class and be available to an audience.

For your final you must create a written post about your project and present the project in a brief presentation "pitch" to the class in our online session.

WRITTEN POST ~700 words, 3 quotes from the class readings, 5 inspirational artists/projects and 10resources that informed the project.

Create a written POST for your final project on the class blog that explains your project and includes a link (embedded) to the project. Due to our social isolation and lockdown, engagement is likely virtual. In the event your project does not exist virtually and cannot be linked. Explain how an audience can access it.

Prepare a succinct and exciting summary of the project that is clear and makes the class want to look further at your project and potentially share the project, promote it and even get involved. You must connect your project to the class readings and include 3 quotes from the class readings with citations. Explain how these ideas connect to or inspired your project.

In your writing summary please be sure to answer:

*What is your project? Why you have chosen this topic and form of outreach?

*What is your message for the audience? How did you reach an audience (ie "publish" the project)? How did the audience engage with the project? What feedback have you received?

*How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio?

*What artists or other projects have influenced or inspired your own project? List 5+ artists that connect with your project with brief explanations of why they connect or inspired your own project.

*List 10+ resources that informed or inspired your project in a resource list at the end of your project summary.

(ONLINE) CLASS PRESENTATION Be prepared to present your projects to the class in ~3 minute presentations in our online session. Visuals are a must. You will use the post your create to present to the class. Feel free to post many images to your post and the link to your project so we can open your project as you explain it. For those who create videos, you can choose what section of videos you will play (if longer than 3 minutes) to try to stick to the 3min time limit. You may choose to create a slide presentation to better explain your project during your presentation. These should be short and must also be online and linked from the final project post. Remember you are ”pitching” the project to the class. Prepare a clear and exciting presentation. Practice what you will say!

+++++Final Project posts must be completed and posted to the blog by 11:59 on 4/22 to receive full credit.+++++

15 minute meeting with the professor If you have not already had a one-on-one meeting with the professor, you must schedule one by 4/20. This is mandatory.

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Due Wednesday 4/15

Art, Activism and Pandemic -- Optional (+5% extra credit) *Due 4/29 on the blog

We are living through a historic global pandemic. It is important to be safe and well and do our part to help in any way that we are able. It may also be helpful to reflect on ourselves, our society, our culture and use this time to think about how we can and will do better after this time.

Draw on your your writing in your journals, on our class readings, and on the research for your semester project. How has this crisis allowed you to reflect on art and activism in a new way? Chose 2-3 artists, projects or artist collectives that have inspired or feel connected to your project and that help reflect on the current crisis. Choose at least one artist from our book. How does this artwork feel connected or helpful in the present? How have the artists used their artwork to create advocacy, critique and awareness? What is the message? How does the work address an audience? Describe the artists and artwork and why it inspires you. How do these works help inspire you project and your own journey through this pandemic? Connect to the readings by citing at least two quotes that connect to your analysis.

~600 words, 2+ quotes from the readings, 2+ images (with captions) and works cited at bottom.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS due on the blog on or before 4/15 as video or audio/slide presentations. Groups 3,4+5 will present - IN THE ONLINE CLASS SESSION- on 4/15. You must attend the session to receive credit with your group! You can also choose to present live in class. Only one person in the group can present slides or video from their computer but others can also speak during this display.

Keep a journal (daily or almost daily) of your thoughts feelings and the news you are collecting. Write about your project too. It will help you focus and develop your ideas as you do your research too. I am also doing this!

Give feedback to each other on the projects by leaving comments on blog posts (please comment on at least two student projects...go back further in the blog feed to make sure you see all of the projects.) Be generous with your time if you can! Do more than two if you have the time. You will be surprised how it will help you with your own ideas too!

______________________

Due Wednesday 4/8

Link to the online class session 4/8 at 11am in BB: https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/9fb508e2206b42cc997360e1bddedb91

HAND IN YOUR MIDTERM PROPOSAL (and video presentations) IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO - you are in danger of receiving a failing grade for the course if I do not receive a midterm proposal by 4/8 - posted on the blog! See details in previous messages below.

15min MEETING with Professor: Make an appointment with me (4/8or 4/11) using the Calendly app link https://calendly.com/dcacoilo/30min?month=2020-04 This is required.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS due on the blog on or before 4/15 as video or audio/slide presentations. Groups 3,4+5 will present - IN THE ONLINE CLASS SESSION- on 4/15. You must attend the session to receive credit with your group! You can also choose to present live in class. Only one person in the group can present slides or video from their computer but others can also speak during this display.

READINGS:

Chapter 3 Ready to Wear pgs 97-108 Interventionists

Chapter 4 Seeing Through the Haze of Social and Cultural Capital pg 83-106

2 quotes for each chapter

Watch videos linked below (from 4/1) if you have not already!

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LIST OF NEWS SOURCES - read, listen, watch reputable journalistic sources. See this list, send me things to add and explore new places to get reputable news -- you may be surprised what new habits you may form that are helpful.

Update on 3/25:

I made some clarifications and adjustments on requirements for the course - see below for the main points and what is due to successfully pass the course.

Thank you to all the students who attended the online session. It is so comforting to hear and "see" all of you. I feel empowered by your projects and cannot wait to see how these unfold. You are all inspiring! Stay strong, do the research and stay safe! :)

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For this week -- Due 4/1:

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Email me at dcacoilo ((at)) gmail ((dot)) com to schedule a 15min phone call/video chat about your project sometime in the coming week.

WATCH these videos this week to help you think about activism in this moment:

5 Things Art Taught Me About Activism | Kyle 'Guante' Tran Myhre | TEDxUMN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Zex8K6h_jk&t=23s

Art is a weapon for social change: Dr. Tammy L. Brown at TEDxXavierUniversity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o6kbRBFLdI

Marina Abromovic

2012 at MoMA The Artist is Present

https://vimeo.com/72711715

--- more Videos of conceptual/performance art that might help you push into slightly more conceptual performance activist space:

Marina Abramovic

what is performance art?

http://www.youtube.com/user/MoMAvideos#p/search/3/FcyYynulogY

body as medium

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUrwdqwzqMU&feature=relmfu

Trailer for documentary, Artist is Present

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcmcEZxdlv4

Yoko Ono

short from PBS The Art Assignment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoU0E_ab36Q

her performance “Cut Piece” with commentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYJ3dPwa2tI

Adrian Piper

Video about her piece Mythic Being 1973

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bly5tUZI1I

Her project Calling Card 1986

http://www.grandarts.com/past_projects/2009/2009_11_05.html

HIGHLY RECOMMEND WATCHING THIS ONE!!

a really awesome student project about Adrian Piper's earlier work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKPtKrKvXyo&t=288s

(Optional) Readings:

Chapter 3 Ready to Wear pgs 97-108 Interventionists

Chapter 5 and 6 Seeing Power in Spaces pg 107-146

Seeing Power

STAY SAFE! STAY HOME!! Reach out to me if you need.

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REQUIREMENTS TO PASS THE COURSE

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-Midterm: Complete the project proposal and video presentation for Midterm -- Give each other feedback in comments on the midterm proposals or video posts

BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT 3/25

-Final project: Work as hard and as thoughtfully as possible to create a final project that is meaningful to you and you are proud of and want to share.

-Keep a private journal (daily or almost daily) of your thoughts, feelings and the news you are collecting. Write about your project too. It will help you focus and develop your ideas as you do your research too. I am also doing this! You CAN SHARE some it on the blog or on our twitter handle but it is absolutely NOT REQUIRED.

-Group presentations: work together offline to create a "performance" that can be shared on the blog. You can record a zoom session, use Google docs, etc

No more additional writing assignments (posts) due You will be writing in your journal and you must post a writing summary with your final project but posts 2 and 3 (essays) have been cancelled.

-Participation grade (extra)

++Attend the video sessions weekly

++Twitter: share articles, information and updates on Twitter #actsofresistanceAIP (extra credit)

++Watch the videos that I post and use the books and the readings on the syllabus to help shape your project. Readings are highly encouraged to help your project but are no longer mandatory. Keep up if you can though it will help shape you projects.

See adjusted syllabus

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Update 3/18 2pm

Thank you all who attended the classroom meeting on Blackboard. It felt really good to see you all and hear from many of you. We will continue to use Blackboard for the meetings and will work out other details as we go. Keep checking here for updates.

LIST OF NEWS SOURCES

Stay informed of the developing news!! Spend time reading reputable sources as much as possible. Do not fall into social media circles that may be full of misinformation and less important or outright false stories. Be mindful of your media diet. I am working on a list of sources. Please click to see what I have already shared Please comment on the post or email me to add sources or to comment with questions or other thoughts. The important thing to remember is to read trusted journalism as much as possible as these sources will present facts over agenda or misinformation as their mission.

Midterms proposals are due on the blog asap and no later that next Wednesday by 10am. See below for the details that were posted for that assignment. For the presentation portion of the midterm - please upload a 2-3 minute video OF YOU presenting your idea (as you would present in class). The benefit to the video is you can edit, practice and even use visuals and props. None of this is necessary however, just record a video of you presenting your idea for your semester project. You can ask questions and for advice too.

Semester projects will be due on the blog at the end of the semester. We will speak more about this next week. Please adjust your projects to match the times we are living in. Stay flexible but use this opportunity to make something meaningful about what we are experiencing.

Groups that have not presented yet will work collaboratively online to create something and post to the blog. Please make a plan to meet online/email/group chat to discuss how you can create something as a group without meeting in person. Suggestions include using a shared google slide presentation or working together to edit a video. be practical but creative.

Remaining writing assignments I would like everyone to begin journaling about what is going on. Write down your experience, your feelings and what is happening day-to-day as much as you can. There is no form to this exercise, write whatever you want. Reflect on the crisis, the stress, fears and concerns, memories and epiphanies as well as hopes and solutions you imagine that may come from this moment.

First questions to consider as part of your journal this week: What sort of things have come to light in this crisis about our society that you feel were treated as less urgent before? Are you hopeful? What are you hopeful will change for the better from this crisis?

Weekly readings I will be posting readings and videos (adjusting the syllabus somewhat) to keep us learning from artists and activists. I encourage you to read and watch as much as possible to contribute to discussion and hopefully it can help us process what is going on from different historic perspectives. Keep your semester project in mind each week and work to create something informed and useful for you in these times.

Grades more grades will be posted to Blackboard in the coming days. ie Group presentations that have already happened and the museum writing assignment.

I am wishing the best for all of you. Check back here for more info as the days unfold. Be safe and isolate as much as is possible. Prepare for longer and stricter isolation that may be required soon. Hand washing and distancing work. Be vigilant, be compassionate and kind to yourself and others. SEE YOU IN ONLINE CLASS NEXT WEDNESDAY at 11am!

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Update 3/17

Wednesday 3/18 class will be held on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra at 11am. Please attend! If you have technical issues or other reasons why you cannot attend (of course there are many) please send me an email at:

dcacoilo [[at]] gmail [[dot]] com

DIRECTIONS: Log on to Blackboard. Inside of our course page go to "Course Tools" in the left side menu and select Blackboard Collaborate Ultra. Then join our class session called "Acts of Resistance first online class meeting" turn on audio and video (if you are comfortable with that). This will be our first meeting so we can catch up and check-in. We will be working together to figure out the tech. Please try to attend!

I hope that you are all well and finding safety and support during this time. I look forward to connecting with all of you tomorrow and brainstorming ways we can help each other.

UPDATE: COVID-19 has required self quarantining as much as possible. If you can please stay home! Unless you must go out for work or other absolutely necessary reasons - do not go out!

Stay home. Take hygiene measures seriously, restrict contact with everyone. This virus is here and it is real. Take extreme caution and be safe. Distancing yourself from others will save lives.

As for class: I am planning for ways that we can finish the semester under these new circumstances. We will still watch videos and learn from the work of artists to inspire our own explorations of activism and art. My hope is that we can still use this time of crisis however possible to learn about art and hopefully it will help us find some meaning in all of this chaos. First and foremost take take of yourselves and your families.

Keep checking the blog for updates. I will be communicating with you via the blog. Check frequently.

______________________

Due Wednesday 3/18

MIDTERMS proposals NOW DUE 3/25

-Presentations WILL NOW BE SUBMITTED AS VIDEOS ON THE BLOG 3minutes We will discuss this in the online class tomorrow.

-Proposals (800words plus a resources/research list) must be posted to the blog before 3/25

-Proposals must also be summarized (somewhat streamlined for the web) with some images/sketches and link to any powerpoint and posted on the blog

Many of you have lots to research and many decisions to make. Please research your topic, look at many examples of other things made to address this topic: movies, websites, books, articles. Find as much as you can in order to help you carve out exactly what you want to make your project about and How you will share this information with your audience.. FOCUS your idea as much as possible. Think carefully about why YOU want to make this project, who are you making it for (your audience or perceived audience), what is the message or purpose, what other art or activism projects exist that might be inspiring or helpful for your own project. READ, search online, talk to friends and colleagues Think hard and thoughtfully so you can propose a project that you actually want to make! There are many exciting ideas in the group! Now go figure out what kick-ass projects you can make with these ideas and go make them! Research, read, look, talk, ask, visit until you find the inspiring piece - go go go!

WHAT THE PROPOSAL SHOULD INCLUDE:

A project topic proposal (~800 words) and a bibliography and/or research sources list must be handed in AND posted on to the blog with images. Please present what you plan to make for your project clearly and show the research you have done so far.

Address the following:

What is the main topic of your project? Why you have chosen this topic?

What is your message for the audience? How will you reach an audience (ie "publish" the project)? How can an audience engage with the project?

How does this project fit into your professional aspirations and your portfolio?

What artists have influenced or inspired your project? Please research and choose 5 artists that connect with your project/topic. What other projects have you found that also address this issue and speak to your audience?

Your project should be informed by research. Please dive into the subject of your work and also other projects that may be inspirational and in dialogue with your project. Please list 10+ resources that will inform your project in a resource list at the end of your proposal.

PRESENTATION in class: You must present the goals for your semester project in class in a short 3 minute presentation (maximum). Think of this as a “pitch” to a group of peers or investors. This proposal and your in-class presentation will be graded as your midterm grade.

**You will use your proposal post to present in class. Be sure to include images and links as appropriate. *You can also make a short slideshow/presentation (like powerpoint) but please be sure that you upload the presentation to the web or make it using a web application like Prezi and link this from your post. You can bring a USB drive only as a backup solution. You will not be able to plug in a USB drive for presentations unless it is a last resort.

*****COMPLAINT****

EXTRA part to include in your proposal to frame/develop your project for midterm: Think about the activism of the Guerrilla Girls. Now frame your semester project as a "complaint" or as a protest. Frame your semester project topic as a "complaint" in a short piece of writing. Then begin to craft a way of addressing this with a solution - this should help your project. Include these responses in your proposal.

Good luck!!

No new readings due

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 3/4

Gallery Response

After visiting both exhibitions, Ibou Ndoye's Neighbors Near and Far and Adebunmi Gbadebo's Uprooted, please write a response of ~750 words addressing the following questions.

What is the subject of the works in each exhibition?

What medium(media) do the artists use? What themes and histories are portrayed in the works? How does research play a role in the work? What narratives do you see being conveyed? Do the works address the artists' own histories and identities? How would you explain the works as activist? Do the exhibitions address social issues, identity and activism? If so, how?

~750 words, 3+ quotes/citations from the class readings, 'works cited' at the bottom of the post, 3+ images from the exhibitions.

+Portrait project Create a portrait (self portrait) that explores these issues of identity and history inspired by the exhibitions. Include an image of this portrait at the bottom of your museum response with a title and a brief description.

READINGS:

Chapter 1 Nomads pgs. 25-60 Interventionists

Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls pgs 7-95 (the whole book)

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Wednesday 2/29

++We will be visiting the VA Gallery to see another show to compare for your gallery response

READINGS: Chapter 1 Nomads pgs. 25-60 Interventionists

2 quotes

Review: Chapter 1 and 2 pg 3-54

Seeing Power

2 quotes

Chapter 4 The Experimental University pg 111-132

Interventionists

2 quotes

Experimental University

Critical Art Ensemble

Democracy Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqHbr-qsRlI

Steve Kurtz at Armory https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gsQyaKPhNg

SubRosa

http://cyberfeminism.net/about/manifesto/

Tana Hargest

http://www.hargestart.com/newnegrotopia

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/19

READINGS:

Chapter 1 and 2 pg 3-54

Seeing Power

Chapter 4 The Experimental University pg 111-132

Interventionists

Topic ideas/proposal for semester project

Think about your semester project. Read the project description on our syllabus and note any questions you may have about the assignment. Please write 1 or more ideas you are considering for your project topic. We will be discussing the project assignment in class. You must hand-in your proposed topic or short list of project ideas with short descriptions of why and how you would like to make this project. You can just write these out on a piece of paper or, more preferably, type them and bring them to class. Please remember to include the ways that you plan to share this with an audience. Remember that these projects must exist in the world OUTSIDE of our class. How can you share these and engage an audience to impact their awareness of your topic?

**A longer project topic proposal (~2 pages) and bibliography/research sources list will be due for MIDTERM printed and handed in to me and posted on to the blog. You will be presenting the goals for your project in class in short 2-3 minute presentations. This proposal and presentation will be graded as your midterm. Your completed project is due at the end of the semester and will be presented in class as your final semester project.

Against the Status Quo Artist from bell hooks response - on the blog.

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/12

READINGS:

Seeing Power, Introduction

and

Interventionists, Anarchy in the Ruins pg 143-146 and Encyclopedia Entries pg 147-154

+2 quotes from each reading

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 2/5

GET THE BOOKS!! Next week you will have readings due from both books.

READING ON BLACKBOARD:

bell hooks, Understanding Patriarchy (+2 quotes (or more) from the reading - to be collected)

Response to the bell hooks reading - to be handed in (this can be on the same page as your quotes to be handed in): Define Patriarchy as per the bell hooks reading. Then through online or other research find an artist/art project who addresses and challenges the status quo, patriarchy, and its systemic power and dominance. Write a short description of the art project and bring it to class in addition to your quotes. You can share this project on twitter or on the blog if you wish.

ALSO PREPARE TO HAND-IN THE QUOTES FROM LAST WEEK'S READINGS. I will collect these together in class on 2/5.

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Due Wednesday 1/29

READINGS

John Berger Ways of Seeing Ch7 on BLACKBOARD

2 quotes + response on sheet of paper in class

Susan Sontag excerpt from On Photography

http://www.susansontag.com/SusanSontag/books/onPhotographyExerpt.shtml

2 quotes + response on sheet of paper in class

Intro on the blog

Who do you think you are?

What is your role in media consumption, critique and/or media making? How much of our common experience involves shared mass media images, events and stories? Use several examples to illustrate your description of your relationship to media.

Can you think of ways that the media covers activists, acts of resistance and protest? How do you feel about this relationship? Use examples to illustrate your answers. Your blog post must be at least 4 paragraphs and you must include at least one link and one image.

GET THE BOOKS!!

Seeing Power: Art and Activism in the 21st Century by Nato Thomson, Melville House Publishing, Brooklyn 2015

The Interventionists: Users’ Manual for the Creative Disruption of Everyday Lives edited by Nato Thomson and Gregory Sholette, MIT Press, Cambridge 2004

Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls by the Guerrilla Girls, HarperCollins, New York 1995

two tweets #actsofresistanceAIP

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Link to the Syllabus

Link to Class screenings

Link to our twitter hashtag: #actsofresistanceAIP

Discussion guidelines

The course material and discussions can often be provocative and challenging. We must therefore be careful to be respectful of each other and of our viewpoints.

We must come to class prepared and ready to discuss the readings. Please keep discussions focused on the readings and class materials and keep examples relevant and appropriate. If you have not done the readings you are not to participate in the discussion.