How do mechanisms of perception structure responses to visual art? What is at stake when words describe images? By means of intensive looking, thinking, speaking, and writing, this course introduces the student to a series of problems and issues in the description and analysis of works of art. Because the course is also an introduction to the historical study of art, it is intended for students with no previous course work in the field. Satisfies the second half of the Reading and Composition requirement.

This course provides an introduction to reading and interpreting works of art as well as literary texts that explore visual experience. Its primary goal is to help students develop analytical writing techniques and gain research skills so that they can clearly and persuasively present a critical argument about an image and/or text. Our theme is the modern, 19th-century crowd. Baudelaire famously remarked that only gifted artists can efficiently mingle with the crowd [“Il n’est pas donné à chacun de prendre un bain de multitude, jouir de la foule est un art…”]. Yet the inescapable, frenetic mob becomes a quintessential figure in 19th-century literature and painting. It is an object of mass consumption. This course will consider the representation of the crowd in historical documents (psychological studies, photographs, poster advertisements, fashion magazines), canonical literary works (Poe, Baudelaire, Zola), and paintings (Van Gogh, Renoir, Manet, Caillebotte, Monet) in order to question the readability and predictability of the modern crowd. In our readings, we will consider the ways in which the depiction of the overflowing mob articulates an anxiety about the legibility of urban spaces. If it is up to the writer, painter, scientist, or criminologist to provide a clear definition of the masses, how does that particular enterprise succeed and/or fail? Additionally, we will explore how the modern crowd encourages, and even necessitates, new forms of representation. Theoretical readings will include selections from Simmel, Michel de Certeau, Benjamin, and others. Special emphasis will be placed on the development of close reading/looking skills, argumentative writing, and research techniques. As part of the reading and composition series, this course requires students to complete a 10-12 page research paper. Students should expect to submit multiple drafts throughout the semester and participate in a short presentation.

Requisites

• UC Entry Level Writing Requirement, English 1A, or equivalent. Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills