ARTS 4855 Public Art and Media Culture

Prerequisite: ARTS 2800 or 2810, and one upper- level Art History course (ARTS 4800-4889). An in-depth exploration of theories and practices of contemporary art in the public realm and of popular media culture. On a theoretical level, students will learn how to employ postmodern theories of cultural criticism to decipher and deconstruct mass-media representations. Students will also learn contemporary theories and exemplary practitioners of New Genre Public Art, and will learn practical strategies for community interaction and activism through active participation in a community art project. Additional special course fee required; see semester course schedule for amount.