Register

SAVC 142 Art History  II:  Renaissance to Contemporary
9 a.m. – 9:50 a.m., MWF
Dr. Abayomi Ola

This foundational course explores the history of the visual arts from the fourteenth century to the twentieth century (from the Medieval period to the Modern era). Students are taught about works of art in the social, political, religious, and philosophical realms as well as in the very personal contexts that gave these objects meaning for their original audiences.

SAVC 230 Global Foundations of Modern Art
11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m., MWF
Abayomi Ola, Ph.D.

This course begins with the premise that the history of European and American modern art, which arose out of seventeenth century Enlightenment ideals, is incomplete without an examination of the African, Oceanic, Indigenous and other global influences that prompted the Impressionists to emulate Japanese woodblock prints and catalyzed Picasso and Braque’s exploration of Cubism in the early twentieth century.

SAVC 238 Art as Social Justice
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., W
Cheryl Finley, Ph.D.

This course examines the central role that art and artists have played in the history of African American and African Diaspora social justice movements. Juxtaposing foundational theoretical texts by Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Angela Davis, Kwame Toure and Bryan Stevenson with archival sources and works of material culture, art, spoken word and film, students learn how art has been a catalyst for social justice.

African American Art
9:25 a.m. – 10:40 am., TR
shady radical, Ph.D.

This survey examines multiple forms of visual art production by African Americans from 1619 to the present. It begins with an overview of the Middle Passage and slavery in relation to African American traditions in the decorative arts, architecture and archaeology through the end of the eighteenth century. Nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first century topics demonstrate how printmaking, photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and time-based media engage both art historical movements and historical trajectories of freedom, civil rights and social change.

The Black Female Body in Visual Arts
1p.m. – 2:15 p.m., TR
shady radical, Ph.D.

This lecture focuses on the history and discourses of the black female body as a figure of representation, sexuality, resistance, agency and identity in American visual culture. Organized thematically, with examples drawn from painting, sculpture, photography, film, popular culture and mixed media installations from the antebellum era to present day. ​

SAVC 291 Special Topics: Architecture, Histories & Concepts
9:25 a.m. – 10:40 a.m., TR
Chad Dawkins, Ph.D.

This course is a survey of American architectural traditions, methods, and their significance. Combining an examination of the built environment with historical and social contexts is intended to give a holistic interpretive approach to the basics of architecture. The survey of architecture focuses on the fundamental elements and their use as significant forms. Students will look at the work of specific architects and firms, while focusing on types and styles rather than singular works or individuals. Through readings, students will explore the evolution and contributors to our current architectural, urban, and suburban landscapes. The course and readings will be complemented by practical work in archives and around campus to reveal the significance of the Atlanta University Center, and local environment.

SAVC 302 Satire in African and African Diaspora Arts
1 p.m. – 1:50 p.m., MWF
Abayomi Ola, Ph.D.

Explores manifestations of satires in the visual arts of Africa and its Diasporas. Topics to be examined include: satires that subvert gender, racial or sexuality bias; satires that challenge hierarchies of artistic representation; and satires that address local, national or global environmental concerns.

SAVC 320 Art History Methods, Theory and Practice
3 p.m. – 4:15 p.m., R
shady radical, Ph.D.

This foundational theory and methods course explores the practices and methods of the discipline of art history. Students investigate key questions, interpretative approaches, institutional structures and modes of dissemination that define the study of art history.

Directed Studies – Art History
Cheryl Finley, Ph.D.

This course is open to majors and minors who wish to engage in independent study in areas that course offerings do not cover in depth. Under faculty guidance, the student engages in comprehensive reading, writing and discussion. Faculty permission is required.

SAVC 375 Entering the Art World: Culture and Context
11 a.m. – 11:50 a.m., R​
Karen Comer Lowe

This course provides a basic introduction to the topics and individuals that shape and inform curatorial practice. Through roundtable discussions, structured classroom exercises, field trips, and workshops with a variety of arts professionals, students will discuss and analyze the challenges, limits, rules and opportunities that have historically informed curatorial practice.

Mining the Museum
10:00 a.m. – 12:40 a.m., F
Chad Dawkins, Ph.D.

This course positions museums as dynamic, changing, non-neutral spaces that should be respected as extraordinary cultural assets, that should be enjoyed and challenged, critiqued and scrutinized. This course focuses on seminal exhibitions that inform current perceptions of and interactions with museums. Using exhibitions and works from the permanent collections of AUC institutions as case studies, this course examines the role of institutions, curators and other museum professionals.

Curatorial Practicum
3 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. R
Chad Dawkins, Ph.D.

In this advanced seminar, students research and write a proposal for an exhibition, which is the culminating, capstone project for the curatorial minor. This final project may be a physical or digital exhibition. Students are encouraged to explore opportunities to partner with arts, education and community organizations in the Atlanta area, as well as alternative exhibition designs and educational initiatives both within and outside of traditional venues.