The Story of Modern Art

Course Title: The Story of Modern Art: From Impressionism to Pop
Type of Course: Adult Education
Credit: Not credit-bearing

Week
Session Title

1. Is Impressionism Modernist?

2. The First Modernists

3. No Session

4. Post-Impressionism

5. Matisse and French Expressionism

6. German Expressionism

7. Picasso and Cubism

8. Futurism and Its Offspring

9. Dada and New Objectivity

10. Surrealism

11. Constructivism

12. Building a New World: Bauhaus

13. American Modernism Before the Second World War

14. The Post-War Rise of New York

15. American Pop and the Cult of the Real

16. The University of Central Paranoia?

Course Overview

This course offers an insightful journey through the evolution of modern art, beginning with the Impressionists in the 1860s and culminating with mid-twentieth-century movements. Participants will explore how modern artists responded to the changing world around them and how society, in turn, reacted to their innovations.

From understanding how the Impressionists utilised contemporary scientific discoveries to select their colour palettes, to examining the influence of the atomic age on new sculptural forms, this course provides a comprehensive overview of the factors that shaped modern art. Discussions will cover a range of movements and figures, including Post-Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, and Pop Art, with artists such as Monet, Picasso, Dalí, and Warhol.

No prior knowledge of art, history, or art history is required. The sessions are designed to be accessible and engaging, encouraging lively discussions and debates on the artworks and themes presented.

Required Previous Experience (if any)
None required.

Required Reading Material or Special Equipment Needed (if any)
There is no compulsory reading for this course. For those interested in further exploration, the following texts are recommended:

• David Britt, Modern Art: Impressionism to Post-Modernism (London: Thames and Hudson, 2007)

• David Cottington, Modern Art: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005)

• Pam Meecham, Modern Art: A Critical Introduction (London: Routledge, 2004)

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this course, you will be better prepared to:

• Understand the key movements and figures in modern art from the 1860s to the mid-twentieth century

• Analyse the social, cultural, and technological factors that influenced modern artists and their work

• Engage critically with modern artworks and articulate informed perspectives

• Appreciate the ongoing impact of modern art on contemporary visual culture

Teaching and Learning Approach

The teaching and learning approach for this course combines tutor-led instruction, visual presentations, group discussions, and independent study supported by individual guidance from the tutor. Classes are conducted face-to-face in a classroom setting and utilise diverse teaching methods, including lectures, image analyses, and interactive activities. These methods are selected to engage students, accommodate varied learning styles, and support effective understanding of the subject matter. The approach is also designed to recognise and be responsive to the diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities, and cultural perspectives represented within the student cohort, fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Additional Information

This course descriptor may be subject to change during the delivery of the course, depending on the specific direction and nature of the learner cohort, and is intended to be responsive to the group dynamics as they emerge during the delivery of the course.