Spring 2024 Art History BC2698 section 002

American Monument Cultures

AMERICAN MONUMENT CULTURE

Call Number 00508
Day & Time
Location
TR 10:10am-11:25am
504 Diana Center
Points 4
Grading Mode Standard
Approvals Required None
Instructor Elizabeth Hutchinson
Type LECTURE
Course Description


Cities, institutions, and impassioned individuals are pulling down statues of people implicated in the histories of slavery, colonization and violence.  This class explores why monuments are important, how they have been used historically to assert political and social power and different points of view on where to go from here. 

The nation is caught up in a vital debate about how historical figures and events should be recorded in the public square.  Spurred by protests in Charlottesville, VA in the summer of 2017 and moved forward during the uprisings against police brutality in the summer of 2020, cities, institutions and impassioned individuals are pulling down and removing statues of Confederate leaders and other individuals implicated in the histories of slavery, colonization and violence even as objections are raised to these actions from both the left and the right.  This activism led to the formation of a commission to study New York City’s built environment in fall 2017 and its resolution advocating both taking down and putting up monuments here.

Why are Monuments so important?  How have they been used historically to assert political and social power?  This course introduces the history of monument culture in the United States, focusing on monuments related to three controversial subjects:  the Vietnam War, the Confederacy, and the “discovery” of America.  We will study when, by whom, and in what form these monuments were erected and how artists and audiences of the past and present have responded to them.  In addition to gaining historical background, students will create a podcast exploring the history and impact of a public monument in New York City.  Class meetings will combine lecture and discussion and will include several guest speakers. 

Web Site Vergil
Department Art History @Barnard
Enrollment 52 students (70 max) as of 4:06PM Sunday, December 1, 2024
Subject Art History
Number BC2698
Section 002
Division Barnard College
Section key 20241AHIS2698X002