Tucker, William. The Language of Sculpture. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1985.

Reiss, Julie H. From Margin to Center: The Spaces of Installation Art. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2001.

What is sculpture? What is art? These are some of the issues we will be exploring in this course.

Our investigation will begin in 15th/16th/17th-century Italy. Our focus will be outstanding artists of the Renaissance period such as Donatello and Michelangelo and from the Baroque era such as Bernini. Rodin--the towering figure of the 19th century--will be our introduction to the modern era. Twentieth-century sculpture is radically different from the art that preceded it and, like most forms of modern art, it is controversial. We will explore modern sculpture, including the early experiments by Picasso, which changed the direction of art; Readymades by Marcel Duchamp; which still provoke/evoke a wide range of responses from viewers; to the junk/assemblage works introduced in the 60s by Robert Rauschenberg, Claes Oldenburg, etc. Earthworks, Installation Art, and interactive experiments underway online will also be explored. Web Sites will be used extensively.

1. Participation - discussions and responses - 20%

Participation is important. Each student is expected to participate at the weekly rendezvous. This is discussion time - quality input is expected. Exchanges between students throughout the semester is encouraged. Exchanges with your instructor can take place throughout the week. If you fail to participate on a regular basis you will be asked to withdraw.

Academic dishonesty is failure to maintain academic integrity. It includes, but is not limited to, obtaining or giving aid on an examination, doing work for another student, and plagiarism. Academic dishonesty can result in severe academic penalty, including failure in the course and/or dismissal from the institution.

2. MIDTERM - 30%
Essay test, to be administered online midway through the course.

3. A 5-page paper will be assigned and will be due the last day of class. Grades will be based on content and a proper writing style. - 10%.

4. FINAL - 40%
The final will be proctored at your education center.

The grades will be based on a 100-point scale.

A = 100-90
B = 89-80
C = 79-70
D = 69-60
F = 59 and below

Assignments will be coordinated with material from the texts and Web sites. Cyberlectures will supplement the text and online material.

Each student will keep a journal in which he/she records the results of exercises designed to provide hands-on experience. For example, concepts will be introduced regarding how we see/perceive. These experiences/experiments will be shared with the class at our rendezvous site.

Week 1
Introduction to materials, methods, and to each other. Overview – Egypt/Greece.

Weeks 2/3
The Italian Renaissance – The Classical Ideal. Donatello, Michelangelo, etc.

Week 4
The Transition – Neo Classical – Romantic – Modern – The Contributions of Rodin.

Week 5
Review.
Midterm (online)

Week 6
Materials and Methods – Adding – Subtracting – Assembling – Rodin, Brancusi, Duchamp, Picasso. Matisse and the role of painters in the new art forms emerging. Cubism and Picasso – A New Way of Seeing

Weeks 7/8/9
Participation and Performance – John Cage, Claes Oldenburg, Robert Rauschenberg, etc. Site Specific, Installations, Environments – The Spectator vs. the Participant – Where Do We Go From Here? Speculation about the Future of Art and the Role of the Artist

Week 10
Review.
FINAL (to be proctored at your education center)

IMPORTANT: We will devote the time necessary to explore important material.
As we proceed, adjustments will be make to our schedule when/if necessary.