MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS

Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996

Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996

VSA2150

The other side of the avant-garde: twentieth-century women's art history

Proposed to be offered next in 1997

A Van den Bosch

Synopsis The subject examines different forms of art practice and careers of women artists in Europe and America in the twentieth century. The content covers the distinctive themes and imagery of women artists, questions concerning the nature of historical evidence in art history, the critical reception of women's art and their representation in museums. The subject will address feminist aesthetics and themes in women's art practice such as the representation of the body, expressionist and surrealist tendencies, documentary photography, sculpture and architectural practice, abstraction, colour and pattern painting, and political and feminist art. These topics focus on specific debates current in women's art history and criticism.

Assessment Seminar paper (2000 words): 35% + Essay (3000 words): 40% + Visual test (1.5 hours): 25%

Preliminary reading

• Chadwick W Women, art and society Thames and Hudson, 1990

Prescribed texts

• Broude N and Garrard M (eds) The expanding discourse: Feminism and art history Collins, 1992
• Chadwick W and Cortivron I (eds) Significant others: Creativity and intimate partnership Thames and Hudson, 1993
• Freuh J, Langer C and Raven A (eds) New feminist criticism Harper Collins, 1988
• Pollock G Vision and difference: Feminism and art history Routledge, 1988
• Slatkin W (ed.) The voices of women artists Prentice-Hall, 1993