Course Syllabus
TYLE 0805 (002): Race, Identity, and Experience in American Art
Betye Saar (b. United States), Black Girl’s Window (1969). Wooden window frame with paint, cut-and-pasted printed and painted papers, daguerreotype, lenticular print, and plastic figurine. 35 ¾ in. x 18 in. x 1 ½ in. Museum of Modern Art, NY.
Instructor
Liam Maher (he/him)
Email: wmaher@temple.edu
Office Hours: Monday 12:00pm – 2:00pm via Zoom (Link on Canvas)
Course Description
How have American artists throughout history explored their identity/identities? What does it mean to be an “American” artist? How have identity politics shaped and been shaped by American culture? What can we learn today from these artists and their work? This course, which satisfies the race and diversity Gen Ed credit, explores these questions through art and film about America. Each week, students will watch a film about a period of American history, identify with their peers the key issues and themes of the film, and explore how artists of the time reflected those issues and themes in their work. Special focuses race, gender, sexuality, religion, ability, and class will guide our discussions. Field trips will give students the opportunity to apply what they learn out in the field.
Course Learning Goals & Outcomes
- Grasp a history of American art from the early modern through contemporary periods.
- Evaluate how identities have been depicted, erased, and (re)interpreted through the history of art, and how this history is tied to the creation of “America.”
- Practice critical engagement with creative media, including film, sculpture, photography, painting, performance, and other arts.
- Gain the written and verbal skills necessary for interpreting, discussing, and contextualizing works of American art.
Class Format
This class meets in-person on campus in the Tyler School of Art & Architecture. We will have two field trips as listed in the Weekly Schedule. The instructor reserves the right to schedule an online class session in the event of a medical/logistical emergency.
I will screen assigned films in our classroom at 7pm every Monday. Anyone who wishes to view the film for free is welcome to attend (friends outside our class are welcome pending classroom space). These screenings are optional and not required for credit.
General Education Competencies
Our learning is aligned to meet and support outcomes of the TU General Education program. GenEd encourages students in the following endeavors:
- Drawing connections between academic knowledge and current controversies
- Connecting with the city of Philadelphia, and the art archives in and around Temple University
- Developing 8 skills and abilities rather than memorizing content
Gen Ed Race & Diversity classes intend to teach students how to:
- Recognize the ways in which race intersects with other group identifications or ascriptions (gender, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, etc.)
- Understand the relationships among diversity, justice and power
- Explore what it means for individuals and institutions to exist in a multi-racial, multicultural world
- Investigate the various forms race and racism has taken in different places and times
- Discuss race matters with diverse others in relation to personal experience
Content Warnings
Like many art history and studio classes, this course includes sensitive material presented in lecture, films, images, readings, and discussion (i.e., themes of violence surrounding issues of politics, religion, race, sexuality, etc.). Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will use content warnings accordingly.
Respect & Equity Statement
One of Tyler’s priorities is to create an anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels safe and welcome. We are firmly committed to diversity and equality in all areas of campus life. All Tyler students, and those taking classes in Tyler, are encouraged to participate, speak up, and express their viewpoints in a manner that is in keeping with the principles we seek to maintain as a community: mutual respect, tolerance of difference, kindness, and compassion.
Pronouns
Please share your pronouns with me, especially if they differ from what is listed in TUPortal. Note that the Temple University system accepts changes and updates of preferred names and pronouns here.
Course Materials
To set yourself up for success in this course, I recommend investing in the following:
- Spiral bound notebook (single subject)
- Folder
- Pen
- Pencil
- SEPTA Key Card (with $6.00 minimum for field trip travel)
To participate in this course, you will also need access to the following technologies:
- Computer
- Speaker/headphones
- Internet
- Microsoft Word & PowerPoint and/or Google Docs & Slides
- Canvas
Students should check Canvas and their Temple University email daily for course updates. All students are required to comply with Temple University’s Computer and Network Security Policy.
Students are recommended but not expected to have access to video streaming services (HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, etc.) to make classwork easier. Share passwords with friends, use emails to get free trials—whatever it takes!
Phones & laptop use are discouraged in the classroom unless expressly permitted by the instructor. However, students who wish to follow along with class slides and/or notate directly onto provided lecture slides are welcome to use their device(s) to do so.
Basic Needs
Limited resources are available for students who do not have the technology they need for class. Students with educational technology needs, including no computer or camera or insufficient Wifi-access, should submit a Student Technology Assistance Application located in TUPortal and linked from the Dean of Students Support and Resources webpage.
The university will endeavor to meet needs, such as with a long-term loan of a laptop or Mifi device, a refurbished computer, or subsidized internet access. Internet Essentials from Comcast provides the option to purchase a computer for $150 and high-speed Internet service for $9.95 a month, plus tax. The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) is available to purchase Xfinity, Verizon, T-Mobile, and other internet services.
Qualified households can receive a temporary monthly credit of up to $50/month toward their Internet service and leased Internet equipment until the program's funding runs out. On-campus computer labs are also available for student use. Note that there are technology resources available for students, including some software that is available for free download and other specialty software that may be available for remote access through ITS.
As a student, you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, substance use, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and ability to participate in daily activities.
Counseling services are available to assist you. Please contact the Tuttleman Counseling Center.
The following academic support services are also available to support you:
- Student Success Center
- University Libraries
- Undergraduate Research Support
- Career Center
- Disability Resources and Services
If you are experiencing food insecurity or financial struggles, Temple provides resources and support. Notably, the Temple University Cherry Pantry and the Temple University Emergency Student Aid Program are in operation as well as a variety of resources from the Division of Student Affairs.
Any student who has difficulty affording groceries or accessing sufficient food to eat every day, or who lacks a safe and stable place to live, and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the CARE TEAM in the Dean of Students Office for support at 215.204.7188 or email: careteam@temple.edu. The CARE Team web address is https://careteam.temple.edu/students.
If you are comfortable doing so, please notify your instructor, Program Head, or Department Chair. This will enable them to guide you to appropriate resources.
Office Hours
Students are welcome to meet with me either during the office hours as listed in Canvas and the syllabus or at a mutually agreed upon time. If a student wishes to meet outside office hours, they must email me in advance to schedule the appointment. Should a student miss a scheduled meeting, they are permitted one rescheduling opportunity before they forfeit their right to meet outside scheduled office hours.
I routinely check my email 7am – 5pm, Monday - Friday. I cannot guarantee a timely response to emails sent outside these times. Please factor this into your communication.
Grading
|
Category |
Percent |
|
Attendance & Participation |
10% |
|
Close Looking Exercises |
40% |
|
SCRC Reflection |
15% |
|
Los de Aqui Reflection |
15% |
|
Final Project |
20% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
Attendance & Participation (10%)
Attendance & participation account for 10% of your final grade. I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. Students are permitted two unexcused absences before their grade is impacted. Additional excused absences will be granted in the event of unexpected circumstances so long as the student contacts me in advance of their absence.Persistent tardiness will not be tolerated. Students are expected to factor in commute time to their travel to/from campus.
Participation in class takes many forms: active listening, verbal responses to questions and reading discussion, note-taking, and timeliness are a few examples. I encourage all students to practice as many forms of participation as they can throughout the semester to ensure they get the best participation grade possible.
Close Looking Exercises (40%)
Every Thursday, we will begin class with a 15-minute guided close looking exercise. I will provide you with prompt questions to guide your observations. Students will handwrite their responses in a notebook and submit them in at the end of every Thursday class for a grade. If a student wishes to type their responses, they must get instructor approval. Students must submit ten completed exercises to receive full credit. The rubric for these can be found on our Canvas page.
SCRC Reflection (15%)
Students will complete a reflection paper responding to our field trip to Temple University’s Special Collections Research Center. Parameters for this assignment are posted on Canvas.
Los de Aqui Reflection (15%)
Students will complete a reflection paper responding to a self-guided field trip to TSA’s exhibition of Henry Morales’ paintings, Los de Aqui. Parameters for this assignment are posted on Canvas.
Final Project (20%)
Students will complete a final project proposing a themed exhibition of three or more artworks. This proposal should feature American artists (broadly defined) and connect to themes, topics, and/or history discussed in this class. Parameters for this assignment are posted on Canvas.
A minimum grade of C- is required for General Education courses. For more information, please see Temple University's Academic Policies on Grades and Grading.
The grading scale is as follows:
|
Letter Grade |
Points |
Percent |
|
A |
4.00 |
94-100% |
|
A- |
3.67 |
90-93% |
|
B+ |
3.33 |
87-89% |
|
B |
3.00 |
84-86% |
|
B- |
2.67 |
80-83% |
|
C+ |
2.33 |
77-79% |
|
C |
2.00 |
74-76% |
|
C- |
1.67 |
70-73% |
|
D+ |
1.33 |
67-69% |
|
D |
1.00 |
64-67% |
|
D- |
0.67 |
60-63% |
|
F |
0 |
0-59% |
Incompletes & Withdrawals
A student will be eligible for a grade of “Incomplete” only if they 1) have completed at least 51% of the work at a passing level, 2) are unable to complete the work for a serious reason beyond their control, and 3) files a signed agreement with the instructor outlining the work to be completed and the timeframe in which that work will be completed. The student is responsible for initiating this process and all incomplete forms must be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs prior to the start of study days in that semester. Please refer to the following link for more details. Temple University’s Incomplete Policy. (Policy #02.10.13).
If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, it is the student’s responsibility to meet the deadline for the last day to withdraw within the current semester. Please visit the Temple University’s Academic Calendars to view important dates. Please consult the University policy on withdrawals. (Policy #02.10.12).
Due Dates and Accommodations
Due dates for all assignments are listed in the course syllabus under the Weekly Schedule. Extensions can be granted if the student reaches out to me before the due date. Initial extensions are two days, with longer extensions granted as necessary. The maximum extension allowed is one week. Late work will receive a 3% grade deduction for every day past the due date. Missing assignments will receive a grade of 0%. The final paper & presentation cannot be turned in late.
Students with accommodations will be allowed extensions with more flexibility. The core intent of accommodations is to help students compensate for time they lose due to their disability while completing scheduled academic tasks. Talk with me if you want assistance in procuring an accommodation for this course.
Academic Honesty
According to the University Student Code of Conduct, students must not commit, attempt to commit, aid, encourage, facilitate, or solicit the commission of academic dishonesty and impropriety including plagiarism, academic cheating, and selling lecture notes or other information provided by an instructor without the instructor’s authorization. Violations may result in failing the assignment and/or failing the course, and/or other sanctions as enumerated in the University Code of Conduct.
In this course, plagiarism includes the submission of AI-generated material (written or otherwise) for assignments, or general use of generative AI (i.e. ChatGPT) to develop project ideas or content. Because generative AI uses unethical internet scraping programs to find information without providing credit and citation, it constitutes intellectual property theft. Students found using AI-generated content in coursework will be penalized in accordance with the University Code of Conduct.
If you are unsure where to start with a project, or wish to get feedback on a work-in-progress, please talk with your instructor who can provide you with the feedback you want. You can also consult Temple University’s Student Success Center, which houses a writing tutoring program free to all students.
Course Schedule
|
TIMELINE |
DATE |
DUE |
IN CLASS |
|
The Early Modern Americas (1600s – 1800s) |
08/26 |
Read the syllabus |
- |
|
08/28 |
Watch Prey (2022) |
Film discussion
|
|
|
09/02 |
Watch Little Women (2019) |
Film discussion |
|
|
09/04 |
- |
|
|
|
The Modern Americas (1900s – 1950s) |
09/09 |
Watch Frida (2002) |
Film discussion |
|
09/11 |
- |
|
|
|
09/16 |
Watch Sinners (2025) |
Film discussion |
|
|
09/18 |
- |
|
|
|
09/23 |
Watch The Brutalist (2024) |
Film discussion |
|
|
09/25 |
- |
|
|
|
FIELD TRIP 1 |
09/30 |
- |
SCRC Visit |
|
10/02 |
NO CLASS |
||
|
Postwar America (1960s – 1980s) |
10/07 |
Watch Apocalypse Now: Redux (1979/2001) |
Film discussion |
|
10/09 |
- |
|
|
|
10/14 |
Watch Priscilla (2023) |
Film discussion |
|
|
10/16 |
- |
|
|
|
FIELD TRIP 2 |
10/21 |
NO CLASS |
|
|
10/23 |
- |
NO CLASS |
|
|
Contemporary America (1980s – present) |
10/28 |
Watch Philadelphia (1993) |
Film discussion |
|
10/30 |
- |
|
|
|
11/04 |
Watch The Watermelon Woman (1996) |
Film discussion |
|
|
11/06 |
- |
|
|
|
11/11 |
Watch Bring It On (2000) |
Film discussion |
|
|
11/13 |
- |
|
|
|
11/18 |
Watch The Farewell (2019) |
Film discussion |
|
|
11/20 |
- |
|
|
|
11/25 |
Thanksgiving Break |
||
|
11/27 |
|||
|
12/02 |
Watch Problemista (2023) |
Film discussion |
|
|
12/04 |
- |
|
|
|
|
12/08 |
|
|