2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF2128 The Avant-Gardes

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr Rebecca Starr
Email: R.Starr@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

As art historians, the task of categorising a particular artist or group of artists ‘avant-garde’ is increasingly problematic, especially as we look back at the art produced in the twentieth century. Historically what we now call ‘avant-garde’ art has not always been deemed ‘worthy’ of that category. The notion of what the ‘avant-garde’ is or has been has shifted, historically and critically, in order to take on other kinds of conditions for use, causing a disavowal of particular artists, groups and the types of media they manipulated. This module takes as its starting point the contestation of the term ‘avant-garde art’ by looking at historical and contemporary debates; It then investigates, as case studies, European, Russian, Central and South American art of the first forty years of the twentieth century to consider what may constitute ‘avant-garde art’ in all its social, political, cultural and critical as well as material diversities.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have developed their knowledge of the complex and contested notion of the 'avant garde'; specifically with regards the art produced in Europe, Central and South America and Russia between 1900-1940.

By the end of the module, students should have become familiar with a body of theoretical and art-critical texts and developed their understanding of selected key debates on the 'avant garde'. Thus, they will be able to assess and discuss both the historical as well as the unstable categorisation of 'avant garde' art within twentieth century art history.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to analyse works of art, specifically those produced by the artists working under the art historical grouping of the ‘avant-garde'.
2. Demonstrate the understanding of the wider social, cultural and historical contexts that have impacted the contemporary receptions and subsequent historicisations of the term ‘avant-garde’.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the criticisms of ‘avant-garde’ as a term used to group and analyse specific works of art.
4. Demonstrate the understanding of the ‘avant-garde’ as a critical form of analysis.
5. Demonstrate the ability to write critical accounts of the term ‘avant-garde’ whilst developing independent research and analysis skills.

Syllabus

The syllabus will work through a particular set of theme. These may include some or all of the following:
Introduction to the ‘Avant-Gardes’
Futurisms
Cubisms (Cubist Collage)
Dada
Suprematism
Constructivism
Stridentism
Critiquing ‘the’ Avant-Garde
Teaching will also include practical workshops as a way in which to better understand the processes of artistic creation and its relationship to the theoretical and historical contexts studied.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lectures	10	1.00	10.00
seminars	10	1.00	10.00
Practicals	2	1.50	3.00
Private study hours			177.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

80 hours class preparation/reading
10 hours reviewing lectures
37 hours essay preparation
50 hours essay preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at seminars
- Registers taken
- Contribution to class discussions
- Students will have mid-semester assessment, to be handed in during Week 7. Feedback for this will be given in Week 10.
- Participation in Seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay or Dissertation	1x 3000 word essay or critical exercise	60.00
Essay or Dissertation	1x 1500 word essay	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

The two pieces of assessment are designed to help students meet the learning outcomes of demonstrating an understanding of the wider social, cultural and historical contexts that have impacted the term ‘avant-garde’, and ability to, analyse works of art studied during the module. The essay questions give students the opportunity to develop their own ideas and write critical accounts of the term ‘avant-garde’, by encouraging them to engage with critical accounts of the term ‘avant-garde’.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/05/2023

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