FAAH 235 Final, Fall 2007

Final-Essay-Fall2007-08-Zeina-Meskaoui.doc 2/4/08 z meskaoui 1/3 Dead line for the topic December 13 to17, 2007 Due date for the essay: Last day of classes Final Essay Choose a topic related to modern art or postmodern movements/styles/artists. Bring up and discuss in your own words the theory [ies]/ issue [s]/ debate[s]/ involved in your topic and come up with your own personal conclusion. You will need to conduct a research: to analyse and discuss in your own words the topic of your choice. Remember to base your discussion on specific artworks. State the problematic in the introduction then introduce the arguments that challenge it and always return to expose the works that support your arguments. You may choose your topic from the textbooks, Art in Theory and Theories of Modern Art. State the problematic/thesis in the introduction then introduce the arguments that challenge it and always return to expose the works that support your arguments. Find the related art movement and focus on a single artist or two and a limited number of works to bring in the relevant arguments that support/ illustrate/ contradict or highlight your thesis. Your thesis is the core of the essay: Discuss in your own words your thesis presenting the theory [ies]/ issue [s]/ debate[s]/ involved in your topic. Your discussion must be based on the artworks. And come up with your own personal conclusion. Finally conclude! Tips: These are general tips. Choose the information relevant to your arguments that support your thesis. Put a title for the essay Introduce BRIEFLY the context the artist worked in: time- place- group/art movement Introduce your thesis Choose some artist[s]’s work What theme or purpose did the artist, or the group pursue? How did they influence the artist’s work: style, imagery etc…? What were the concerns of the artist? What were the characteristics specific to his artworks? Point out the characteristics and how they reflect the time in which he/she worked, the theme he/she pursued, and the style… How were they affected by the theme and the style…and vice versa? How do these characteristics support your thesis? Discuss the themes/theories/issues…related to your thesis building your arguments from your readings and from the artworks, as if you are analyzing the process that conducted your research! More tips: Construct a thesis and build your argumentation on supporting this thesis. Use the artworks to shape your arguments by analyzing the formal elements –line, shape, color…, the design components – balance, emphasis…, the iconography -subject and meaning – and draw relations between elements and context to raise questions regarding either concepts of modern art or issues and debates relevant to the period or to the present. Avoid Writing the bibliography of the artist: you can add it at the end of the essay. Do not assume that what you read is a taboo and is ‘true’, discuss its relevance and research other sources that might contradict, conflict, and/or support your claim. • You should have at least 4 sources [from which at least 2 books]. Include a bibliography. • You should have at least five artworks. Include them in the bibliography Final-Essay-Fall2007-08-Zeina-Meskaoui.doc 2/4/08 z meskaoui 2/3 • Remember to quote when using words that are not your own. Referencing them is a must. Plagiarism will cause you to fail the course. • The paper should be 3-4 pages long and have no space between lines, and a font size of 12. With your name, course name, date and title in the first page [top left] B-Presentation Due Date Last 5/6 sessions of classes You must all be ready from the 1st day of presentation. You will loose 5points for every delay! Present the topic in class. The presentation is a brief expression of your essay. Form: • The presentation time is 15 minutes • Present at least 5 illustrations of the artworks Tips: If you use power point or other visual material, do not cover the artworks with written information. When you show an artwork, give the information related to the artwork [Artist’s name, tilte, date, medium] before proceeding with your argument. Structure your presentation and introduce you thesis clearly in the beginning with a short outline. During the presentation, give an outline of what you explain and NOT all what you will be saying. Speak clearly and do not rush. Do not read all the time Conclude by reminding the audience of your thesis. General for both presentation and essay Tips: Construct a thesis and build your argumentation on supporting this thesis. Use the artworks to shape your arguments by analyzing the formal elements –line, shape, color… the design components – balance, emphasis…, the iconography -subject and meaning – and draw relations between elements and context to raise questions regarding either concepts of modern art or issues and debates relevant to the period or to the present. Grading: • You will be graded on the thesis, the content [use of various sources], the structure, the flow of ideas and the transition and the conclusion. • Your description and analysis of the visual material. The arguments: the development of each point/topic, its content including the description and analysis of the artworksand how they support/explain your thesis • . Format For the presentation you be graded also on the oral performance. • Eye contact, articulation etc… • Time management Final-Essay-Fall2007-08-Zeina-Meskaoui.doc 2/4/08 z meskaoui 3/3 • The visual material and its content [power point/slides etc…] you must have them on a CD with all information on the artworks [artist, title, date, medium] use them for the presentation and submit the cd with the written essay.