Cultural Studies
Instructor: Tom Borrup
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (Fall 2007)
Course Description:
This course examines the role of the arts and culture in global societies, how managers facilitate and present artists’ work, and the roles played by various stakeholders in cultural development in diverse communities. The role of arts criticism and how art is assessed in diverse cultures is also discussed.
Student Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to
- explain creative processes and the work of artists;
- analyze the qualities and impacts of different works of art;
- relate the role of the artist to the role of the arts organizations and arts managers;
- compare cultural and artistic practices in various cultures and communities; and
- describe how organizational, social, and physical constructs impact the work of artists and how audiences experience art.
Textbooks:
Root-Bernstein, R. and M. (1999). Sparks of genius: The 13 thinking tools of the world’s most creative people. New York: Mariner Books/Houghton Mifflin.
Edgar, D. (1995). Pentecost. London, England: Nick Hern Books.
Graves, J. (2005). Cultural democracy: the arts, community and the public purpose.
Chicago: University or Illinois Press.
Library Resources:
The Library is available to help students access online and print resources, develop search strategies, find scholarly sources, evaluate information and more. Please see the Library Web page at www.smumn.edu/tclibrary
For further assistance, contact a librarian at the Twin Cities Campus Library at 612-728-5108 or toll-free at 866-437-2788, ext. 108.
Students taking classes in Rochester or Winona may also want to use libraries in those areas.
For Rochester, contact Goddard Library at 507-285-7233.
For Winona, contact Fitzgerald Library at 507-457-1562.
Writing Center:
Writing Center consultants are available in LaSalle 106 to help students with any writing assignment. Appointments are available between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. To make an appointment, call 612-728-5154 (toll free 866-437-2788, ext. 154) or e-mail. Writing assistance is available online at the Writing Center Web page at www.smumn.edu/tcwrite.
Topical Course Outline:
Week 1: Friday, October 26, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• Introductions
• Review syllabus, objectives, terminology, Daily News[1], readings, grading, assignments
• Group activity: Students explore their own cultural make up, examine influences that have shaped their worldview, and describe their cultural interests.
• Reading for week 2: Sparks of Genius, introduction, first two chapters, and two additional chapters, to be assigned, for discussion week 2.
• First assignment: The Creative Process - Each student will identify and interview an artist. They will reflect on three things: 1) the artist’s creative process, 2) the student’s own creative process (whether or not an artist), 3) relevance of readings and discussion to findings. Students will hand in a written outline and prepare a 10-minute oral presentation. Due week 3.
Week 2: Friday, November 2, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• The Daily News
• Discussion of Sparks of Genius – the impact of creative thinking across professions, the role of artists in society, and the 13 thinking tools
• Continue and complete first assignment for week 3
• Reading for week 3: Cultural Democracy, Intro and Chapters 1 and 7 for discussion
• Second assignment: The Creative Product - Each student will participate in a cultural activity that is outside the kind of activities in which they generally partake. This might include a performance, exhibit, or reading, or could include an ethnic marketplace, a religious observance, or a family or tribal gathering. Students will write a first person account of approximately 1,000 words reflecting on four things: 1) a description of the event, artworks and/or cultural expressions experienced; 2) your personal reaction to the work and/or experience; 3) observations of the behavior and response of the audience/other participants, and 4) observations of the context or space in which the event took place and the relationship of that space to the event/works of art. Due week 5. Students will give a 10-minute oral summary, respond to questions and hand in paper.
Week 3: Friday, November 9, 6:00– 10:00 p.m.
• The Daily News
• 10-minute presentations of first assignment
• Reflection and discussion of the creative process and the thinking tools
• Discussion of Cultural Democracy (Introduction and Chapters 1 and 7)
• Casting for roles in reading of Pentecost, a play by David Edgar. Each student will be assigned one or more roles for the reading week 4
• Reading: Pentecost for live reading and discussion week 4
• Final assignment:The Creative Structure - Each student will identify a different cultural organization to visit, research and write about for the final paper. They will be expected to attend events, visit on more than one occasion, gather information on the organization’s programs, activities, organizational structure and physical manifestation. They will write a first person paper between 2,000 and 4,000 words describing and analyzing the organization’s stated mission and role in the community in comparison to the student’s observations. Of particular concern will be the “architecture” of the organization. This will include how it is organized or structured to carry out its stated mission, its location (especially in relation to its audiences), and its physical manifestation or building. What does the organization and its cultural offerings ‘say’ to the community, and what does its outward manifestation ‘say’ to you, the critical observer? Due week 7. Each student will present a 15-minute oral summary and lead discussion.
Week 4: Friday, November 16, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• Reading of Pentecost with a visiting theater director.
• Discussion: Whose stories are being told? Who is doing the story telling? Who “owns” the culture in this story? In a historic context, what t ook place over the course of the play?
• Check in on second assignment
NO CLASS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Week 5: Friday, November 30, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• The Daily News
• Oral presentations of second assignment
• Follow-up discussion on cultural contexts, forms, and expressions
• Reading: Cultural Democracy, chapters 2, 3, 5 and 6 for discussion week 6
• Check in on final assignment progress
Week 6: Friday, December 7, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
• The Daily News
• Discussion of Cultural Democracy, Chapters 2, 3, 5 and 6
• Group activity: In small groups students will create fictional scenarios of organizations and their decision-making process.
Week 7: Saturday, December 15, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• The Daily News
• Presentations of final assignment, discussion
• Reflections on learning
• Class evaluation
Teaching Methods:
While carefully structured, this class depends on the observations, participation and analytical contributions of students. Sessions will be informal and will take into account student interests and current events. The teacher will present some material, but group discussion of readings and student presentations of assignments comprise the majority of class time. The class includes readings about theory and analysis, interactions with arts practitioners, first-hand observations and analytical writing and discussion. Readings, discussion and the final paper are designed to synthesize the four elements being studied: the socio-economic-political environment, the creative process, the creative product, and the structures and organizations that foster (or deter) creativity.
Synopsis of Assignments:
(See Topical Course Outline, Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3)
Assessment of Student Performance:
Student performance will be based on the following criteria:
- Contribution and analysis of Daily News items
- Completion and quality of assignments
- Organization of ideas for presentations to class
- Application of concepts from readings to written analysis, as evidenced in papers
Grades will be weighted as follows:
- Selection and analysis of Daily News items = 10
- Outline for first assignment on creative processes = 20
- Analysis of creative process
- Correlation of concepts from reading to analysis
- Organization of presentation
- Second paper on creative product = 30
- Description of cultural work/event
- Analysis of personal relationship to experience
- Observations of audience participation/reactions/behaviors
- Observations and analysis of physical environment
- Integration of concepts from readings and discussions
- Organization of presentation
- Final project paper on the creative structure = 40
- Thoroughness of research
- Observation of organizational elements
- Analysis of mission/role vs. empirical and observed evidence
- Integration of concepts from readings and discussions
- Synthesis of process, product, structure and environment
- Summary and organization of presentation
Total Grade Points 100
Grading Policy:
90-100% or points = A
80-89% or points = B
70-79% or points = C
< 70% or points = NC
Assessment of assignments is based on inclusion and discussion of each point outlined in the assignment, demonstrating that the student understands the concepts included, and the ability to communicate in a clear, concise, well-organized and grammatically correct APA style format. Grading policies are consistent with University policy as stated in the current Catalog and Student Handbook.
Class Preparation and Attendance:
In-class exercises and participation are essential ingredients to the success of the learning process. It is expected that students will prepare for class thoroughly by completing the assigned work and bringing with them pertinent questions and comments to enhance the classroom experience. Therefore, it is expected that each student will attend every class session.
Academic Policies and University Conduct:
Students are responsible for following all current Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs (SGPP) policies as posted on the Saint Mary’s University Website. It is expected that students have read and know the academic and university conduct policies listed in the most current SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook, most particularly those associated with all aspects of grading, the Good Name Policy, academic dishonesty, and class attendance.
Instructor’s Perspective:
The instructor believes that the successful arts and culture manager is, in fact, a community leader. In addition s/he has an open and flexible mind and is comfortable with the complex nature of the arts and with the ever-changing cultural and physical environment in which the arts are created and experienced. This includes developing a high comfort level with diversity and change, and appreciating that there are multiple ways of defining and experiencing culture. S/he embraces the concept of “both/and” in place of “either/or” ways of thinking. To lead a productive cultural organization, the manager must consciously nurture a learning environment that is creative and tolerant; one that is non-judgmental yet discerning. Cultural leaders must work collaboratively with other community leaders around broad and inclusive community interests and concerns. Cultural leaders also maintain a critical awareness of current local and global social, political, and economic affairs. To the degree possible in a 2 credit course, these ideas and principles will be practiced and taught.
[1] Each class will begin with The Daily News, 30 minutes of sharing events or items of interest taken from newspapers or other information sources. Items discussed should have relevance to, or be indicative of the impact of culture on political or economic events. Each student will be expected to keep up with local and global affairs, bring at least three items to class during the semester, and share their analytic perspective of those events. News sources must be identified and dated.
