Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

20th-Century Art (Synchronous Remote)

ARTH 4750-30R

Course: ARTH 4750-30R
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 32618

Course Description

An overview of visual art and design in the “long” 20th century with an emphasis on the development of modernism and postmodernism in western visual culture. (Fall, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): (ARTH 2710 and ARTH 2720) or instructor permission - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C 

Required Texts

The recommended (but not required) text for ARTH 4750: 20th-Century Art is Modern Art, by Sam Hunter, John Jacobus and Daniel Wheeler; either the 3rd Revised Edition, published by Prentice Hall Books in 2002 ((ISBN-10: 013924705XISBN; ISBN-13: 9780139247057), or the 3rd Revised and Updated Edition, published by Pearson Books in 2004 (ISBN-10: 0131895656; ISBN-13:9780131895652). Either edition is fine. In addition to the Hunter/Jacobus/Wheeler text, I recommend but, again, do not require) Kelly Grovier’s Art Since 1989 (World of Art series, Thames & Hudson, 2015). Required texts will be provided by the instructor.

Learning Outcomes

For this 4000-level course, a standard of competency should be possible in – 

ARTH 4750 ELO (Essential Learning Outcome) No. 1
(Essential Learning Outcome 2.4 – Communication) Command of Content – 
a demonstrated understanding and use of discipline-specific content;
 
ARTH 4750 ELO (Essential Learning Outcome) No. 2 
(Essential Learning Outcome 3.1 – Creative Thinking) Acquisition of Competency – 
a demonstrated ability to evaluate and reflect on creative processes and products;
 
ARTH 4750 Essential Learning Outcome No. 3
(Electric Light Orchestra 4.0 – Critical Thinking) Competency in Comparative Evaluation – a demonstrated skill at conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief and action; and 
 
ARTH 4750 Essential Learning Outcome No. 4
(Essential Learning Outcome 11.0 – Variable) Knowledge of Human Cultures – 
a demonstrated knowledge of human cultures and of the physical and natural world through study inthe fine arts, humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the life and physical sciences.
 

Course Requirements

There will be 10 Module Quizzes, some of them objective in format, others discussion-based. In addition there will be an objective Midterm Test, and a similar Final Test.  Students will also be required to submit a Creative Assignment, instructions for which will be provided at the midpoint of the course. Finally, students will have two extra-credit opportunities. 

Course Outline

Following an introductory survey of late 19th-century themes and movements in Western art (including Academic classicism, genre art, portraiture, Realism and Naturalism, Symbolism, and the design trend known as Art Nouveay), the course will trace the development of 20th-century art-world trends, including Expressionism, Cubism and Art Déco design, non-objective art, early conceptual art (notably dada, Surrealism and the work of Marcel Duchamp), the so-called Return to Order, renewed expressionist trends during the mid-1940s, the Conceptual Art movement and the rise of Postmodernist aesthetics. In the last modules of the course students will survey more recent and contemporary developments in the global art world, including Feminism, photorealism and its off-shoots, street art, glitch art, indexical art, and others. 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

The course is taught both synchronously (that is, on the specific time schedule set by SUU for a 3-credit-hour lecture-based course) and asynchronously (which means that all class presentations and course materials will be made accessible to students for a significant period of time following their initial availability). In most cases six full days will transpire between the completion of a course module and the due date for submission of answers to the relevant module quiz or test. Likewise, the required Creative Assignment will also be introduced many days in advance of the due date. Because of these very flexible deadlines, make-up quizzes and tests will usually not be allowed, and re-takes will not be permitted. 

Attendance Policy

"Attendance" is not required, in the traditional sense, because the course is taught online. Students will not be required to log in at a specific time or on a specific day, nor will they be obligated to respond actively during class hours. Students are, however, expected to participate in class discussions on a regular basis and to engage with the course material in a serious and sustained way. Failure to do so – and to demonstrate such participation and engagement through quiz and test performance – will be noticed, and may seriously affect the student's grade in the course. 

Course Fees

As part of SUU's ARTH program, a fee of $9 per credit-hour (totaling $27 in the case of this 3-credit-hour course) will be assessed.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.