Art and Social Justice

ART 340E  

Course Title: Art and social justice 

Credit Hours: 45 

 

COURSE SYLLABUS 

Last Updated: 19/04/2024 

 

 

Semester: 

Class Meeting Days: According to schedule Class Meeting Time: According to schedule Class Meeting Location: ISA - CUSCO Instructor: Anngie Valerie Velasco González Office Location: ISA-CUSCO 

Office Hours: By appointment 

Phone Number: 965348492  

Email: valerievelascocusco@gmail.com 

 

 

 

Art and social justice will construct an egalitarian society. 

 

University Course Description 

 

Art, as an expression of the artist's work, is intrinsically linked to social events and dynamics. It constitutes a powerful tool for communication and transmission of knowledge. In this course, we will delve into the study and analysis of Peruvian artists, particularly local ones, who use this tool for educational purposes. 

 

We will explore how they address gender equality, promote environmental protection by non-polluting raw materials, and ensure their accessibility to all sectors of society. This knowledge will not only enrich students’ understanding but will also enable them to lay the foundations for artistic projects to contribute to the construction of a more equitable and sustainable world. 

 

Course Prerequisites 

 

Students do not need any prerequisite to take this course. 

 

 

 

How to Succeed in this Course 

 

It is essential that students actively participate during lessons and plenary sessions, promoting interaction by asking questions and expressing relevant opinions on the topics discussed in class. This participation must be respectful of the opinions of their colleagues. Additionally, students are expected to complete readings, assignments, and other activities assigned by the teacher to enrich their learning experience. 

 

Student Learning Outcomes 

 

At the end of this course, students will have developed the following skills: 

 

Analyze and reflect on issues linked to social justice through the exploration of various local artistic expressions. In addition, they will be able to delve deeper into complex topics, encouraging critical thinking and reflective dialogue. 

Become familiar with the artistic media and styles used by artists to achieve their objectives, as well as their trajectories, using them as examples in their opinions and personal work. 

Develop and write their own artistic statement. 

Conceive and execute artistic projects that generate social impact in their communities. 

 

Grading Scale 

Grading Scale (%)  

94-100 

                     A 

90 – 93 

A- 

87 – 89 

B+ 

84 – 86 

                     B 

80 – 83 

                     B- 

77 – 79 

C+ 

74 – 76 

                     C 

70 – 73 

C- 

67 – 69 

  D+ 

64 – 66 

D 

60 – 63 

  D- 

0 – 59 

F 

 

Grade Categories and Weights 

 

Assessment 

Percent of Final Grade 

Readings and exhibitions. 

20% 

Class discussions. 

20% 

Fild trip report. 

15% 

Artist statement. 

15% 

Artistic project. 

30% 

Total 

100% 

 

Readings and exhibitions 

Date: The date will be given according to the course schedule. 

Before each class, students will be provided with reading material. It will be necessary for them to make a presentation about the content, read and share their opinions about it. Assigned readings and presentations will be planned at the beginning of each course. 

 

Readings and exhibitions 

Presentation 

10% 

Theoretical support 

40% 

P2P 

50% 

 

Class discussions 

Date: The date will be given according to the course schedule. 

 

It is imperative that all students participate and read the material provided by the teacher to contribute to the discussion work during class. In addition, voluntarily, they will be able to search for information related to the topic and present it during the debate as support for their ideas. 

 

Class discussions 

Theoretical support 

30% 

P2P 70% 

70% 

 

Reports 

Due date: Each report must be sent one day after each field trip through the platform. 

 

Each field trip will be aligned with the purposes of the units and topics covered in class. Before each field trip, students will be provided with detailed information, including relevant questions and concepts. The resulting reports are expected to reflect a critical and analytical approach, applying the concepts acquired in the classroom. 

 

Reports 

Theoretical support 

30% 

P2P 

70% 

 

Artist statement 

Due date: The date will be given according to the course schedule. 

 

Each student must prepare an artist statement, following the guidelines suggested by the teacher. The declaration must be a maximum of one A4 page in length and consist of a maximum of three paragraphs. The text must be in Times New Roman font, size 12 and double spaced. 

 

Artist statement 

Theoretical support 

30% 

P2P 

70% 

 

Artistic project 

Due date: The date will be given according to the course schedule. 

 

The work can be done individually or in groups of up to two people, with the possibility of expanding the group if the project requires it and the students justify it appropriately. 

 

Students must design an artistic project following the guidelines learned in class. This project will be delivered in stages according to the established schedule. It is crucial that students respect the delivery dates, since the final grade will depend on this process. 

 

The project presented must have a social impact and make visible an issue that contributes to building a fair, equitable and sustainable society. 

 

Students must thoroughly understand and support the theoretical part of the project, which will be accompanied by a portfolio or a model. 

 

The artistic project must include a five-page document, excluding images, tables and references. The text must be in Times New Roman font, size 12 and double spaced. Additionally, a portfolio or mockup must be submitted with notes, sketches, photographs, videos or other relevant visual media. There are no limits to this presentation, as long as it contributes and is consistent with the project concept. The presentation of a model instead of the portfolio is optional and will depend on the topic and format chosen by students. 

 

The final presentation will include the theoretical part, which will be shared through the platform. The length of the presentation seminar may vary depending on the number of students in the group. 

 

The teacher will provide resources and material related to the topic so that students can carry out and complete the activity effectively. 

 

Work will not be accepted after the delivery date. 

 

Artistic project 

Presentation 

15% 

Theoretical support 

35% 

P2P  

50% 

 

 

 

Grade Dissemination 

 

Grades for each type of evaluation and the final grade for the course are rounded to whole numbers. The final grade is the average of the continuous assessment described in the table above: Grade Categories and Weights. 

 

Course Schedule 

 

Unid 

Topics to be discussed in class. 

Study activities and field trips. 

Study outcomes. 

Date 

0 

Introductory guidelines. 

Review the course structure. 

 

Week 1 

1 

 

Contemporary art and society. 

 

Name the main contemporary trends in Cusco and Peruvian art, and compare them with past trends. 

2 

 

 

How does art impact society? 

Fild trip to Augusta cultural space. 

Understand how artistic expressions serve as a means of transforming societies. 

 

Week 2 

3 

 

Guides for developing an artistic project 

Brainstorming for an artistic project. 

Selection of the theme for the artistic project. 

Put the guidelines into practice to build an artistic project. 

Week 3 

4 

Social ethics and the arts. 

 

 

Selection of the artistic technique to be used for the final project. 

Analyze and understand the relationship between ethics and art. 

Week 4 

5 

Art as a means of social transformation. 

 

Field trip to Maleza Arts Center, Urubamba, Sacred Valley of the Incas. 

Analyze and discuss the impact of the works presented on society. 

Week 5 

6 

 

Statements from artists seeking social change. 

Conversation with a contemporary Cusco artist. 

Analyze and discuss artist statements. Understand how you can make an artist statement. 

Week 6 

7 

Guides for developing an artistic project 

Preparation of the body of the artistic project. 

Put into practice the guides to build an artistic project and review the progress of each project. 

Week 7 

8 

 

Artists who work with indigenous communities 

Field trip to Xapiry Ground, Amazonian art center. 

Name, describe and discuss the work done by Peruvian artists who work with indigenous communities. 

Week 8 

7 

 

Art and gender equality. 

 

Short film viewing. 

Name, describe and discuss the work done by Peruvian artists whose axis is gender equality. 

Week 9 

8 

 

Conscious art. 

 

Preparation of the body of the artistic project. 

Analyze and discuss artistic works that have respect for the environment as their core. 

Week 10 

9 

Guides for developing an artistic project 

Development of visual schemes of the artistic project. 

Put into practice the guides to build an artistic project and review the progress of each project. 

Week 11 

10 

Art distribution. 

Conversation with a contemporary Cusco artist. 

Analyze and discuss how works of art are distributed and what forms artists use so that their work reaches the proposed target audience. 

Week 12 

11 

 

Presentation of artist statement and artistic project. 

 

Week 13 

 

(This course schedule is subject to change; any modification would be communicated to students in advance) 

 

Standard University Policies 

 

Policies about disability access, religious observances, academic grievances, academic integrity and misconduct, academic continuity, food insecurity, and sexual harassment are governed by a central set of policies that apply to all classes at USF. These may be accessed at: https://www.usf.edu/provost/faculty/core-syllabus-policy-statements.aspx 

 

Course Policies: Grades 

 

Late Work Policy: 

Essays turned in late will be assessed a penalty: a half-letter grade if it is one day late, or a full-letter grade for 2-7 days late. Essays will not be accepted if overdue by more than seven days. 

 

Rewrite Policy: 

Rewrites are entirely optional; however, only the formal essay may be rewritten for a revised grade. Note that an alternate grading rubric will be used for the rewrite, featuring an additional column that evaluates the changes made specifically. 

 

Make-up Exams Policy: 

If a student cannot be present for an examination for a valid reason, a make-up exam will be given only if the student has notified the instructor in advance that s/he cannot be present for the exam. 

 

Exam Retention Policy: 

After exams are graded, the instructor will review the examination with the class and collect all exams. 

 

Essay Commentary Policy: 

Commentary on essays will be delivered in written format, at the end of the essay. The student can request clarification of the comments at the end of the class. 

 

Course Policies: Technology and Media 

 

Laptop Usage: Portable devices may be used during class to take notes, but the student must submit their assignments and activities in handwriting. Therefore, the student must have a notebook for these activities. 

 

Phone Usage: The student may use their phone during class only if it is used for purposes related to what was worked during class. The student may not use it for other purposes.