Course detail

Artists and Issues

FaVU-AIS-LAcad. year: 2020/2021

The course will look into the texts below through a detailed analysis and discussions; the selected texts, ranging from the disciplines of contemporary philosophy (Latour, Haraway, Bradiotti), antropology, cultural studies (Tsing), botanics (Sádlo, Pokorný), etc, reflect the state of Anthropocene, the fix in which "humankind" has found itself (in)voluntarily (?). We will problematize the equal share of "humankind" on Anthropocene, we will look at texts which not only ask the classical question What Is To Be Done, but also "what to say"? (to whom). We will compensate the highly theoretical texts offering a trully global/comprehensive insight into the reflection of the sorry state of the world by reading about and watching plants in forrests, steppes, and meadows in order to understand how these (and their biodiversity) were formed in the past by human labor so that we can better understand what can be saved (through that labor? or its simulation?) for the future. Or not.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Academic reflection of selected problems of contemporary art, a detailed knowledge of artworks and viewpoints of selected contemporary artists.

Prerequisites

Students have to have excellent communicative skills in English.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Seminar form. Each class: 1) written reflection of the assigned reading 2) group discussion of the text, contextualization.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Continuous assessment and attendance.
Students will be assesed from writing all assignments, preparing possible oral presentations, and regular reading of the assigned texts. Not having read those texts will count as an absence.

Course curriculum

See the bibliography list - each week one reading, plus two field trips (literarilly). (Real fields.)

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The course should encourgare students to critically reflect the issues dealt with in the syllabus by way of studying the assigned texts, discussing them in class and reflecting them in essays.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

Attendance is mandatory, students are allowed to miss two classes per semester.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Latour, Bruno. Facing Gaia. Eigth Lectures on the New Climatic Regime. (EN)
Haraway, Donna. Staying with the Trouble. Making Kin in the Chtulucene. (EN)
Tsing, Anne. Mushroom at the End of the World. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUB Bachelor's

    branch VU-D , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 1. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 2. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 3. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-D , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-VT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective
    branch VU-IDT , 4. year of study, summer semester, elective

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Seminar

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer