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Intro to Art History for High School: Street Art, Grafitti, and Culture

Class
Molly McGill, M.A.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:
(859)
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In this six week class, students will explore the historic roots of street art and grafitti and how this controversial style of art connects to politics, social movements, and popular culture of the Contemporary period!

Class Experience

6 lessons//6 Weeks
 Week 1
Lesson 1
Origins and Early Influences
In this week, students will explore the origins and early influences of street art and graffiti. They will delve into the predecessors and historical roots of these art forms, examining the political and social factors that played a role in their emergence. Students will also be introduced to influential artists such as Cornbread, Taki 183, Phase 2, and Lady Pink, whose works shaped the early graffiti scene.
 Week 2
Lesson 2
Hip-Hop Culture and New York City
During this week, students will focus on the birth of hip-hop culture in New York City and its connection to street art. They will explore how graffiti became intertwined with the other elements of hip-hop, including breakdancing, DJing, and MCing. Through studying the works of renowned artists like Dondi White, Futura 2000, Seen, and Blade, students will gain a deeper understanding of the vibrant relationship between graffiti and hip-hop culture.
 Week 3
Lesson 3
Chicano Movements in California Street Art
In Week 3, students will examine the influential Chicano art movement and its impact on street art in California. They will explore the rich tradition of Chicano muralism and its connections to street art, focusing on artists such as Carlos Almaraz, Judy Baca, El Mac, and Chaz Bojórquez. Through analyzing their works, students will gain insights into the cultural significance and artistic contributions of the Chicano movement.
 Week 4
Lesson 4
Street Art Movements
During this week, students will be introduced to major street art movements and collectives. They will explore the influence of pop art on street art and examine the practice of culture jamming. Students will also delve into guerrilla art, installation art, and site-specific interventions, studying renowned artists like Keith Haring, Jenny Holzer, Swoon, and Invader who played significant roles in these movements.
 Week 5
Lesson 5
Global Perspectives
In Week 5, students will broaden their horizons and explore street art and graffiti beyond the United States. They will examine street art in different regions of the world and analyze the cultural and social contexts that influence its creation. Through studying artists such as Os Gemeos from Brazil, Blek le Rat from France, Blu from Italy, and Banksy from the UK, students will gain a global perspective on street art.
 Week 6
Lesson 6
Contemporary Street Art and Legitimization
During the final week of class, students will focus on the evolution of street art into the mainstream art world and its role in urban revitalization and gentrification debates. They will study contemporary street artists like JR, Vhils, Retna, and Fafi, who have made significant contributions to the field. Students will engage in discussions on the legitimization of street art and examine its current state as a recognized and respected art form.
  • --How to think critically about art and images that are presented to you
  • --How street art fits into a larger art and historical context
  • --How institutional structures marginalize certain voices within the art historical narrative
  • --How street art responds to various social issues
  • --How to talk about and describe art, both verbally and in written form
I have been teaching art history for seven years now. I started my career teaching at the university level and in museums and have been teaching art history on Outschool since 2018. I developed this introductory series for middle and high schoolers so that they could have a foundation for talking about the arts earlier than at the college level and be exposed to history in a new way! 
0 - 1 hours per week outside of class
Homework
Frequency: included
Feedback: included
Details: Each week, students will respond to questions that correlate with the week's topics in 1-2 paragraphs.
Assessment
Frequency: included
Details: Learner progress is assessed through in-class discussions, online discussions, and written assignments. Grades are available upon request.
Grading
Frequency: included
Details:
This class is ideal for those with unique learning needs. Students will be provided with study guides after each class for continued support and have access to all recordings for each week. Students can opt out of assignments if preferred.
No supplies necessary! Students will be provided with additional resources for further exploration after each class.
Artworks may include images of nudity, violence, or religious imagery. Artworks will not be censored for class. Students will discuss various civil rights issues and political issues through the course.
Students will be provided with outside resources after every class to elaborate on our lessons, available online. Sources used include university lectures, art historical textbooks, including Gardner's Art Through the Ages and Stokstad's Art History, cultural center websites, and museum information. When available, primary sources from the time period and area are used to include these voices prominently.
Joined September, 2018
4.9
859reviews
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Popular
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in History from University of Colorado at Boulder
Hello Outschool families! My name is Molly McGill and I am so excited to be teaching on the Outschool platform and sharing what I love with students from all over the world. I earned my Masters in art history from the University of Colorado, where... 

Reviews

Group Class

$17

weekly or $100 for 6 classes
1x per week, 6 weeks
50 min

Completed by 4 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-10 learners per class

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