Seeing History Through Art: World War II

In this 8-part course, students will learn about the various roles that artists and artworks played in World War II. 

From drafting propaganda posters to creating officially commissioned war paintings, artists from around the world had a wide and captive audience. Meanwhile, art itself represented both prisoner and survivor, from the artworks looted by Nazis (and eventually recovered by the Monuments officers) to the drawings and paintings that outlived the horrors of the Holocaust and Japanese American Internment. 

Here are the themes you can expect from each class meeting:

Class 1 - Pre-War: Nazis' War on Modern Art, Setting the Stage for War
Class 2 - Wartime Propaganda Part 1 
Class 3 - Wartime Propaganda Part 2
Class 4 - Photography
Class 5 - Combat Art
Class 6 - Art of Resistance: Art Made in Internment and Concentration Camps
Class 7 - Art Looting and the Monuments Men 
Class 8 - End of War & Post-War Art

All learners are welcome in this class! This course can be a great entry point for students who have an interest in learning about the War, and it can also serve as a supplement for students who already have background knowledge but want to go deeper into concepts not always discussed in history classes. 

Each meeting will include a teacher-led lecture/discussion during which students are encouraged to ask questions, assert their opinions, and think critically about the art and images they see. Students may participate in whatever ways they feel comfortable. 

In addition to receiving a recording of our class, students will also have access to extra resources for extended learning between our class meetings.