PRSP 401
INTERDISCIPLINARY TOPICS IN EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVES:
Spring, 2002
David Means, Associate Professor, First College
(612) 341-7262 Messages: (651) 793-3967 (Nobles)
“There is an acknowledged danger that technology is advancing much faster that the culture’s ability to make sense of it. The arts have traditionally been a place where understanding, integration, diversity and preparation for future developments take place. There are several competing visions of how artists can gain identity and most fruitfully work …while positioning themselves in these conflicting world views.”
- from Dark and Light Visions, Stephen Wilson, 1992.
How are identity and diversity used in performances? How do they help give context and meaning to works of art? Public performances provide an important venue for audiences to engage new ideas; to interact with others in defining the value and purpose of performance; and ultimately participate in a broader discussion on the nature of art and creativity in expressing cultural values. Students will investigate the nature of creativity in performance as an instigator of public discourse on the arts, and inquire into the specific role of identity and diversity in defining contexts for new meanings. The seven-week accelerated format will coincide with Metro State’s Strange Attractors International Festival of Experimental Intermedia Art, and students will have the opportunity to view these performances and speak directly with festival artists in order to frame a final reflective critique.
Competence Statement
“Knows the principles and approaches to interdisciplinary study well enough to be able to analyze, interpret and critique an interdisciplinary topic from a range of educational perspectives.”
Evaluation
Written critiques and class discussion 80%
Final Reflective Critique 20%
Accelerated Learning Class Format
This course consists of seven weekly class sessions and will be performance intensive, with written
critiques and a final project expected from each student. Absences cannot be made up and will detract 1/7 for each un-excused occurrence.
Required Text
Sounding Off: Music as Subversion/Resistance/Revolution. ed. Fred Ho and Ron Sakolsky.
Recommended Texts
Interactive Excellence: Defining and Developing New Standards for the Twenty-first Century by Edwin
Schlossberg. Ballantine (1998).
“True West”, in Seven Plays. Sam Shepard. Bantam (1981).
Dark and Light Visions: The Relationship of Critical Theory and Cultural Studies to Art that Focuses on Emerging Issues. Stephen Wilson, 1992.
Part I will introduce interdisciplinary perspectives on critical thinking and cultural theory as applied to the interpretation, analysis and critique of public performances. This will lead students to develop ideas for a specific interdisciplinary project, including the resources needed to implement the project.
I. Introductions & Overview of Interdisciplinary and Cultural Study
What is the nature of interdisciplinary study? How does the study of an interdisciplinary topic reveal larger questions about the nature of learning? How can extending interdisciplinary connections lead to a deeper level of critical thinking? What is the relationship between content and context? How are cultural values transmitted through works of art in performances?
Specific Seminar Focus: How are identity and diversity used in performances? How do they help give context and meaning to works of art?
Assignments:
1. Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a 2-3 page critique of the John O’Brien Quartet performance at the Strange Attractors Festival. Make a few short notes during the performance (Contexts for Critical Listening and Thinking) to help direct your critique.
2.Read Ch. 1,2
& 3 from Ho and Sakolsky text
Handouts: Stephen Wilson’s essay “Dark and Light Visions”; excerpts from “True West”.
II. Critical and Cultural Theory: The Interdisciplinary Nature of Identity and Diversity
3/22 Dialogue and Discussion on performances and the nature of audiences and venues
“True West” - Defining American Identity and Diversity
Description, Interpretation and Criticism Within a Critical and Cultural Context:
Stephen Wilson essay discussion
Assignments:
1. Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a 2-3 page critique of the “True West” performance at the Strange Attractors Festival. Make a few short notes during the performance (Contexts for Critical Listening and Thinking) to help direct your critique.
2.Read Ch. 4&5 from from Ho and Sakolsky text
3. Begin to formulate your Final Reflective Critique
III. Identity and Diversity: Interpreting Cultural Content and Assumptions
3/29 Discussion of True West
How does a play use identity and diversity differently than a concert?
What is the ‘True West’? What is the True West one would want to have?
How is the diversity of the brothers’ characters used as identity?
What are the respective characters of Saul and Mom related to this use?
A Conversation with Mark Garcia
Assignments:
1. Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a 2-3 page critique of “The Conqueror” performance at the Strange Attractors Festival. Make a few short notes during the performance (Contexts for Critical Listening and Thinking) to help direct your critique.
2.Read Ch. 6 & 7 from Ho and Sakolsky text
IV. Improvising Identities: Analyzing Methods and Approaches
4/5 Assumptions and the Reasoning Process
Assignments:
1. Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a 2-3 page critique of the Wade Kollada performance at the Strange Attractors Festival. Make a few short notes during the performance (Contexts for Critical Listening and Thinking) to help direct your critique.
V. Identity, Diversity and Consumption
4/12 Dance Theater and Performance
A conversation with Georgia Stephens
Assignments: Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a 2-3 page critique of the Georgia Stephens performances at the Strange Attractors Festival. Make a few short notes during the performance (Contexts for Critical Listening and Thinking) to help direct your critique.
Part II will examine problems and methods used for completion of the interdisciplinary projects.
VI. Political Engagement and Identity; Defining Boundaries & Intersections
4/19 Either/Or vs, Both/And
Conversation with Fred Ho
Assignments:
1. Use the Guidelines to Critiquing Performances to write up a critique of the Fred Ho performance at the Strange Attractors Festival. Integrate it into your final project in (if you cannot work it into a final draft, submit a 2-3 page reflective essay on Fred’s impact on the investigation of your project.
VII. Project Presentations and Class Feedback
4/26 Fill out Instructional Improvement Questionnaires
Premier of Ron George’s new work for the Nobles eXperimental interMedia Group
Reception
Examining Identity and
Diversity
in Public Performances
List elements of content from this performance:
Elements of Identity Elements of Diversity
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.
5. 5.
How are these elements related?
To each other?
Similarities
Differences
To other performances?
To other issues of identity and diversity?
What is the new context for these larger concepts and what is the significance to -
artists/writers/creators?
readers/viewers/listeners?
Communities/ cultures?
Guidelines to Critiquing
Performances
Examining Identity and Diversity in Performance
Describe the nature of the performance; what are the most significant elements of identity and diversity? What expectations did you have at the outset of the performance regarding your anticipation of these elements?
What context best frames the questions and uses of identity and diversity in this performance?
How do the elements of identity and diversity relate to one another and to the larger
setting in which this performance is viewed?
What assumptions of identity and diversity are you relying upon to form the basis of your interpretation? How do they relate to your own likes and dislikes?; to your anticipations described in part I?
How would you evaluate the quality of the performance?
In terms of the creative content of performance materials?
In the larger contexts of identity and diversity?
How would you evaluate the reception and impact of the performance?
by the audience?
by your classmates?
by your own preferences and aesthetic values
How has your critique of the performance challenged your previous assumptions?
What other changes in your critical thinking have taken place as a result of attending this
performance?