Visualizing Women's Work: Using Art Media for Social Justice

This course explores the intersection of art, social justice, and gender equality, focusing on how artists use various media to address historical erasures and biases in public art and commemoration. Over four modules, students will develop skills in visual literacy, art interpretation, and critical analysis of public monuments through a gender lens. The curriculum covers the foundational concepts of form, content, and context in art, and examines how artists use their work to raise public consciousness about social issues. Students will study diverse art projects that aim to increase the visibility of women's work and contributions, including performance art, participatory art, and lens-based activism. The course also delves into the creative process as a form of research, encouraging students to develop their own projects that respond to gender bias in public commemoration. By examining real-world examples of social justice art initiatives, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how art can be used as a powerful tool for addressing societal inequities and promoting change.