The Context & Challenges of War Commemoration, Confederate Statues, and Activist Art in America

Registration for this class is now closed.

Course dates & times: 12:00-1:30 pm (Central) on Tuesday, 4/27; Wednesdays, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19

Weekly Topics:

  • Lecture 1 (Tues., 4/27): Traditions and Potential Problems of War Monuments & Commemoration

  • Lecture 2 (Weds., 5/5): Location, Location, Location: Considering Public Monuments In Situ

  • Lecture 3 (Weds., 5/12): Guest speaker on modern case study: Civil War Monument expert & class reading author Prof. Sarah Beetham

  • Lecture 4 (Weds., 5/19): Reclaiming Spaces:  African-American Artists Respond

Total: $135 for 4 classes (6 class hours)

**To encourage productive discussion, this course relies on limited outside coursework, such as short readings and a self-guided tour of local public monuments. (Please see “course requirements” below for more details.) Students may also receive a preparatory email from the instructor prior to the first class.** Also, there are mature themes and imagery in this course.

Course Description:

Expand your perspective around this important national debate through the lens of art history! In this unique hands-on course, we’ll approach this complex subject from several object-based angles.  Along with lectures, readings, and discussion, we’ll:

  • Conduct self-guided tours using written instructions from Dr. Hannah as a means for investigating the public monument format, including Confederate monuments.

  • Host a live interview with a field experts, Prof. Sarah Beetham, the author of a required reading.

  • Consider the challenges of commemorating the history of slavery and the Civil War and other problematic aspects of the American story.

  • Explore the creative ways that Black artists are transforming and engaging former sites of Confederate monuments.

Take a sneak peak into the course with this 4-minute video! Civil War art historian and course guest speaker, Prof. Sarah Beetham, masterfully answers the question, “What makes the study of Confederate monuments *interesting* as well as important?” Hear her connect Confederate monuments with ancient sculptural forms, the boom in American sculpture during the 19th c., and larger issues around public monuments.

Course requirements:

  • Self-guided tour of public monuments: Prior to or during our first class, students will receive materials to conduct a self-guided tour of public monuments in their area. (Austin-based students will be directed to the Texas capitol grounds.) Dr. Hannah will also record a video tour of the capitol grounds for those who can’t visit an outdoor monument or public statue on their own. From Hannah’s past experience, this in-person interaction with several different monuments was a key factor in students’ understanding and essential context for a grounded, art historical conversation on Confederate monuments.

  • Required reading distributed in class:

  • Reliable internet connection.

  • Ability to log onto Zoom in order to watch, listen to, and participate in live lecture sessions. 

Strongly recommended: Computer webcam and microphone to optimize class participation.

Registration for this class is now closed.