Special Topic: Climate Art and Action

Catalog description

In this course, students utilize their skills in drawing, painting, photography, video, sculpture, or other media to more deeply understand and raise awareness of specific climate change problems and solutions. Students will research, analyze, and present contemporary and historical art and design projects centered on climate activism. Interdisciplinary guest speakers will join the class to expand the discussion of local, national and global climate change causes, actions, policy, and ethics. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and Drawdown will be explored and serve as content guides. Assignments will include the development of visual artwork, as well as agit-prop such as signs, posters and zines. In a final expanded social practice project, to be completed individually or collaboratively, students will utilize their visual works as part of a social event to draw attention to the effots of a student, activist, or other climate-related group, or support a particular population vulunerable to the effects of clinate change. Prior studio art course experience at Davidson is recommended but not required. A Studio Art course for the Art major and minor. Satisfies Visual and Performing Arts requirement.