Graeme Sullivan
Pass/Fail (Letter Grade option)

Description:

This course will introduce students to curriculum theory and practice using art education as the content core. While the course will cover major conceptions, values and practices that influence art education curriculum at all levels of instruction, the emphasis will be on the larger context of education and schooling.

Art education is inherently an eclectic field that falls within the influence of theoretical frameworks in philosophy, psychology, education, socio-cultural theory, and of course, the visual arts. Education also can be considered to be a series of overlapping histories of continuity and change, each with its own set of guiding assumptions, theories, practices and characteristics. While many of these positions may be dormant, they constitute the basis for continued development and potential reconstruction. Developing a critical approach in order to analyze the various curriculum foundations of education and the arts will enable students to consider ways to develop new curriculum initiatives.

Course Aims

This subject has three aims:

1. To introduce students to curriculum theory in art education within the larger context of conceptions of education and schooling. To achieve this lectures and seminars will deal with curriculum conceptions and definitions, ideologies and frameworks, and orientations and practices.
2. To develop students' critical awareness of the curriculum issues that impact on arts education. Lectures and discussion will deal with art curricula content, contexts and rationales involving critiques and reviews of selected curriculum models and texts.
3. To involve students in basic curriculum design strategies for art teaching and learning. Lectures and workshops will deal with the components and processes involved in planning curriculum modules, art lessons and implications for implementation.

Course Content

The content for this subject is drawn from a range of art education research and educational literature that deals with conceptions of curriculum theory and practice. This material is organized around a basic content framework of lectures and seminar topics.