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VCULT 209Global Modernisms: 1940-1970

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Visual Culture

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course introduces students to a thematically, materially, and geographically varied set of art practices which developed across the world from 1940-1970 and are referred to, under different monikers, as high modernism, mid-century modernism, and more recently global modernism. These variants of global art production are explored by analyzing theoretical and aesthetic ideas, as well as art movements and styles such as Socialist Realism, Gutai, Postcolonial Modernism, Cannibalist Aesthetic, Brutalism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, Négritude, Indigenous Modernism, and others.

Prerequisites

  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Must have completed the following:
      • VCULT101 - Art History and Visual Culture (0.50)
    • Students must be in level 2A or higher

Antirequisites

  • Not completed any of the following:

Notes

  • Art history course.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001426740 / 75MW 11:30–12:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

33% liked it25% easy50% useful

From 3 ratings and 1 comment on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • It was interesting at the beginning, but by the end, every single term and artist was blending into one. It's kinda my fault for not doing the readings and not paying attention in class but the classes were pretty boring. It's hard to take notes since she just has photos on her slides. We also got behind schedule pretty quickly, so lectures were a bit disorganized. The final group project was hellish, but to be fair, we all procrastinated (also, there was a final exam, sigh). Don't procrastinate, do the readings, and go to her office hours because she marks exams really weirdly and tough.

    Nov 2025 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar