9422 - Imagine a World: An Art History of Science Fiction and Fantasy Art
Course Description
In this course, we will use a range of media to develop a critical, decolonial approach exploring the imaginative world of science fiction and fantasy art. The two major questions we will be asking are: how and why? How have humans throughout time and space imagined science fiction and the fantastic? And why have they done so? It turns out, the answers to those questions are nearly endless. So we will begin somewhere!
Approaching from the fields of anthropology, archaeology, and art history, we will discuss theories of concepts such as myth, fantasy, science fiction, futurism, speculative fiction, and imagination. Then we explore the art! Topics of discussion will include: Ancient Peoples, Fine Art, Illustration, Animation/Anime, Costume, Album Art, Gender, Afrofuturism, Indigenous Cultures and Indigenous Futurism, Plastic Shamanism and Cultural Appropriation, and Fakes, Forgeries and Pseudoscience.
Learner Outcomes
Following completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Develop broad knowledge and technical vocabulary for discussing science fiction and fantasy art
- Understand the concept of dominant narrative, bias, and cultural difference.
- Understand the factors that influence the creation of the historical record and our varied knowledge of the past.
- Understand the concept of culture and the role of art in culture
- Develop skills for discussing, reading, and writing about art history with a sensitivity to different traditions, assumptions, and beliefs.
- Amplify BIPOC voices and scholarship
Notes
For RISD Students:
RISD Continuing Education (CE) credit is treated as transfer credit by RISD’s undergraduate degree programs. If approved, satisfactory completion of this course with a ‘C’ or better can count as 3 transfer credits toward Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD) elective requirements. Complete the Prior Approval for Liberal Arts Credit form in etrieve before completing the online course registration.
Students from institutions other than RISD:
Students seeking academic credits are urged to contact their home institution to arrange prior approval before registering. Policies on transfer credit vary by institution and by program, and it is at the discretion of your home institution to determine what credits it will accept and how they might meet individual academic requirements. For additional information about RISD Summer Intensives and Transfer Credit Policies, visit our webpage.
Prerequisites
Students must be an adult age 18 or older to participate.