Overview

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The most resonant learning experiences happen when students can connect classroom content to the world around them. This course provides a methodology that uses accessible and relevant themes—rather than just dates and names—to organize learning about art. By adopting a thematic approach used by leaders in the field of museum education, you will learn to bridge the gap between modern and contemporary art and your students' lived experiences, making the classroom a space for creative big-picture thinking. You will gain the fluency to group works around powerful ideas such as Place, Identity, Society, and Transforming Everyday Objects. Whether you are looking for a pedagogical edge or seeking to revitalize your curriculum, this course equips you with the resources to create an inclusive, interdisciplinary environment. You will learn to facilitate connections that help students see art not as a distant subject, but as a vital tool for understanding their own lives and communities.

Syllabus

Introduction to Art & Ideas

Welcome to Art & Ideas! In this course, you'll learn to see art through a new lens—one that focuses on themes instead of chronology or historical movements. Themes allow us to make connections between multiple artworks, classroom content, and our own lives. Teaching with a thematic approach not only makes art more accessible but also centers the student experience and supports interdisciplinary teaching.

Places & Spaces

In this module, we'll explore our first theme: Places & Spaces. When you ground your lessons in sights and structures that are familiar, you provide students with a direct connection to the artwork. You'll discover some of the ways artists have represented place and found inspiration in their surroundings.

Art & Identity

In this module, we'll move from place to people as we discover some of the ways artists express, explore, and question identity. You'll learn about portraiture and how artists have created representations of themselves and others. You'll also explore strategies for using art to explore the topic of identity with students.

Transforming Everyday Objects

In this module, we'll consider how artists use everyday objects to challenge assumptions about what constitutes art and how it should be made. At the core of this theme is the idea of artistic choice and the works you encounter will offer insight into the creative processes artists and designers use to invent and transform everyday objects. You'll also gain skills for making interdisciplinary connections and fostering students’ critical thinking abilities.

Art & Society

In this module, you'll explore artworks created in response to the social, cultural, and political issues of their time. You'll gain a deeper understanding of history and contemporary society and explore strategies for encouraging students to think critically about world events and how they are depicted.

Teaching with Themes

In this module, you'll take everything you've learned and create your own thematic lesson plan using works of art. We'll also share some resources you can save and use in the future.