Students will benefit from having at least a very basic knowledge of contemporary art. All students should have a good command of the language (Spanish or English).

The students will learn how to: - Analyze an artistic image in its constituent elements and in the frame of the art movement(s) it belongs to. - Study a given work of art in relationship to its historical context, and understand the evolution of art and the art world in the 20th century in its major features. - Understand the cultural and symbolic values of an art piece. - Evaluate and comprehend primary sources and art history texts, in order to be able to understand the nature of artistic activities and their social, political and economic implications.

The course discusses Modern and Contemporary Art from its origins to our days, with the following syllabus: 0. Introduction to Modern and Contemporary art history: methodologies, theories, and critical tools 1. The Origins of Modern Art. Impressionism & Postimpressionism. 2. The Analytical View: Cubism & Futurism. 3. The Subjective View: Expressionism, Surrealism. 4. The Spiritual View: Abstraction, De Stijl & Russian Avant-Garde. 5. The Intelectual View: Duchamp, from Dadaism to Conceptual Art 6. Art after WWII: abstract expressionism, informalism & pop-art. 7. Postmodernism: Art & (Bio)Politics. 8. Art & Technology: from videoart to net art.

The course is made up of lectures and practical classes. Lectures are devoted to providing the students with the theoretical background and analytical skills that are necessary to discuss art works. Practical classes will be devoted to debates and group assignments. There are two assessable assignments: 1) Individual assignment 2) Group assignment Individual or group tutorship meetings can be arranged at any time.