VPAS 502 History + Philosophy of Murals for Education

Division of Continuing Studies Professional Institute for Educators

3 credits 42.0 hours
500 level graduate course

There is a long tradition of art designed for wall areas to communicate, decorate, inspire and more, as part of an architectural landscape for public viewing. These can be executed on the wall itself, in situ, or worked out in the artist’s studio and later installed. A mural is designed for a specific space and impacts the community, and it reflects a time and place in a unique way. Often, the visual effects are an enticement to attract public attention to social issues or reflect values and attitudes. State-sponsored public art expressions, particularly murals, are often used by regimes as a tool of mass-control and propaganda, or a mural may be a part of a social commentary from the people. In all cases, these works represent important messages. Murals can have a dramatic impact whether consciously or subconsciously on the attitudes of a passerby, as they exist in the spaces where people live and work. This class explores the history of the form, the major movements and well known creators, including the Mexican muralists of the 1930’s, the Work Projects Administration, and the contemporary use and impact of these works.

Open to graduate students from the Division of Continuing Studies.
This course is not repeatable for credit.
This course may not be audited.
This course cannot be taken pass/fail.