UTPS 504 Posters for the People - Using WPA Sources

3 credits 42.0 hours
500 level graduate course

Of the 2,000 Works Progress Administration posters known to exist, the Library of Congress’ collection is the largest. These striking silkscreen, lithograph and woodcut posters were designed to publicize health programs, cultural programs, theatrical and musical performances, travel, educational programs and community activities throughout the United States. The posters were made possible by one of the first U.S. Government programs to support the arts and were added to the Library’s holdings in the 1940s. In this course, learn about the WPA and its mission as well as the connections to history, art, social science and visual literacy that can enrich your teaching. Participants learn about this time period, the power of design to communicate and how to use visual primary sources to engage students. Including hands-on printmaking and design studio exercises, mural tours, museum visits and more, use the digital archives of the Library of Congress to prepare lessons based on these powerful historic images. Content is appropriate to a range of subject areas as connections to social science, history, material processes and literacy are explored.

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.