Arts in Communication and Social Commentary

Arts in Communication and Social Commentary presents the basic theory and practice of the visionary activist and communication role of the arts in society. The two basic fields covered in the course are social commentary and social marketing. The arts are a vehicle for calling an unjust world into justice and righteousness. They also are engaged for social education and marketing. The arts: music, dance, theater, and art, as vehicles of communication by visionary activists throughout history who have used them as persuasive commentary on societal problems, and calls to a better and just world. Further, it looks at the lives of artists and explores the unique experiences that thrust them into a world with a prophetic message of justice. The course provides opportunities for critical thinking skills in evaluating art as used in holistic and community development. Processes for communication, social commentary and political and conflict discourse are considered. A major arts-based project is required.

Course Objectives

• Describe primary artists and arts involved in political movements in different cultures
• Analyze the role of the arts and media in political discourse and conflict resolution
• Demonstrate the role of the arts as purveyor of social ideals and popular culture
• Define, explain and describe how the arts are media of communication using social marketing methods
• Describe and demonstrate how the arts communicate, inculcate, and teach cultural behaviors and values
• Provide models and design art as a persuasive medium of communication
• Analyze basic art forms, demonstrating their communication power and resulting messages to a variety of audiences (cultural, generational, religious)

Course Outcomes

• At the end of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate through a creative work an understanding of the power of the arts in creating critical awareness to a defined social issue or problem. This is evidenced through a project in the form of social commentary or social marketing.