Course Summary Course Objectives Learning Outcomes Course Materials Teaching Methods Weekly Topics Course Schedule Office Hours Assestment ECTS Calculation Course Policies Learning Tips Print Syllabi Download as PNG

VA506 Modernity and Modern Art

Syllabus   |  International University of Sarajevo  -  Last Update on Mar 03, 2026

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Visual Arts and Visual Communications Design

Spring 2025 - 2026 | 6 ECTS Credits | International University of Sarajevo

Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Semester
Spring
Course Code
VA506
Weekly Hours
3 Teaching + 0 Practice
ECTS
6
Prerequisites
None
Teaching Mode Delivery
Face-to-face
Prerequisite For
-
Teaching Mode Delivery Notes
-
Cycle
II Cycle
Prof. Jane Doe

TBA

Course Lecturer

Position
-
Email
tba@ius.edu.ba
Phone
033 957 -
Assistant(s)
-
Assistant E-mail
-

Course Objectives

The course aims to: 1. Examine modernity as a transformative condition within artistic practice rather than solely as a historical period. 2. Investigate the shift from object-based art to conceptual, performative, spatial, and media-based practices. 3. Analyze major developments in post-1945 modernism and postmodernism. 4. Explore how contemporary art redefines medium, materiality, authorship, and spectatorship. 5. Develop students’ theoretical and analytical vocabulary for discussing modern and contemporary art.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

1
Explain modernity as an evolving artistic paradigm within 20th and 21st century art.
2
Identify and contextualize key movements including Minimalism, Conceptual Art, Performance Art, Video Art, Installation Art, and Postmodern practices.
3
Analyze artworks using formal, conceptual, and theoretical frameworks.
4
Critically assess the transition from material object to dematerialized, time-based, and spatial practices.
5
Construct coherent written and oral arguments about modern and contemporary art.
6
Evaluate the changing role of the artist, the artwork, and the spectator in late modern and postmodern art.

Course Materials

Required Textbook

• Foster, Hal et al. Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism. • Lippard, Lucy. Six Years: The Dematerialization of the Art Object.

Additional Literature
• Bishop, Claire. Installation Art: A Critical History. • Goldberg, RoseLee. Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present. • Krauss, Rosalind. Passages in Modern Sculpture. • Bourriaud, Nicolas. Relational Aesthetics.

Teaching Methods

• Lectures • Analysis of artworks / in-class analytical exercises • Critical discussions • Student presentations • Organized visits to exhibitions

Weekly Topics

This weekly planning is subject to change with advance notice.
Week Topic Readings / References
1 What Is Modernity in Art?
2 Duchamp and the End of the Traditional Object
3 Modernist Formalism
4 Pop Art & Media Culture
5 Minimalism & Objecthood
6 Conceptual Art
7 Joseph Beuys & Social Sculpture
8 Performance & The Body
9 Fluxus & Event
10 Video Art
11 Installation & Spatial Experience
12 Postmodern Strategies
13 Institutional Critique & the Art System
14 Expanded Sculpture & Contemporary Hybridity
15 /

Course Schedule (All Sections)

SectionTypeDay 1Venue 1Day 2Venue 2
VA506.1 Course Wednesday 17:00 - 20:50 B F1.24 (MAC Studio) - -

Office Hours & Room

Course Office hours will be available here soon.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

Assessment Components

100%x1
Final Exam
AI: Not Allowed

Alignment with Learning Outcomes :  1

IUS Grading System

Grading Scale IUS Grading System IUS Coeff. Letter (B&H) Numerical (B&H)
0 - 44 F 0 F 5
45 - 54 E 1
55 - 64 C 2 E 6
65 - 69 C+ 2.3 D 7
70 -74 B- 2.7
75 - 79 B 3 C 8
80 - 84 B+ 3.3
85 - 94 A- 3.7 B 9
95 - 100 A 4 A 10

IUS Grading System

Letter marks that do not affect student's CGPA:
  • "IP" – In progress is assigned for recording unfulfilled student obligations related to graduation project/thesis/dissertation and internship.
  • "S" – Satisfactory is assigned to a student who passed the examinations that are not numerically graded or whose written assignment has been accepted.
  • "U" – Unsatisfactory is assigned to a student who failed to pass the examinations that are not numerically graded.
  • "W" – Withdrawal signifies that student has withdrawn from the relevant course.
Additional letter mark that affects student's CGPA:

"N/A" – Not attending, and it is assigned to a student who is suspended from the course or who does not meet the minimal requirement for attendance on lectures or tutorials. The course lecturer must follow the attendance policy and assign "N/A" in each case of a student failing attendance.

Late Work Policy

Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.

ECTS Credit Calculation

📚 Student Workload

This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:

150 Total Workload Hours

6 ECTS Credits


Course Policies

Academic Integrity

All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.

Technology & AI Policy

Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.

Communication Policy

All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [VA506] in the subject line.

Academic Quality Assurance Policy

Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.

More info

Article 112: Evaluation of Work of the Academic Staff

  1. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
  2. Evaluation of work of each academic staff member is to be carried out in accordance with the Statute of the institution of higher education by the institution as well as by students.
  3. The institutions of higher education are obliged to carry out a students’ evaluation survey on the academic staff performance after the end of each semester, or after the completed teaching cycle for the subject taught.
  4. Evaluation must evaluate: lecture quality, student-academic staff interaction, correctness of communication, teacher’s attitudes towards students attending the teaching activities and at assessments, availability of suggested reading material, attendance and punctuality of the teacher, along with other criteria which are defined in the Statute.
  5. The institution of higher education by a specific act determines the procedure for evaluation of the academic staff performance, the content of survey forms, the manner of conducting the evaluation, grading criteria for the evaluation, as well as adequate measures for the academic staff who received negative evaluation for two consecutive years.
  6. The evaluation of the academic staff performance is an integral process of establishment the quality assurance system, or self-control and internal quality assurance.
  7. Results of the evaluation of the academic staff performance are to be adequately analyzed by the institution of higher education, and the decision of the head of the organizational unit about the employee’s work performance is an integral part of the personal file of each member of academic staff.

Learning Tips

Engage Actively

Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.

Read and Review Purposefully

Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.

Think Critically in Assignments

Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.

Ask Questions Early

Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.

Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey

Syllabus Last Updated on Mar 03, 2026 | International University of Sarajevo

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Referencing Curricula Print this page

Course Code Course Title Weekly Hours* ECTS Weekly Class Schedule
T P
VA506 Modernity and Modern Art 3 0 6
Prerequisite None It is a prerequisite to -
Lecturer TBA Office Hours / Room / Phone
E-mail TBA
Assistant Assistant E-mail
Course Objectives The course aims to:
1. Examine modernity as a transformative condition within artistic practice rather than solely as a historical period.
2. Investigate the shift from object-based art to conceptual, performative, spatial, and media-based practices.
3. Analyze major developments in post-1945 modernism and postmodernism.
4. Explore how contemporary art redefines medium, materiality, authorship, and spectatorship.
5. Develop students’ theoretical and analytical vocabulary for discussing modern and contemporary art.
Textbook • Foster, Hal et al. Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism. • Lippard, Lucy. Six Years: The Dematerialization of the Art Object.
Additional Literature
  • • Bishop, Claire. Installation Art: A Critical History.
  • • Goldberg, RoseLee. Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present.
  • • Krauss, Rosalind. Passages in Modern Sculpture.
  • • Bourriaud, Nicolas. Relational Aesthetics.
Learning Outcomes After successful  completion of the course, the student will be able to:
  1. Explain modernity as an evolving artistic paradigm within 20th and 21st century art.
  2. Identify and contextualize key movements including Minimalism, Conceptual Art, Performance Art, Video Art, Installation Art, and Postmodern practices.
  3. Analyze artworks using formal, conceptual, and theoretical frameworks.
  4. Critically assess the transition from material object to dematerialized, time-based, and spatial practices.
  5. Construct coherent written and oral arguments about modern and contemporary art.
  6. Evaluate the changing role of the artist, the artwork, and the spectator in late modern and postmodern art.
Teaching Methods • Lectures • Analysis of artworks / in-class analytical exercises • Critical discussions • Student presentations • Organized visits to exhibitions
Teaching Method Delivery Face-to-face Teaching Method Delivery Notes
WEEK TOPIC REFERENCE
Week 1 What Is Modernity in Art?
Week 2 Duchamp and the End of the Traditional Object
Week 3 Modernist Formalism
Week 4 Pop Art & Media Culture
Week 5 Minimalism & Objecthood
Week 6 Conceptual Art
Week 7 Joseph Beuys & Social Sculpture
Week 8 Performance & The Body
Week 9 Fluxus & Event
Week 10 Video Art
Week 11 Installation & Spatial Experience
Week 12 Postmodern Strategies
Week 13 Institutional Critique & the Art System
Week 14 Expanded Sculpture & Contemporary Hybridity
Week 15 /
Assessment Methods and Criteria Evaluation Tool Quantity Weight Alignment with LOs AI Usage
Final Exam 1 100 1 Not Allowed
Semester Evaluation Components
***     ECTS Credit Calculation     ***
 Activity Hours Weeks Student Workload Hours Activity Hours Weeks Student Workload Hours
        Total Workload Hours = 0
*T= Teaching, P= Practice ECTS Credit = 6
Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey Last Update Date: 27/03/2026

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