Meeting Time & Location:

 Asynchronous: Wednesdays 5:30-7:20: this is time for you to work on asynchronous lessons (see calendar below). Note: you will likely need to spend additional time outside of this window to complete asynchronous assignments.

Synchronous: Mondays 5:30-7:20: this is when we will have live zoom lectures.

Zoom Link for Synchronous Lecture Meetings: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/78130329127

Meeting ID: 781 3032 9127 (No passcode needed)

Course Description:

This combined synchronous-lecture and asynchronous-exploration course surveys the role of the functional arts in the formation of cultural identity in Western Civilization from Ancient Egypt through today. Occupying that tenuous space between fine art and the everyday, functional art refers to aesthetic objects that serve utilitarian purposes such as clothing, architecture, furniture and functional design.

While examining the specific cultural, socio-economic, and political functions of these objects, we will investigate the multifaceted ways that shifting concepts of gender, religion, status, and place have informed history and visual arts in the west.

Office Hours and Contact: Office Hours are by appointment only; please e-mail or text Kira directly at kfranzknight@gmail.com or 562-253-1052. I generally respond within a couple of hours.

Required Reading:

There is no single textbook for this course, but rather recommended History of Clothing, Architecture, and Design books that you might want to purchase (see the list of recommended books on this canvas page). We will also read excerpts from scholarly texts, museum didactics, articles on material culture, etc. These will be made available on canvas.

Course Policies:

• Please arrive on-time to synchronous zoom class meetings and be ready to take notes.
• Lecture images will be made available after each Monday synchronous class meeting; however, no notes will be provided, so please check in with your colleagues to get notes.
• Please text or e-mail me if you anticipate an absence or need extra help with the course work.

Course Pacing Calendar (please note: this calendar is tentative and subject to change based on student needs and at instructor’s discretion. Please check Canvas for announcements regarding any changes.)

Access and Accommodations:

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodation with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course. If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-542-8924 or uwdrs@uw.edu or disability.uw.edu. DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students.

Covid-19 Self-Care: These are difficult times, and we want to accommodate students as best we can.  The university has resources for health and wellness and are available if you feel the need (https://wellbeing.uw.edu/topic/mental-health/ ).   If you are experiencing technical difficulties with remote classes, please alert me to discuss accommodations.  Most importantly, take your self-care seriously.

Access to technology: If you need access to laptops, internet access, and other technology, please visit this website to make arrangements: https://webster.uaa.washington.edu/asp/website/online-learning/technology-access/

Religious Accommodations: Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).

Guidance for Students Taking Courses Outside the United States: Faculty members at U.S. universities – including the University of Washington – have the right to academic freedom which includes presenting and exploring topics and content that other governments may consider to be illegal and, therefore, choose to censor. Examples may include topics and content involving religion, gender and sexuality, human rights, democracy and representative government, and historic events.

If, as a UW student, you are living outside of the United States while taking courses remotely, you are subject to the laws of your local jurisdiction. Local authorities may limit your access to course material and take punitive action towards you. Unfortunately, the University of Washington has no authority over the laws in your jurisdictions or how local authorities enforce those laws.

If you are taking UW courses outside of the United States, you have reason to exercise caution when enrolling in courses that cover topics and issues censored in your jurisdiction. If you have concerns regarding a course or courses that you have registered for, please contact your academic advisor who will assist you in exploring options.