AHIS UN3410

I learned a lot about critical race theory as it pertains to ultra-contemporary art.

Benelli is a very nice guy, always willing and eager to answer questions, and knows just about EVERYTHING about Italian Renaissance architecture. Nonetheless, I would be lying if I didn't say that this class made me want to scream. As others have said, it was basically one big, fruitless exercise in slide memorization. The lectures were too focused on minutia and included almost no theory of any kind. The quantity of slides we were expected to memorize for the exams was simply unreasonable, particularily as there was no slide list, the slides we did have were often not labeled, and Prof Benelli often neglected to give us the name of the architect, date, etc during the lecture, meaning, I guess, that we were supposed to look them all up on our own. I studied like I have never studied before for the exams and still found them to be quite difficult. However, Benelli clearly uses a big curve in the end, because while I got a B- on the midterm and couldnt have done much better on the final, I somehow ended up with an A in the class. My advice: only take this class if you TRULY have a STRONG interest in Renaissance architecture.

I learned about various themes in contemporary art, and to trust my own intuitions when it comes to viewing contemporary art in galleries.

Workload=studyload. There is a 4 page paper due towards the beginning of the semester (the timing of which I think was very well-placed) and readings which weren't particularly necessary. The midterm required an enormous amount of studying and the final required an obscene amount of studying. It's manageable if you start in advance, esp. for the final.

amazing readings but discussions can vary in quality

Very good class taught by an excellent professor. Prof. Benelli knows an enormous amount about the Italian Renaissance and gets very excited about having students appreciate it/understand it as well. He is always willing to meet with students in office hours or hours outside of office hours and treats students with respect. Francesco does have an accent, but it is pretty easy to get used to and offers a dimension of authenticity to the class (Italian prof teaching Italian RA). The lectures were ok to follow, but I would recommend taking notes on a lap-top to keep up with the ideas and analyses Francesco provides at lightening-speed.

This class is great, I feel I look at contemporary art differently. But discussions would be much better in person and I also think the "going to museums exhibits together" as a class is a crucial part of these types of course and would help build relationships that would strengthen the comfortability of people to participate. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2021 Course: AHISUN3410_001_2021_1-APPROACHESTOCONTEMPORARYART : AHISUN3410_001_2021_1 - APPROACHES TO CONTEMPORARY ART Instructor: Branden Joseph

One paper, one midterm, one final. Tests consist of memorizing info on buildings, and a very short essay. Readings....honestly not necessary for good performance in the class.

This course broadened my understanding of the diverse and depth of topics that encapsulate the contemporary art period.

This class was great. Benelli really knows his stuff and has a lot of interesting facts to enliven the subject. Some of the lectures get very detailed oriented on things architects might be interested in, but since I'm I wasn't, but thats only a few lectures. His accent is not hard to get used to and gives the class more authenticity, since this is an Italian teaching about Italian RA. He is very smart and fair grader. Everything you need to know for his tests will be covered in class and a quick read over a website on architecture if you havnt been exposed to it before.