Syllabus: Monuments, Memorials, and UVa
The activities of Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 included the development of an undergraduate course at the University of Virginia entitled Monuments, Memorials, and UVa (ARTH 2559, taught during Summer Session II by Justin Greenlee; course listing here). The course offers an investigation of monuments and memorials on UVA Grounds and beyond (including the cities of Charlottesville and Richmond, VA). We will study the most recent debates regarding monuments and memorials and issues of history, race, violence, and memory. Discussions of historical context will involve the founding of the University, the Civil War, and the period of enforced racial segregation known as Jim Crow but also extend to current debates regarding monuments and memorials in a changing society. During the four-week session we will spend a considerable amount of time outside of the classroom to ask “big questions” -- What does the commemorative landscape of UVA look like? Who and what is celebrated? What is erased/ lies are being told? By the end of the term students will complete a digital project made available online and, according to its contents, will be presented to President Ryan, the members of the President's Commission on the University in the Age of Segregation, the University Architect, and the Change Agent Commemoration Committee at UVA.