Brilliant Assignment For U-Penn Freshmen: Look At A Painting, Instead of Read A Book

by Judith H. Dobrzynski  •  Aug 13, 2009 at 5:30 am
Cross-posted from ArtsJournal.com

http://www.judithdobrzynski.com/2009/08/brilliant-assignment-for-u-penn-freshmen-look

I nearly hit myself in the head and asked 'why didn't I think of that?' when I learned what the University of Pennsylvania was requiring of its incoming freshman class this year. Furthermore, why didn't anyone else who loves the visual arts? Anyone concerned with arts education? With visual literacy?

Instead of reading a common book, to be discussed on campus, freshmen have been asked to study and be ready to discuss a painting, The Gross Clinic, by Thomas Eakins. ...

...The painting project has its own Web site, complete with Penn-staff lectures on the works and how to analyze a painting, and a zoom feature that allows students to look at the work in detail. The 2,500 freshmen are expected to study the site and be prepared to attend a presentation on the paintings on the Sunday before Labor Day, then break into small groups to discuss it with faculty members. The project is mandatory, but not graded.

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