LARTS 470 — The Arts and Society

3 credits
Fall
Damian Woetzel

Prerequisite: LARTS 112 . This survey course examines the intersection of arts and society, looking specifically at the role of arts and artists in addressing issues facing the world today. Through extensive reading lists, case studies, individual and group projects, and conversations with distinguished guests, we will explore areas including but not limited to law, health care, education, science, and civic participation to consider our ideal version of a collective future and how we might use arts, creativity, and culture to help get us there. Past guests have included Oskar Eustis (Artistic Director at the Public Theater), Sarah Lewis (author, curator, and Harvard University Assistant Professor in the Department of History of Art and Architecture and the Department of African and African American Studies), Vijay Gupta (violinist, social justice advocate, and 2018 John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Fellow), Caroline Shaw (Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, vocalist, violinist, and producer), Eric Liu (writer, educator, and founder of Citizen University), John Heginbotham (choreographer, performer, and founding teacher of Dance for PD), and Jeannie Suk Gersen (Harvard Law School John H. Watson, Jr. Professor of Law). Open to 3rd- and 4th-year undergraduates and cross-listed as graduate elective; preference given to graduate students.