The early decades of the 20th century were transformational for the Western World. Historically, they encompassed World War I and its devastation, the collapse of four empires, a period of great disillusion and a rejection of philosophical and religious values that had preceded the war. Culturally, there was a dramatic departure from traditional art forms and the emergence of Modernism in literature, poetry, dance, the visual arts and film. We will explore the historical, cultural and artistic changes which occurred in this period and their impact on the remainder of the century and on life in the West today.
Read: Rites of Spring – The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age, Modris Eksteins; Modernism and Dance, Terri Mester
This course is offered with the generous support of the Association for Continuing Education.