Most histories of Modernism prioritize a narrative of the avant-garde’s stylistic experimentation and evolution. Rather than focus mostly on style, this class will consider Modernism as a largely urban phenomena. The city, which is a constructed and heavily symbolic environment, produces certain experiences and conditions certain social relationships to which Modern Art has long oriented itself. This course will consider the city as both subject and condition in the production and spread of Modern and Contemporary Art. We will begin with the great urbanization of the 19 th century and the new viewing subject it produced. We will then consider ways that artists have used the city, either by representing it –the avant-garde movements of the 19 th century provide a starting point – or by incorporating it – for example, artists from the Surrealists to the Situationists have used the city as a ready-made game board, with elements of chance and randomness built in. Finally, we will consider the continued relevance of the city in the interplay between globalized art culture and localized experience in contemporary art. Through critical readings from art history, philosophy, sociology and psychogeography, students will be asked to consider their own experiences of cities and the way they respond to the urban environment.