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Introducing Postmodern Art and Literature: Theories and Practice

By Dr. Purnima, Dr. Varsha Singh   |   Banaras Hindu University
Learners enrolled: 161
ABOUT THE COURSE:
Postmodernism is a broad intellectual movement that emerged in the mid-20th century, challenging the ideas and assumptions of modernism. It is not a single, unified theory but rather a collection of ideas that question established narratives, structures, and truths in various fields such as art, literature, philosophy, architecture, and culture.

Key Features of Postmodernism:
Usually, postmodern art and literature are read separately but they are entwined with each other inextricably, this course tries to bridge that gap
1.Scepticism of Grand Narratives
Postmodernism critiques "grand narratives" (or metanarratives)—overarching, universal explanations like progress, science, or enlightenment—that claim to explain all aspects of life or history. Postmodernists argue that these narratives often ignore diversity and marginalize alternative perspectives.
2.Relativity of Truth
Postmodernism emphasizes the subjective nature of truth, arguing that what is considered "true" depends on cultural, historical, and personal contexts. It challenges the idea of objective or absolute truth.
3.Intertextuality and Fragmentation
In literature and art, postmodernism often features fragmented structures, non-linear narratives, and a focus on intertextuality—the idea that texts and cultural products reference and influence each other.
4.Playfulness and Irony
Postmodern works often incorporate humor, parody, and irony, breaking traditional conventions and blurring the boundaries between "high" and "low" culture.
5.Decentralization of Authority
Postmodernism questions authority and traditional hierarchies, advocating for a plurality of voices, perspectives, and interpretations.
6.Focus on Language and Representation
Drawing on ideas from linguistics and philosophy, postmodernists argue that language shapes our reality. They emphasize that representations (in media, literature, and culture) are not neutral but are constructed and often ideological.

Key Thinkers:
  • Jean-François Lyotard: Defined postmodernism as an "incredulity toward metanarratives."
  • Jacques Derrida: Developed deconstruction, a method of analyzing texts to reveal hidden assumptions and contradictions.
  • Michel Foucault: Explored the relationship between knowledge, power, and social institutions.
  • Fredric Jameson: Analyzed postmodernism as a cultural condition linked to late capitalism.
Examples in Art and Culture:
  • Literature: Works like Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut or Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace often reflect postmodern themes of fragmentation and irony.
  • Visual Art: Artists like Andy Warhol blurred the lines between commercial and fine art, using mass production techniques to challenge artistic conventions.
In essence, postmodernism is both a critique of modernist ideals and a response to the complexity of the contemporary world, celebrating diversity, ambiguity, and the breakdown of traditional boundaries


INTENDED AUDIENCE: MA and Ph.D. students of Painting and English and BFA and MFA students of BHU and other universities
Summary
Course Status : Upcoming
Course Type : Elective
Language for course content : English
Duration : 4 weeks
Category :
  • Arts
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit Points : 1
Level : Undergraduate/Postgraduate
Start Date : 18 Aug 2025
End Date : 12 Sep 2025
Enrollment Ends : 18 Aug 2025
Exam Registration Ends : 29 Aug 2025
Exam Date : 24 Oct 2025 IST
NCrF Level   : 7.0 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.


Page Visits



Course layout

Week 1:  Bricolage and Cubism

Week 2: Expressionism and Minimalism

Week 3: Surrealism and Dadaism

Week 4: Pop Art and Futurism

Books and references

1.Michel Foucault, “’Nietzsche, Genealogy, History’ From ‘Truth and Power.’ In ed., Lawrence Cahoon, From Modernism to Postmodernism. An Anthology: 241- 253  7
2.Fredric Jameson, “Excerpts from ‘Postmodernism, or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism.’” In Joseph Natoli and Linda Hutcheon, eds., A Postmodern Reader. Albany, N.Y.: State University of New York, 1993: 312-332.  
3.Jean François Lyotard, “’From The Postmodern Condition: A Report on Knowledge.’” In Lawrence Cahoon, From Modernism to Postmodernism. An Anthology. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing, 2003:259-277. 
4.Fredric Jameson, “Thinking the Present Historically.” In Postmodernism or the Cultural Logic of Late Capitalism. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1991: 279-296.
5. Mulvey, Laura. “Some Thoughts on Fetishism in the Context of Contemporary Culture.” October 65 (1993): 3-20. 
6.Judith Butler, “Contingent Foundations: Feminism and the Question of ‘Postmodernism.’” In ed., Lawrence Cahoon, From Modernism to Postmodernism. An Anthology: 390-401. 
7.Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer: “The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception.” Dialectic of Enlightenment: Philosophical Fragments [1944], edited by GunzelinSchmidNoerr, translated by Edmund Jephcott,Stanford UP, 2002, pp. 94-136. 
8.History of Modern Art by H.H. Arnason
9.History of Art by H. W. Jhonson
10.यूरोपीयर्चत्रकलाकाइर्तहासby R. V. Sakhalkar.
11.2. पर्श्चमकीर्चत्रकलाby Ashok
12.John Russell : The Word of Matisse, New York Time Life Book 1969
13.Shone Richard :Post-impressionist London 1979 Octopus Books
14.Frank Whiteford “Kandinsky, Hamlyn Publ Group Ltd. January 1969
15.Cirlot-Juan Eduardo: Picasso Birth of Geniush=, New York, Praeger 1972
16.William S. Rubin: Dada, Surrealism and their heritage The Museum of Modern Art New York 1968
17.Hans Richter: Dada Art and Anti-Art Themes and Hudson 2016

Instructor bio

Dr. Purnima

Banaras Hindu University
Dr. Purnima, Assistant Professor of English in Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Kamachha, Varanasi, India is an author of several books: In Search of (Me)aning: A Collection of Poems ISBN: (978-1948-390668) published by Pen It! Publications, USA (2018) and has co-authored a book titled Dararon Ki Roshni (2024) published by IIP publications and Mirari: A Collection of Poems ISBN (978-93-87230-59-0) published by Pigeon Books India, New Delhi (2019) and has co-edited a book Tribes of India (2024) published by IIP publishers. Her Ph.D. dissertation on Consumer Capitalism and Nature in the Fiction of Ron Rash is a critique of profiteering and greed in a capitalist economy. She is a lover of beauty and nature and was deeply moved by landscape-mysticism and eco-spirituality while she was working on her thesis. A bi-lingual writer, she voices her concern for the conservation of nature and women rights in several of her papers published in various reputed indexed International Journals and Books in Hindi and English. She has teaching experience of 10 years at VKM.


Dr. Varsha Singh

Dr. Varsha Singh is currently working as Assistant Professor of Painting at Vasant Kanya Mahavidyalaya, prior to this she was working at Kanpur University, Her Ph.D dissertation is based on Jagannath Muralidhar Ahivasi who belonged to Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, from where his father had migrated to Porbandar, Gujarat. Along with being a follower of the Vallabh sect, he was also an expert in the worship methods and art culture of Vaishnav temples. J. M. Ahivasi was a pioneer of Indian art renaissance in western India. His art is imbued with Indianness, incorporating Indian values and artistic characteristics. Ahiwasi was an expert in western art and Indian art style. Her dissertation presents a detailed analysis of the biography of JM Ahivasi, the art trends of that period, and his contribution to the Indian art field. Along with it her research papers are published in several reputed international journals and books.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.
The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).
Date and Time of Exams: 24 October 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.
Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.
The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.
Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 3 assignments out of the total 4 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup. It will have the logos of INI and BHU.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- INI team


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