Lesson 2: Art as Inquiry, Criticizing Today's Political Cartoons

Introduction

Political cartoons, just as paintings, can be judged. Since the cartoon is an instrument for change, the content or message of the cartoon becomes an important means for determining the value of the work. The drawing/painting is also important, particularly as it communicates the artist's meaning.

OBJECTIVES

In this chapter you will:

• Search newspapers, magazines, and the web for compelling political cartoons
  
• Select 5 cartoons that you find most effective and answer questions about what they communicate and the intentions of the artists
  
• Use the "aesthetic scanning" system to write a critical report on your favorite cartoon

This will satisfy Arizona Visual Art Standards 3AV-P2, P3, P5

For extra credit you are encouraged to write a paper comparing the visual impact of a cartoon with the impact of a persuasive written work on the same subject, such as a newspaper article, an essay, or a novel. This will satisfy Standard 3AV-P4.