Since the 1960s, artists have increasingly used visual art to question the very foundation of the world we live in. Through site-specific research and visual projects, this course will teach students how to use the practice of visual art to raise big questions about our world and how its systems (political, economic, technological, etc.) do or do not serve our best interests. Students will be introduced to the work of conceptual artists such as Trevor Paglen, Forensic Architecture, Carolyn Lazard, and Park MacArthur, who examine technological, political and economic themes through research in order to produce meaningful installations. Students will participate in a combination of research, critical thinking, visual art making, group critiques, and visiting exhibitions of contemporary artists working in the field today. Previous art or art history experience is encouraged but not required.