Courses
ARTH-101. Art And Society. 3 Hours.
Study the function of art in a variety of cultures with specific reference to American culture. Application of insights gained through inter-cultural analysis of contemporary issues. Slide lectures, films, gallery and museum visits.
ARTH-106. Introduction To Art History I. 3 Hours.
A survey of the visual arts from ancient to medieval times, emphasizing the major styles in their historical contexts. Introduces the basic qualities of each medium, the descriptive and critical vocabulary of art history, and the concepts of style, subject matter and content in the visual arts. Topics include the patronage of, and audience for, art; the changing social status of the artist; and the social, political and religious functions of art and architecture. Slide lectures and museum assignments.
ARTH-107. Introduction To Art History II. 3 Hours.
A survey of the visual arts from renaissance to modern times, emphasizing the major styles in their historical contexts. Introduces the basic qualities of each medium, the descriptive and critical vocabulary of art history, and the concepts of style, subject matter, and content in the visual arts. Topics include the patronage of, and audience for, art; the changing social status of the artist; and the social, political and religious functions of art and architecture. Slide lectures and museum assignments.
ARTH-108. Survey Of World Arts. 3 Hours.
This course is a survey of artistic traditions of Africa, Oceania, Asia, and the Americas, emphasizing their cultural and historical contexts. It introduces a wide variety of perspectives that inform the style, subject matter, and content of art, architecture and material culture. Topics will reflect the richness and diversity of the arts in these regions.
ARTH-202. Writing Intensive Program: Methods Of Research In Art History. 3 Hours.
This course is a focused and in-depth study of art historical research and methodology. It includes a critical review of the history of art historical studies, presentations on research methods for primary and secondary resources, and a systematic consideration of art historical methodology. Special attention is given to the critical and theoretical approaches of the "new" art history. The course is conducted in an informal seminar format with slide presentations and classroom discussions of artworks and required readings. It fulfills the university writing intensive requirement within the major.
Requirement: one 300-level ARTH course minimum grade of C
Prerequisite: ENGL-101 with a minimum grade of C and ARTH-106 with a minimum grade of C and ARTH-107 with a minimum grade of C.
ARTH-300. Contemporary Art. 3 Hours.
This course examines American and European painting, sculpture, and related artworks from 1950 to the present. The major artists and styles of the period are presented chronologically and discussed in the context of contemporary culture and events. Other topics include the development of new media, the relationship of art to politics, the major critical and theoretical approaches to contemporary art, the concept of postmodernism in the visual arts, and the rise of the art market and its relationship to the avant-garde.
ARTH-305. Ancient Mesoamerican Art & Architecture. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to the art and architecture of ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica. We will discuss the art of the Olmec, Teotihuacan, Maya, and the Aztec Empire. The course focuses on the styles and iconography of these civilizations and takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine the function and symbolism of the works.
ARTH-306. Ancient South American Art & Architecture. 3 Hours.
This course is an introduction to the art of the ancient civilizations that inhabited the Andean region (primarily Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia). Since these cultures did not develop a written language, information about their worldview and religious practices comes from their art and the archaeological record. The course focuses on the styles and iconography of these civilizations and takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine the function and symbolism of the works.
ARTH-306T. Peru Study Tour. 3 Hours.
This course is designed as a seminar that culminates in a Study Tour to Peru. Students will be able to explore the arts in Lima and Cusco while discussing important issues regarding the establishment of museum collections, the looting of ancient objects, the production of art forgeries, and the role of ancient art in Peruvian tourism.
ARTH-307. Art Of Latin America (1810-Present). 3 Hours.
This course covers the art of Latin America from the period of Independence to the present. The focus will be primarily on the arts of Mexico and South America, although some time will be dedicated to movements in Cuba and Haiti as well. Topics include: Romanticism in Latin America, Modernismo, Mexican Muralism, Indigenismo, Constructivism, Surrealism, Concrete and Neo-Concrete Art, Geometric art, Optical and Kinetic art, Conceptual and Political Art, and contemporary issues.
ARTH-308. Art And Ritual: African, Oceanic, And Native North American Art. 3 Hours.
This is an interdisciplinary course that will engage students in the study of artistic traditions outside of the Western world. Students will examine the relationship between art and ritual through specific case studies, with an emphasis on African, Oceanic, and Native North American traditions. Topics may include: art and rites of passage, masking and performance, and the use of objects as mediators with the supernatural realm.
ARTH-309. Asian Art. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on the arts of India, China and Japan. Lectures discuss representative works in painting, sculpture, architecture, calligraphy and decorative arts from each of these areas as well as the cultural and historical context in which they were created.
ARTH-310. Early Christian And Byzantine Art. 3 Hours.
Study of the arts from the early Christian period to the end of the Byzantine Empire in the east: stylistic and iconographic development of architecture, painting, sculpture, manuscript illustration and minor arts in context of contemporary politics and religion.
ARTH-311. Medieval Art of the West. 3 Hours.
This course examines the history of medieval western European art and architecture from the sixth to the fifteenth century. The major works, styles, and regions of this period are presented chronologically and discussed within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. Works of architecture are analyzed for style, function, materials, and structure. Special attention is given to the political and religious institutions, the religious and philosophical trends, and the social structures that shaped medieval art, architecture, and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-312. Italian Renaissance Art. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on the history of Italian art from the fourteenth century to the early sixteenth century. The major artists, styles, and regions are presented chronologically and considered within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The social status of the artist and the patronage of works of art during this period are discussed, and special attention is given to the political and religious institutions, the religious and philosophical trends, and the social structures that shaped Italian Renaissance art and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-312T. Study Tour In Italy: Venice, Florence, Rome. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on Italian art from 1300 to 1550. It includes a two-week study tour to Venice, Florence, and Rome. The major artists, styles, and regions are presented chronologically and considered within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The social status of the artist and the patronage of art during this period are discussed, and special attention is given to the political and religious institutions, the religious and philosophical trends, and the social structures that shaped Italian Renaissance art and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-313. Art Of The United States Of America. 3 Hours.
This course examines the history of painting and sculpture in the United States from colonial times to World War II. The major artists and styles are presented chronologically and considered within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The changing roles of artists and patrons are discussed, along with the complex relationship of American art to European art and culture. Special attention is given to the political institutions, the religious and philosophical trends, and the social structures that shaped American art and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-316. Seventeenth Century European Art. 3 Hours.
This course examines the history of European painting and sculpture of the seventeenth century. The major works, artists, styles, and regions are presented chronologically and discussed within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The social status of the artist, the mechanisms of patronage, and the location and function of works of art are discussed. Special attention is given to the political and religious institutions, the religious and philosophical trends, and the social structures that shaped the art and aesthetic theory of the period.
ARTH-318. 19th Century European Art. 3 Hours.
This course investigates the history of nineteenth-century western European painting and sculpture. The major works, artists, styles, and countries are presented chronologically and discussed within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The rise of the avant-garde, the decline of the art academies, and the beginnings of the commercial gallery system are discussed. Special attention is given to the political institutions, the philosophical and intellectual trends, and the social structures that shaped nineteenth-century European art and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-319. European Art 1900-1950. 3 Hours.
This course focuses on European painting and sculpture from 1900 to 1950. The major works, artists, styles, and countries are presented chronologically and discussed within the context of the culture and events of the day. Individual works of art are analyzed for style, subject matter, iconography, and content. The rise of the avant-garde is discussed, as are the decline of the traditional art academies, the beginnings of the commercial gallery system, and the introduction of new media. Special attention is given to the political circumstances, the intellectual trends, and the historical events that shaped the art and aesthetic theory.
ARTH-360. History Of Photography: 1820's To Present. 3 Hours.
Students investigate the history of photography, including social, aesthetic, theoretical, and technical aspects, through lectures, discussions, field trips to relevant photographic exhibitions, readings, group projects, writing assignments, and/or exams.
Prerequisite: (100 - 399 or 100A - 399Z).
ARTH-3901. Independent Study In Art History. 1 Hour.
Independent Study is available for juniors and seniors who are prepared to formulate and execute an independent research project in Art History, working under the direction of a faculty member. Students are expected to write a research paper. Independent Studies require the approval of a faculty mentor, the Art Department chair and the College Dean.
Requirement: at least one 300-level ARTH course minimum grade of B
Prerequisite: ARTH-106 with a minimum grade of C and ARTH-107 with a minimum grade of C.
ARTH-3902. Independent Study In Art History. 2 Hours.
Independent Study is available for juniors and seniors who are prepared to formulate and execute an independent research project in Art History, working under the direction of a faculty member. Students are expected to write a research paper. Independent Studies require the approval of a faculty mentor, the Art Department chair and the College Dean.
Requirement: at least one 300-level ARTH course minimum grade of B
Prerequisite: ARTH-106 with a minimum grade of C and ARTH-107 with a minimum grade of C.
ARTH-3903. Independent Study In Art History. 3 Hours.
Independent Study is available for juniors and seniors who are prepared to formulate and execute an independent research project in Art History, working under the direction of a faculty member. Students are expected to write a research paper. Independent Studies require the approval of a faculty mentor, the Art Department chair and the College Dean.
Requirement: at least one 300-level ARTH course minimum grade of B
Prerequisite: ARTH-106 with a minimum grade of C and ARTH-107 with a minimum grade of C.
ARTH-3931. Art History/ Museum Studies Internship. 1 Hour.
This internship allows students to get supervised professional experience in an art museum, gallery, or arts center. Hands-on experience may include: art handling, cataloguing, exhibition installation, research, acting as docents for exhibitions, writing and editing informational materials, press releases, and proposals, as well as participating in the daily operations of a museum, gallery, or arts center. The course can be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Requirement: the approval of the instructor and the department chair, and the consent of the museum, gallery, or arts center staff
Prerequisites: ARTH-106 and ARTH-107 and (ARTH-300 - 392 or ARTH-300A - 392Z).
ARTH-3932. Art History/ Museum Studies Internship. 2 Hours.
This internship allows students to get supervised professional experience in an art museum, gallery, or arts center. Hands-on experience may include: art handling, cataloguing, exhibition installation, research, acting as docents for exhibitions, writing and editing informational materials, press releases, and proposals, as well as participating in the daily operations of a museum, gallery, or arts center. The course can be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Requirement: the approval of the instructor and the department chair, and the consent of the museum, gallery, or arts center staff
Prerequisites: ARTH-106 and ARTH-107 and (ARTH-300 - 392 or ARTH-300A - 392Z).
ARTH-3933. Art History/ Museum Studies Internship. 3 Hours.
This internship allows students to get supervised professional experience in an art museum, gallery, or arts center. Hands-on experience may include: art handling, cataloguing, exhibition installation, research, acting as docents for exhibitions, writing and editing informational materials, press releases, and proposals, as well as participating in the daily operations of a museum, gallery, or arts center. The course can be repeated up to a maximum of 6 credits.
Requirement: the approval of the instructor and the department chair, and the consent of the museum, gallery, or arts center staff
Prerequisites: ARTH-106 and ARTH-107 and (ARTH-300 - 392 or ARTH-300A - 392Z).