Art History Courses Offered
The art history courses provide strong support to the studio art areas by offering a wide variety of courses from surveys to advanced period and topics courses. The study of art history develops critical inquiry and analytical thinking in relation to a variety of historical periods, styles, and themes . Most upper level courses involve art historical research and writing experience. A minor is offered in art history.
115 Introduction to Art History
A thematic course examining the complex relationship of artist, work of art, and audience over time and across cultures. Students will consider a select group of works in an effort to develop the ability to engage visual "texts" in an analytical and critical manner. Fulfills general education requirements for The Arts category. Offered annually.
116 Survey of Asian Art
A course designed to give the student an overview of the history of Asian Art. The course will concentrate study on the artistic traditions of India, China, and Japan. Offered occasionally.
300 Art Theory and Criticism
An introduction to theoretical and critical essays. Practice in the application of theoretical perspectives to critical analyses of specific visual artworks. Offered each spring.
307 Art Aegean Bronze Age: Art and Archaeology
Cross-listed with Classical Studies 307. A slide-illustrated examination of the archaeology of Greece in the Bronze Age (c. 3000-1100 B.C.), focusing on the art, architecture, and other physical evidence of the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures on the mainland, Cycladic islands, Crete, and Asia Minor (Troy). Do the heroic myths of the Greeks cloud or enrich our understanding of early Greek culture? How far has the profession come since 1868 when wealthy amateur archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, believing the accounts of Homer, found Troy at Hissarlik, Turkey? In consultation with the instructor, a variety of student projects will be possible, including a computer program, making a work of art, and/or writing a formal paper. Offered in alternate years.
309 Classical Greek Art and Architecture
Cross-listed with Classical Studies 307. An introduction to the monuments, sculpture, and painting of the so-called "Golden Age" of Classical Greece (c. 480-330 BC) in order that they develop an understanding and appreciation of classical Greek artistic expression, its influences, and its impact on Western art and thought. The growth and development of cities and religious sanctuaries including Athens, Olympia, Delphi, Eleusis, and Aegina will be examined with a view to understanding the society that produced such art and architecture. The course will be taught using the Perseus 2.0 CD-ROM Program for Macintosh for lecture and assignments. In consultation with the instructor, a variety of student projects will be possible, including creating a computer program, making a work of art, and/or writing a formal paper. Offered in alternate years.
316 Enlightenment to Manet
An examination of the painting & sculpture, and graphic art produced in Europe and the United States from the mid-eighteenth century through the 1860s. Special attention will be given to neoclassicism, romanticism, and realism, concluding with the changes suggested by the revolutionary painting of Edouard Manet. Offered in alternate years.
318 Manet to Dada
An examination of the painting, sculpture, and graphic art produced in Europe and the United States during the later 19th and early 20th centuries. Special attention will be given to the emergence of impressionism, followed by the major modernist movements including postimpressionism, symbolism, expressionism, cubism, and dada. Offered in alternate years.
320 Surrealism to Pop Art
An examination of the art produced in Europe and the United States between the end of the First World War and the early 1960s. Special attention will be given to American scene painting, surrealism, abstract expressionism, tachisme, post-WWII figuration, New Realism, and the roots of pop art. Fulfills general education requirements for The Arts category. Offered each fall.
322 Contemporary Art: Pop to the Present
An examination of the art produced in Europe and the United States since the early 1960s. Special attention will be given to pop art, minimalism, conceptualism, feminist art, photo realism, neo-expressionism, and new image art. Prerequisite: 320. Offered each spring.
325 Modern Architecture
An examination of nineteenth and twentieth century architecture in Europe and the United States. Special attention will be given to select structural themes (exposition design, visions of home, architecture of commerce, design and technology, etc.) as well as major monuments, architects, and movements. Fulfills general education requirements for The Arts category. Offered in alternate years.
380 Special Topics in Art History
A course which may vary in content with each offering. The central focus may be on one or more art movements, particular artistic problems or concepts, time periods or geographical locations which are more or less narrowly defined, or on the work of an individual artist. Each course offering under this title bears a subtitle which indicates the specific subject matter and the type of course experience that is planned. May be repeated for credit if course content is not duplicated. Offered occasionally.
450 Advanced Studies in Art History
A seminar which may vary with each offering. Topics may include specified historical styles, movements, individuals, or problems in the field. Prerequisites: 115 and one other upper-level art history; or consent of instructor. Offered occasionally.