Art History
Courses
ARTH 101 History of Art I 3.0 Credits
This course explores the history of visual culture from a global perspective from ancient times to the advent of the early modern period, ca. 1400. Selected cultures from around the world will be examined in terms of their regional traditions as well as their impactful interactions with other cultures. The historical use, value, and meaning of images, buildings, and artifacts will be analyzed in relation to social, political, economic, religious, intellectual, technological, and aesthetic developments. Attention will also be paid to how various cultural constructs affect the ways we interpret art.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 102 History of Art II 3.0 Credits
This course explores the history of visual culture from a global perspective during the early modern period, ca. 1400-1850. Selected cultures from across the world will be examined in terms of their regional traditions as well as their impactful interactions with other cultures. The historical use, value, and meaning of visual images, buildings, and artifacts will be analyzed in relation to social, political, economic, religious, intellectual, technological, and aesthetic developments. Attention will also be placed on how various cultural constructs affect the ways we interpret art.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 103 History of Art III 3.0 Credits
This course explores the history of visual culture from a global perspective from the onset of Modernism, ca. 1850, to the present. Selected cultures from across the world will be examined in terms of their regional traditions as well as their impactful interactions with other cultures. The historical use, value, and meaning of visual images, buildings, and artifacts will be analyzed in relation to social, political, economic, religious, intellectual, technological, and aesthetic developments. Attention will also be placed on how various cultural constructs affect the ways we interpret art.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 150 Building Skills in Object Analysis 3.0 Credits
This course introduces students to hands-on methods of object study and to research methods that guide the physical, contextual and interpretive analysis of fabricated objects and structures.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Freshman or Sophomore .
ARTH 200 Principles and Methods of Art History 3.0 Credits
This course will critically examine the interpretive principles and methods that have been used in the discourse of art history from the Renaissance to the present day.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 300 [WI] History of Modern Design 3.0 Credits
Examines the products of applied design during the past 150 years, including examples of furnishings, industrial design, fashion, and graphic design, in relation to demand, technology and production, standards, fine art, social reform, and the dynamics of consumption.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ARTH 301 Asian Art and Culture 3.0 Credits
Explores the diverse visual languages and cultures of Asia including the Buddhist and Hindu traditions from India and Southeast Asia, the imperial art of China with its refined taste for ceramics and painting, and the Japanese.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 302 Art of India 3.0 Credits
This course explores the diverse artistic traditions of the Indian subcontinent from ancient times to the modern period, focusing on the art of the Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic communities. The survey ends with an examination of the colonial, post-colonial and contemporary art scene.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 303 Art of China 3.0 Credits
From the first empires to modern times, this course explores the art of painting ceramics, as well as the sculptural and architectural traditions of China.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 304 Art of Japan 3.0 Credits
This course examines the art of Japan from the Shinto traditional forms to the creation of a Buddhist Japanese idiom, from the courtly and military art to the Zen aesthetics and the establishment of a modern urban culture.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 312 Early Modernism (1850-1900) 3.0 Credits
This course is an introduction to European art of the late nineteenth century, from roughly 1850 to 1900—the decades when modernism exploded. Beginning with a close look at the Realist and Impressionist movements in Paris, we will study the artistic styles, techniques, and materials characteristic of the modern era, as well as the changing social, historical and political circumstances that helped shaped artistic production.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 313 20th Century Modernism (1900-1955) 3.0 Credits
This course will critically examine the development of Modernism in Western art during the first half of the 20th century in light of socio-economic and political factors, philosophical and scientific ideas, technological developments, stylistic movements, and art theories.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 314 Contemporary Art 3.0 Credits
This course will survey current global art production in light of socio-economic and political factors, philosophical and scientific theories, and new approaches to media and technology.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 315 History of African-American Art 3.0 Credits
This course traces the history of African American art, beginning with the African-inspired material culture of slaves, and, later, encompassing the works of formally-trained as well as self-taught painters, sculptors, photographers, and artists working in multimedia up to the present. These works will be situated within the contexts of critical race theory, social and political movements, collectors and patrons, early critics and theorists of the black avant-garde, influential exhibitions, and the opposition between elite and popular cultures.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 316 African Art 3.0 Credits
This course will explore historical and contemporary African sculpture, textiles, painting, drawing, photography and mixed media in relationship to particular themes such as religion, trade, political power and healing. With emphasis on select objects from West and Central Africa, the course will also consider the visual arts in relationship to ideas of improvisation, aesthetics, identity and self-representation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 318 Latin American Art 3.0 Credits
This course serves as an introduction to modern and contemporary art from Latin America. Throughout the term we chart how artists across the Americas have responded to political catalysts like revolution, imperialism, dictatorship, and globalization.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 321 Material Matters in Contemporary Art 3.0 Credits
This course explores how global artists since 1960 have used distinctive materials toward conceptual, political, and aesthetic purposes. Each class focuses on a material or object—whether newspaper, gold, or mirrors—in order to investigate how artists have harnessed that material’s qualities, limitations, and associations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 325 Ancient Greek and Roman Art 3.0 Credits
This course will survey the art produced by the ancient cultures of Greece and Rome, from the archaic period to the fall of the Roman Empire. The art will be considered as an expression of the social, political, economic and intellectual histories of these two civilizations.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 326 Medieval Art 3.0 Credits
This course is a survey of Medieval Art between the 3rd and 14th centuries C.E.. Architecture, mural painting, stained glass, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, enamel, tapestry and other objects of ceremonial and everyday use will be studied as expressions of the political, social, and religious contexts of the time. Emphasis will be placed upon Christian art, but Islamic, Jewish, and secular traditions in the arts will also be examined.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 327 Italian Renaissance Art 3.0 Credits
This course will survey paintings, sculpture, architecture and graphic art from Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries. Artworks will be analyzed not only in terms of their formal characteristics, but also as expressions of concurrent social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical developments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 328 Northern Renaissance 3.0 Credits
This course will survey paintings, sculpture, and graphic arts from Northern Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. Artworks will be analyzed not only in terms of their formal characteristics, but also as expressions of concurrent social, political, economic, religious, and philosophical developments.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 331 [WI] Global Material Culture 3.0 Credits
Understanding “global” geographically and as a method of material culture analysis, this class examines how artifacts accrue new meanings, forms, and agencies as they circulate across cultures, and the social, political, and aesthetic implications of these processes.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ARTH 335 [WI] History of Costume I: Preclassical to 1800 3.0 Credits
Traces the rise of Western costume from the ancient world through 1800, including political, economic, and social influence on aesthetic development in dress.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ARTH 336 [WI] History of Costume II: 1800-1920 3.0 Credits
Traces the history of costume from 1800 through 1920, including the political, economic, and social influence on aesthetic development in dress.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ARTH 337 History of Costume III: 1920 to Present 3.0 Credits
Examines fashion and dress trends from 1920 through the 21st century within their sociocultural, political, and economic contexts. The course also explores how globalization, technology, and mass media impact the aesthetics of dress.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ARTH 340 Women in Art 3.0 Credits
A historical survey of the art created by women in Western civilization, with a special focus upon the art created since the women's movement of the 1970s. Objects are analyzed in relation to the sociopolitical and psychological context of Western, patriarchal culture.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
ARTH 400 Art History Senior Thesis 3.0 Credits
An optional research project written during the senior year under the advisement of a thesis director from among the art history faculty. The thesis student will meet at least once every week with the advisor who will provide direction for their research by helping them to develop a topic, identify appropriate resources, discuss interpretive strategies, determine the expository structure of the paper, and provide clarity on specific requirements for bibliography, illustrations, and a citation system.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ARTH 101 [Min Grade: C+] and ARTH 102 [Min Grade: C+] and ARTH 103 [Min Grade: C+] and ARTH 200 [Min Grade: C+]
ARTH 477 Art History Seminar 3.0 Credits
Provides reading, discussion, and research on pertinent topics in art history.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH I199 Independent Study in Art History 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH I299 Independent Study in Art History 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH I399 Independent Study in Art History 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH I499 Independent Study in Art History 0.5-12.0 Credits
Self-directed within the area of study requiring intermittent consultation with a designated instructor.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH T180 Special Topics in Art History 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH T280 Special Topics in Art History 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH T380 Special Topics in Art History 0.0-12.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
ARTH T480 Special Topics in Art History 3.0 Credits
Topics decided upon by faculty will vary within the area of study.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit