The Art History Program

ART HISTORY

The Art History program is designed to provide students a challenging environment to study great works of art and architecture primarily within the Western tradition. Students are also given the opportunity to incorporate courses on the art and architecture of Asia.

The foundation course is AH 103A Art of the Western World where emphasis is placed on broadly evaluating art in terms of style, purpose, subject matter, and historical context. Students develop a comprehensive understanding of the history of art, build their art historical vocabulary, and become proficient in the basic skills of formal analysis. With this base of knowledge, students then progress into any of the specialized studies of art and architecture. These advanced courses are especially designed to hone students' written and spoken analytical and comparative skills, and to engage them in thorough investigations of major movements and styles of art as well as the numerous historical, political, religious, social, economic, psychological, and/or environmental forces that shaped them.

Students may earn a minor in art history. The minor requires successful completion of Art of the Western World and five additional approved art history (AH) courses, only two of which may be at the 200 level. Coursework in art history taken overseas or at other institutions may also qualify but is subject to the approval of discipline faculty.

Courses

AH 103A: Art of the Western World
Introductory course covering the major periods of western art history from its inception to the present-day. Discussion of major works from each era provides information about the cultures and highlights achievements of outstanding artists.

AH 201A: U.S. Art and Architecture
An exploration of the major areas of the visual arts in the U.S. from the colonial period to the present. An American Studies related course.

AH 203A: Arts of the Silk Road
A survey of the arts and material culture of the golden age of the Silk Road caravan trade between China, India, and Persia. Emphasis is placed on Chinese arts, especially through Buddhist painting and sculpture.

AH 204A: Art History of the Classical World
Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures are examined through developments in architecture, sculpture, painting, and small art. The archaeological record and ancient texts are studied alongside contemporary issues regarding the study, exploitation, and protection of antiquities.

AH 208A: History of Architecture
Introductory survey of architectural history from prehistory to today. Though emphasis is placed on the history of built forms from the West, comparisons will be made to architectural monuments from other areas of the globe.

AH 209A: Ancient Art
A global survey of ancient art including prehistoric art and the art of Mesopotamia, the Aegean, Greece, Etruria, Rome, Egypt, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Korea, Islam, Africa, and the Americas.

AH 221A: Art of Japan
Major epochs of Japanese art history from its beginnings in the Jomon period to today. Discussion of major works from each era provides information about Japanese culture and highlights achievements of outstanding artists.

AH 223A: Ancient Art
A global survey of ancient art including prehistoric art and the art of Mesopotamia, the Aegean, Greece, Etruria, Rome, Egypt, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, Korea, Islam, Africa and the Americas.

AH 248A: Hist/Apprec - Modern Painting
European painting from Monet through the 1980's, providing the student with a knowledge of the progress and fluctuations in painting, the relationship of the art with the larger events of the period, a knowledge of the various schools and institutional groupings of artists, the ability to analyze and appreciate a painting, familiarity with the lives and personalities of the painters, and finally, the opportunity to be enchanted.

AH 317: American Art
This course is primarily an in-depth study of American painting from its genesis to the present though major monuments in sculpture and architecture are also highlighted. Prerequisite: AH 103A.

AH 319: Nineteenth-Century Art
Study of nineteenth-century painting and sculpture focusing primarily on France. Artistic achievements of countries such as England, Germany, Italy, and the United States are also examined. Prerequisite: AH 103A.

AH 320: Twentieth-Century Art
This course covers major developments in the visual arts from 1900 to the end of the twentieth century with a focus on modernism and postmodernism in the United States and Europe. Prerequisite: AH 103A.

AH 321: Topics in Contemporary Art
This course addresses recent global developments in art from 1980 to the present; focus on particular artists, works, and movements will vary. Prerequisite: AH 103A.

AH 322: History of Photography
This course is an overview of the history of photography from the nineteenth century up to today. Prerequisite: AH 103A or AR 229A.

AH 333: Museum Studies Exhibit Culture
This course will introduce students to the institution of the museum and its distinctive roll in presenting, transforming, and maintaining cultural understandings through the use of material culture. Students will study local museum exhibits and create one of their own. Students will visit area museums for some classes and will be responsible for admission fees.

AH 341A: Medieval-Renais Art & Architec
In 13th century Italy a revolution in the artistic imagination took place which profoundly conditioned the art of the West for the next 600 years. Out of an understanding of the works and imaginative vision behind the works, assessment of the character of the change in vision and artistic production from medieval to Renaissance art and architecture.