ARTH 100 Survey of Western Art IThis course is the first half of a two-part survey designed to introduce students to the historical and intellectual content of Western art. The class focuses on painting, sculpture and architecture from the Paleolithic to the late Gothic period in Europe as presented in terms of history, style, meaning and social context.
ARTH 110 Survey of Western Art IIThis course is the second half of a two-part survey designed to introduce students to the historical and intellectual content of Western art. The class focuses on painting, sculpture and architecture from the Renaissance to the Modern period in Europe and the Americas as presented in terms of history, style, meaning and social context. Prerequisite: ARTH 100.
ARTH 204 Baroque and Rococo ArtThis course introduces students to the art and architecture of 17th- and 18th-century Europe. Individual artists are considered in view of their particular contributions to their cultures as well as their international influence. The course examines the relationship between science, religion, politics and the arts during this critical phase of history. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 205 19th-century ArtThis course analyzes the innovative forms of art and culture that led to new ways for artists to view society and their place within it. Consideration is given to the influences of technology, politics, literature and music on painting and sculpture. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 207 20th-century ArtThis course provides an in-depth analysis of the work of such revolutionary 20th-century artists as Matisse, Picasso, Duchamp, Pollock, Smithson and Beuys. A series of lectures is accompanied by slides and class discussions. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 209 Renaissance ArtThis course provides an overview of the Renaissance, focusing on the role of patronage, the purpose and function of major works of the period; and the materials and techniques used. Students explore the artistic achievements in the Renaissance and explore connections to the period's continuing impact on today's art. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 220 Survey of Asian ArtThis course introduces students to the arts of India, China and Japan, with particular attention to technique, style, content and the role of the arts in Asian cultures. Lectures are focused on major topics. No familiarity with Asian studies is required. Foreign names and terms are de-emphasized in favor of general knowledge of the cultures and arts studied. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 226 American ArtThis course offers a broad survey of American art, emphasizing painting and sculpture, yet covering other cultural manifestations as well. The social, political and intellectual contexts for the artworks are given strong consideration. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 245 British PortraitureUsing the resources of the college's Newton Center, British portraiture from the Renaissance to the early 20th Century are surveyed. Course lectures primarily focus on content, style, technique of work that is directly observable in the collection, but also explore the context and the role of portraiture in British society. Prerequisite: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 255 French ModernismDuring the 19th century, Paris was the center for artistic change in Europe. This course explores the works and theories of major French painters, sculptors and architects, with special consideration given to history and the emerging technologies. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 265 Survey of New Media ArtThis course introduces students to the breadth of new media in the digital and imaging arts and the recent history of artistic exploration into these media. Underscoring this survey is the conception that new media have forced art history into expanding the canon and its criteria for examining art. In particular, this course surveys the evolution of new media out of traditional media. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 281 Ancient Art and ArchitectureThis course examines the formative and historical relationships between art and culture in ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Works of art and architecture are analyzed using a variety of archaeological and art historical approaches. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 282 Medieval Art and ArchitectureThis course traces the development of the major artistic styles of the Middle Ages (Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic) as manifested in architecture, sculpture, painting and "minor" art forms such as manuscript illumination. The social and political currents of the times are also explored. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 283 Myth, Bible and Symbol in ArtThe purpose of this course is to help students identify major mythological, Biblical and symbolic themes in Western art. Students read excerpts from mythological and Biblical literature and discuss their depiction in major works of art. Cultural symbols in art are also considered. This course is designed to further prepare student artists to incorporate and reinterpret these cultural resources in their own work and recognize it in the works of other artists. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 287 Ethnographic ArtThe art and architectural traditions of Africa, native North America, Oceania, pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and/or South America are introduced. Lectures primarily focus on content, context, style, technique, and the role of art and architecture in these cultures, with some discussion concerning the interaction of these traditions with Western art and architectural styles. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 311 Art and Architecture of IndiaThis course surveys the architecture, painting and sculpture of the Indian subcontinent. The work is studied in context, with discussions of how Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Muslim religions relate to the artistic production of the society. The purposes and functions of the various temples, sculptures and paintings are emphasized, and students gain an overall awareness of the different uses of art in India versus the West. Literary texts provide a contextual background. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 312 Latin American ArtThis course explores issues in Latin American art history. The course concentrates on selected aspects of Latin American art, from the Pre-Columbian to contemporary 20th-century period. Specific areas to be covered include: Pre-Columbian and colonial Mexico and Peru, images of revolution and independence, and 20th-century images from Mexico and South America as well as the artistic production of Latin American and Chicana/o artists in the United States. Prerequisite: any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 326 Early Medieval Art and Architecture of Western EuropeThis course traces the development of the major artistic styles of the early Middle Ages (Hiberno-Saxon, Carolingian, Ottonian, Anglo-Saxon) as manifested in architecture, sculpture, painting and "minor" art forms such as manuscript illumination. The social and political currents of the times are also explored. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123, and a 200-level ARTH elective.
ARTH 330 Italian Baroque ArtThis course offers a comprehensive examination of the architecture, painting and sculpture of 17th-century Italy, with a particular emphasis on Rome. The class considers in detail works by such central figures as Caravaggio, the Carracci, Bernini and Cortona. Themes and issues addressed include developments in architecture, sculpture, landscape painting, and monumental ceiling decoration; the ongoing projects at the Vatican; the nature of spectacle and magnificence; and the problem of classicism and the impact of 17th-century art theory on the reception of Italian baroque art and architecture. Students consider the visual arts in 17th-century Italy in terms of the greater religious, political and social context within which they were produced. Prerequisites: ARTH 209.
ARTH 333 Egyptian Art and ArchaeologyThis course examines the artistic contribution of the ancient Egyptian civilization over a chronological continuum of more than three millennia, from the predynastic cultures in the north and south through the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Special attention is given to current archaeological discoveries in Egypt, the importance of hieroglyphs in the understanding of Egyptian art and the phenomenon of Egyptianization throughout the history of Western art. Prerequisites: ARTH 281.
ARTH 335 Early Christian and Byzantine Art and ArchitectureThis course examines the major developments in the visual arts from 313 A.D. to the fall of the Byzantine Empire in 1453. Works of painting, sculpture, luxury arts and architecture are analyzed in terms of style and meaning (iconography), with an emphasis on the social and historical context in which these pieces were produced. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 337 Quattrocento ArtThe focus of this course is on the works produced by great 15th-century Italian artists and architects such as Brunelleschi, Donatello, Masaccio, Alberti, Mantegna and Botticelli. By examining their techniques, patrons and the cultural considerations that informed their works, this course shows that the Italian Renaissance was more than a rebirth of the ideals and art of classical antiquity. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 339 18th-century ArtThis course examines the continuation of the Baroque style in flamboyant Rococo art and culture, and the reaction in neoclassical art and thought of the second half of the 18th century. Social, political and philosophical forces–such as the Enlightenment, the revolutions of this period and the rise of the academy system–are considered. Emphasis is placed on the intersections between the arts, architecture and theoretical developments through the century. Major figures such as Watteau, Boucher, Piranesi, Gainsborough, Kauffman and David are among those studied. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 340 Art Since 1945This course is a chronological survey of major theory, art movements and monuments from 1945 to the present. Each student is expected to develop verbal and written skills in discussing contemporary art and to learn to identify significant characteristics of art of the recent past and the present. This course is intended to promote the student's understanding of artistic style and to expand knowledge of the debates regarding contemporary critical theory and art criticism. Prerequisite: ARTH 207.
ARTH 342 Art and SpiritualityThe late 19th century and early 20th century witnessed the development of consciously abstracted and deliberately spiritual approaches to painting and sculpture in Europe. The most important styles, groups and artists of this trend include Symbolism, Nabis, Der Blaue Reiter and Suprematism, and key figures such as Kandinsky, Malevich and Mondrian. This course explores their art and aesthetic developments within their historical context. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 343 Installation and Environmental ArtThis course focuses on the unique forms of installation and environmental art since 1960. Artists have created works that are directly dependent upon their interior or exterior settings. The class examines chronologically the post-World War II history of installation art, which led to the artistic move outside and into the natural landscape (a divergent tradition from historical public sculpture). Additionally, discussion focuses on the strong relationship that exists between architectural conceptualization and the notions underscoring these forms. In particular, these sculptural works are examined as representing a consequence, corollary, reaction or response to architecture and the landscape. Prerequisite: ARTH 207.
ARTH 345 Treasures of ProvenceThis course enables students to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the rich artistic traditions and the fascinating history of Provence. Class discussion and site visits focus on many of the art collections and architectural monuments found throughout southern France. Class assignments and research projects provide students with an opportunity to complement their major or pursue areas of personal interest. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 347 Great Masters' Materials and TechniquesThis course delves below the surface to explore the physical character of paintings, manuscripts and stained-glass windows by northern and southern European artists from 1100 to 1600. Antique treatises and recipe books regarding artists' materials and techniques are studied. Emphasis is placed on how and with what artists created works of art, with recent results of the scientific examination of art providing substantial basis for insights. Conservation issues are also considered in light of new studies in this field. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 350 Women in ArtThis course surveys women's involvement in and relationship to the visual arts from antiquity through postmodernism. Study focuses on the factors involved in women's access to artistic production and their major contributions to the history of art. Students are encouraged to consider the historical reality of women's participation in art and architecture through the ages. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 351 Native American Art IThis course is one part of an investigation of the artistic traditions of native North America. Regions studied include the prehistoric Eastern woodlands, historic Southeast, Northeast, sub-Arctic and Arctic. Discussions are concerned primarily with content, context, style, technique and the role of art in these diverse cultures. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 352 History of PrintsThis course introduces students to the rich and varied tradition of printmaking: woodcuts, engravings, lithographs, silk screening, etchings and other graphic media. From the earliest Renaissance prints to 20th-century prints, great masters have engaged in this challenging art form. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 356 Digital Art and CultureThis course examines the use of digital technology in art history and visual culture and provides a framework to discuss prevailing theoretical issues. Students explore the practice of digital art on a global level and are introduced to the relevant concepts involved in the discourse. Prerequisite: ARLH 208 or ARTH 207.
ARTH 357 Greek Art and ArchaeologyThis course examines the principal monuments of Greek art and archaeology. Works of painting, sculpture and architecture are discussed in terms of style, meaning and social context. The course provides a basic understanding of the so-called "cradle" of Western civilization and its influence on later Western art. Prerequisite: ARTH 281.
ARTH 358 Roman Art and ArchaeologyThis course examines the principal monuments of the Roman world and some of the archaeological practices that have brought them to light. Painting, sculpture, architecture and material culture in general are considered, as they reflect social, political and aesthetic attitudes in the ancient world. Prerequisite: ARTH 281.
ARTH 361 Native American Art IIThis course is part of an introduction to the artistic traditions of native North America. Regions studied in this course include the Northwest coast, plateau, Great Plains, Great Basin, California and the American Southwest. Discussions are primarily concerned with content, context, style, technique and the role of art in these diverse cultures. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 362 Pre-Columbian ArtThis course covers selected architectural complexes and associated visual images of the people of Mesoamerica and Peru who inhabited Latin America prior to the arrival of Columbus. Architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, metalwork and textiles are studied with regard to their design and function within their historical and social milieu. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 365 World Rock ArtRock paintings or rock carvings from around the world are a record of people connecting meaning and place. Topics to be discussed would include site studies from Paleolithic Europe, Neolithic Africa, North America and Australia, as well as consideration of contemporary methodologies and issues in the field, with particular emphasis on site preservation and management. Prerequisites: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 366 British Literary Art of the 19th CenturyLiterature of the 19th Century had a strong influence on British painting. This course examines the visual and verbal dialogue between these two art forms through the reading of poetry, novels and other prose, as a means to comprehend their application in the visual art world of nineteenth century Britain. Additionally, students critically explore and evaluate the connections between the written word and the visual work through in-class discussion and written assignments. Prerequisite: ARLH 206 or ARTH 205.
ARTH 367 Georgian Art and DesignPainting, sculpture, design, landscape, and architecture are examined within the context of an English Georgian society that variously placed an emphasis on polite society, class distinction, the study of classical art and culture, nature, commerce, and the romantic. Individual works are examined within the larger context of the patron's and maker's physical, social, and psychological milieux. Additionally, this course explores the interrelationship of painting and sculpture to interior design, landscape, and architecture. Prerequisite: ARLH 150 or ARTH 205.
ARTH 368 British ModernismBritish art in the early half of the twentieth century was predicated upon an ambivalent relationship with Modernism. The dominant English tradition in art, associated with romantic individualism, empiricism and the importance of literary and allegorical subject matter was at odds with the aims of European modernism. A corresponding issue is the way in which the discourse of British art has created a particular kind of division between figurative artists, often deemed eccentric and conservative, and those who engaged with the socio-political aspects of Continental modernism. Alternatively, this course traces the genealogy of British modernism thematically, discussing the significance of rural revivalism, formalism, futurism, primitivism, abstraction, and surrealism as central to its manifestation. Prerequisite: ARLH 208 or ARTH 207.
ARTH 372 French ImpressionismThis course explores ideas and images pertinent to French Impressionism. This course seeks to increase students' knowledge of French Impressionist art and to equip students with standard research methodologies employed for art historical analyses at their differing stages in professional development. Prerequisites: ENGL 123, ARTH 110, and ARTH 205 or ARTH 207.
ARTH 373 New York as an Art Capital of the WorldEuropeans acknowledged the status of the visual arts in New York only after World War II. This recognition was partly due to the new museums that were founded after the 1920s: The Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum and the Guggenheim. Students in this course visit all of these museums, in addition to more recently founded institutions and current galleries of the 57th Street and Madison Avenue areas. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 374 African Art: Beyond the ObjectThis is an introductory course to the traditional art of Africa. The course explores the rich and "exotic" cultural traditions of African peoples outside the influence of Euro-American cultures. The class focuses on developing an appreciation of other cultures and exploring their limitless potentials to work with Western cultures in the spirit of reciprocity. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 375 Art and Architecture of 16th-century ItalyMichelangelo's heroic masterpieces reflect many of the contradictions represented by Italian artists during the 16th century. This course focuses on developments in artistic theory and design that enlighten and explain the dramatic intensity and stylistic changes, from the grandeur of High Renaissance art to the complexities presented by the Mannerists. Works of principal painters and sculptors of the period are studied: the Venetian masters Titian and Tintoretto, the Florentine masters Bronzino and Rosso, and others. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 378 Masterpieces in English CollectionsStudents explore the visual wealth of the great English collections. In particular, the course focuses on the National Gallery, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Courtauld Institute in London. Students view works from the Parthenon sculptures, medieval treasures, Old Master paintings by Van Eyck, Leonardo, Titian, works by English artists such as Constable and a host of non-western treasures. The great English passion for collecting is explored in great country houses. Prerequisites: ARTH 110, ENGL 123.
ARTH 380 Northern Renaissance ArtThis course covers the great artistic achievements and the diverse social conditions north of the Alps from approximately 1350-1575. The role that the church and nobility played in the invention and development of oil painting is studied, as well as the role prints played in creating the unprecedented spread of information, leading to an awareness of classicism and playing a significant role in the Reformation. The technical development of prints and the importance of religious sculpture also are studied. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 381 Italian Renaissance ArtThis course examines Italian art and architecture from the early 14th to the middle 16th-century. The content and the context of the artworks, their form and function, and the lives of the artists and architects who produced them are given special emphasis. Questions of patronage and the influence of humanism as seen through classical and contemporary literature are examined. The differences in regional styles are critically analyzed. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 383 Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture of MesoamericaThis course explores the art and architecture of the major civilizations of Mesoamerica, including the Olmec, Teotihuacanos, Toltec, Mixtec, Zapotec, Aztec and Mayan peoples. Major architectural monuments dating from 1200 B.C. to A.D. 1520, sculpture, painting, manuscripts, fiber arts, ceramics and metalwork are discussed in terms of content, historical and social context, style, form and the role of art in their respective cultures. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 385 Pre-Columbian Art and Architecture of PeruThis course explores the art and architecture of the major civilizations of Peru. Major architectural monuments dating from 2700 B.C. to A.D. 1532, sculpture, painting, fiber arts, ceramics and metalwork are discussed in terms of content, historical and social context, style, form and the role of art in their respective cultures. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 396 Art and Architectural Treasures of the VaticanThis course concentrates on the historical development of major art and architectural monuments at the Vatican. Topics include such themes as the Vatican area in classical times, the Vatican cemetery, the Petrine tradition, Constantine's Church, New St.. Peter's, the Sistine Chapel, the Stanze, and the Vatican gardens and museum collections. Prerequisite: Any 200-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 400 Professional PracticesStudents refine advanced research skills and build an annotated bibliography on a chosen topic in anticipation of pursuing their senior thesis. Students examine their bibliographic material within the framework of art history methodology and explore related career options including writing exhibit reviews, practice grants and catalog entries. In addition, students hone their professional presentation skills, both in formal conference-style presentations and practice interviews with guest speakers. Prerequisite: Any 300-level art history course.
ARTH 409 Art History B.F.A. ThesisThis course provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate sound scholarly methodology and critical thinking skills as they select a topic, research it and write an advanced research paper under the supervision of a faculty committee. The thesis topic must be approved at least one quarter in advance by a faculty adviser. The course is designed for senior art history majors. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair.
ARTH 415 Medieval ManuscriptsThe medieval manuscript provided artists with the most important venue for painting for over 1200 years. Students learn how and why they were made by exploring production practices and patronage. The socio-historical context under which these fine works were created is a significant component of this course. Prerequisite: Any 300-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 420 Visual CultureStudents learn to use the language of visual culture with a particular focus on the symbols, strategies, and messages employed. Incorporating the methods of art analysis, the course introduces students to different forms of visual culture (television, advertising, fashion, gaming, architecture, and the media), while comparing and contrasting these within a philosophical and historical setting. Prerequisite: Any 300-level ARLH/ARTH course.
ARTH 491 Topics in New Media ArtThis course provides an in-depth theoretical and critical investigation of a particular topic within the new media arts. The topic varies from quarter to quarter; however, the course is intended to provide students with the opportunity to refine their expertise in a specific field of inquiry. Prerequisites: Vary according to topic.
ARTH 495 Special Topics in Art HistoryThe topic of this course varies from quarter to quarter. Each class focuses on various issues in the art history field, giving students an opportunity to pursue individual projects related to the subject of the course. Prerequisites: Vary according to topic.
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