ART HISTORY

Professor J. Long; Assistant Professor Hargrove

The goal of Art History is to connect historical events and human experiences with visual expression. The major begins with a required 2-semester general survey, moves to period-specific surveys, advances to specialized lecture/discussion classes within periods, and culminates in seminars. This sequence of courses allows students to develop their mastery of subject matter — objects, artists, and ideas — while at the same time building their skills at interpreting, assessing, and explaining that subject matter and the methodologies for its study.

Students planning to go on to graduate school are urged to study at least one foreign language (preferably German) through the intermediate level.

Art History Major
A major in art history requires the completion of ten units. These include:

ARTH 146 Survey of Art History I: Prehistoric through Medieval

ARTH 156 Survey of Art History II: Renaissance through Modern

Three, 200-level Art History classes with one from each of the following areas: Ancient/Medieval; Renaissance/Baroque; American/19th & 20th Centuries

Two Art History classes at or above the 300 level

ARTH 456 Research Seminar in Art History

Two electives: Electives may come from art history, from studio art, or from courses in another major that have been approved by the art history faculty.

Art History Minor
The minor in Art History is designed to give students a general experience of both the content and methods of art history. A minor in art history requires the completion of six units, including:

ARTH 146 Survey of Art History I: Prehistoric through Medieval

ARTH 156 Survey of Art History II: Renaissance through Modern

Two, 200-level Art History classes, from different areas: Ancient/Medieval; Renaissance/Baroque; American/19th & 20th Centuries

One Art History class at or above the 300 level

One elective: Electives may come from art history, from studio art, or from courses in another major that have been approved by the art history faculty.

146 Survey of Art History I: Prehistoric through Medieval
A survey of representative monuments of painting, sculpture, architecture, and the crafts from ancient times through the medieval period. Non-Western art and culture will be paralleled where appropriate. The works of art will be considered in terms of their historical context, and ways of understanding visual evidence will be proposed. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.

156 Survey of Art History II: Renaissance through Modern
A survey of representative monuments of painting, sculpture, architecture, and the crafts from the Renaissance through the modern period. Non-Western art and culture will be paralleled where appropriate. The works of art will be considered in terms of their historical context, and ways of understanding visual evidence will be proposed. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ARTH 146 or permission.

226 Greek and Roman Art
An examination of the major works of art produced during the ancient Greek and Roman periods. Aspects of Greek and Roman thought, politics, religion, and patronage will be explored to explain the functions, styles, and themes of the art of these cultures.(1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ARTH 146 or permission.

236 Medieval Art
An exploration of the art produced in Europe from the 4th to the 14th centuries. The class will examine how visual culture reflects the political, social, and religious needs of different communities throughout the period. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisites: ARTH 146 or permission.

246 Italian Renaissance Art
The study of Italian art from Giotto to Michelangelo. Aspects of Italian Renaissance culture and patronage will be explored in order to explain the styles and themes of the period. Where appropriate, the accomplishments of Northern Renaissance artists will be introduced. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 146 or permission.

256 Baroque Art
An examination of the major monuments of European art produced between 1600 and 1700. Aspects of Baroque culture and patronage will be explored in order to explain the styles and themes of the period. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 146 or permission.

276 The Arts of the United States
A historical and conceptual survey investigating American architecture, painting, crafts, and sculptures. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 156 or permission.

286 19th-Century European Art
An examination of the major movements of European art from Neoclassicism to Post-Impressionism (1780-1900). The various works of art will be approached in terms of cultural and critical contexts, with an emphasis on the Enlightenment, political revolutions, and the concept of “modernity.” (1)
Lecture: 3hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 156 or permission.

296 20th-Century Art and Architecture
An analysis of the main schools of modern art and architecture in Europe and America from the opening of the century to the 1980s.The various works of art will be approached in terms of cultural and critical contexts. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 156 or permission.

291 Special Topics in Art History
Selected studies in specialized art history areas. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission.

336 Issues in Medieval Art
An examination of issues important to the period. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 146 or permission.

346 Issues in Renaissance Art
An examination of issues important to the period. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 146 or permission.

356 Issues in Baroque Art
An examination of issues important to the period. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture/Discussion: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 156 or permission.

386 Issues in Modern Art
An examination of issues important to the period. Topics vary. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: ARTH 156 or permission of the instructor.

391 Special Topics in Art History
Selected studies in specialized art history areas. May be repeated for credit. (1)
Lecture/Studio: hours vary.
Prerequisite: Permission.

406 Independent Study and Research
A program of advanced intensive study and experience in art history under the guidance of the art history staff. (1)
Lecture/Studio: Hours vary.
Prerequisite: Permission and submission of a written proposal, following departmental guidelines.

416 Art Internship
Practical experience working in or with artistic organization as participant-observer, leading to the preparation of a report which describes and evaluates that organization’s activities. (1)
Hours vary.
Prerequisite: Permission and submission of a written proposal, following departmental guidelines.

456 Research Seminar in Art History
A seminar approach to selected topics for advanced students. Topics vary. (1)
Lecture: 3 hrs/wk.
Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.

495, 496, 497 Honors Project
A program of independent study culminating in the public presentation of a paper. (1/2, 1, 1/2)
Prerequisites: To qualify for consideration to receive honors in the major, a student, in the senior year or in the Summer prior to the senior year, must work under the guidance of a faculty committee. A written proposal and application must be approved by the committee and department. A minimum GPA of 3.4 in the major is required. 495 Honors Project is prerequisite for 497 Honors Project.