Courses & Curriculum

ARTH 1101 - Art, Culture, And Society Before 1400

Beginning with the very first evidence of human expression, students in this course explore the art and architecture of Western civilization. Students will acquire visual and critical skills that will allow them to understand how works were made and what messages they conveyed to their prehistoric, ancient and medieval audiences. Credit hours: 4. (AE, HE)

ARTH 1102 - Art, Culture, And Society After 1400

How does the study of art contribute to our understanding of history and the current moment? In this introduction to western art from the Renaissance to the present, students wille explore the relationship between a work of art and its historical context, while developing valuable skills in visual literacy and in the critical analysis of imagery. Credit hours: 4. (AE, HE)

ARTH 1107 - History Of Photography

Students will explore the cultural history of photography in the United States and Western Europe from the 1830's to the present. Students will investigate debates around photography as fine art, the role of photography in archives, as a scientific tool, and as a medium for social justice. There will be opportunities to examine works at the Maier Museum of Art and in the College archives. Credit hours: 4.

ARTH 1175 - Bad Boys Of The Baroque

A murderer, a lover, a trickster; Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Bernini are also some of the most important artists of the seventeenth century. Artists of the Baroque responded to the ideas and demands posed by their society as cities and wealth grew, trade and exploration expanded, and Protestants fought Catholics. This course examines the contributions of the artists and architects who invented both new styles and new genres, creating works that challenge and inspire subsequent artists to this day. Credit hours 4. (AE, HE)

ARTH 1176 - Gender, Art, Power

An introduction to the historical, social, and aesthetic factors that have influenced the visual representation of gender in western European art since 1700. Students will consider how art has both contributed to and challenged the construction of gender, and the intersection of gender in art with issues of sexuality, race, and class. Credit hours: 4. (CI, HE)

ARTH 1179 - Masterworks Of Greek And Roman Art

As an introduction to the artistic culture of ancient Greece and Rome, this course discusses select works of art and architecture in depth, from both art historical and archaeological perspectives. Its aim is to set works of art in their specific historical and cultural context while exploring the connection (in style, material, technique, aesthetic) between them and our world. Identical with Classics 1179. Credit hours: 4. (AE, HE)

ARTH 1186 - Arth One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

ARTH 1187 - Arth One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

ARTH 2204 - Renaissance Art Study Tour: Rome And Florence

This is a pre-trip component to a two-week study tour that will travel to sites where Renaissance art can still be seen in its original location and context. The group will also study art in the outstanding museum collections in Florence and Rome. Day trips to cities such as Siena and Ostia are also on the itinerary. All work will be submitted by the end of the fourth week of the fall semester following the tour. Credit hours: 1. Prerequisite: ARTH 2263 or 2264 or permission of the instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2204S - Renaissance Art Study Tour: Rome And Florence

This two-week study tour will travel to sites where Renaissance art can still be seen in its original location and context. The group will also study art in the outstanding museum collections in Florence and Rome. Day trips to cities such as Siena and Ostia are also on the itinerary. All work will be submitted by the end of the fourth week of the fall semester following the tour. Credit hours: 2. Prerequisite: ARTH 2263 or 2264 or permission of the instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2214 - African American Art

Students will discover and analyze a range of expressions of African American artistic creativity from the colonial period to the present, including: religious art, portraiture, landscape, photography, the Harlem Renaissance, social realism, abstraction, public art, performance, and art as a tool for social justice. Includes opportunities to examine works at the Maier Museum of Art. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisites: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (CI, HE)

ARTH 2215 - Art Of The United States: Colonialism To The Present

This course will explore topics such as nationalism, race, gender, space and place in art of the United States from the colonial period to the 20th century. Special use will be made of the works in the Maier Museum of Art. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (CI, HE)

ARTH 2238 - Medieval Art: From Castles To Cathedrals

Through lecture and seminar style discussion, this course introduces the major ideas and artistic trends of the Medieval period. The political, philosophical, and spiritual changes that shaped the Western world after the dissolution of the Roman Empire are related to a selection of artistic periods and styles so that students can achieve an understanding of Medieval art and architecture within its context. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2242 - Baroque Art And Architecture: Saints And Sinners

This course studies the emergence of the Baroque style in painting, sculpture, and architecture as a response to the political and spiritual upheaval wrought by the Protestant Reformation, the Council of Trent, and the Counter-Reformation. The formation of the style in Italy and its modification by northern European artists is addressed within their varied cultural contexts. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2243 - Nineteenth Century European Art

This course analyzes major trends in European art from 1770 to 1900, from Neo-Classicism and Romanticism, to Realism and Post-Impressionism. Students will consider the shifting roles and definitions of art and the artist during a time of frequent revolutions, imperialist and capitalist expansion, rapid industrialization, urban development, and shifting social and cultural norms pertaining to gender, race, and class. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2244 - Modern Art In Europe And The Americas

An examination of Modern art as it developed in Europe and the Americas between 1860-1945. Students will consider the central role that art and visual culture played in the social, cultural, and political transformations across Europe and the Americas in the early 20th century. Includes opportunities to examine works in the Maier Museum of Art. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2257 - Contemporary Art

How did art evolve after 1960? How has globalization shaped contemporary art and its institutions? This course will focus on artists, objects, writings, and events that exemplify salient trends within contemporary art, including conceptual and performance art, feminist art, post-modernism and photography, site-specific art, new media, and socially-engaged art. Includes opportunities to examine works in the Maier Museum of Art. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2261 - Introduction To Museum Studies

This course explores the history, philosophy, and functions of museums in society and the socio-cultural meanings embodied in such institutions. Students interpret and critically examine museum collections and exhibitions, and are introduced to the various facets of museum work including curating, education, conservation and management. Special focus is placed on the exhibitions and programs of the Maier Museum of Art. Field trips required. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisites ARTH 1101 or 1102.

ARTH 2263 - Early Renaissance Art And Architecture: An Age Of Courts And Communes

A bold, new style emerged in fifteenth-century Florence, setting the standard for European and American art until it was challenged by Impressionism and Modernism. Students will become familiar with cornerstones of the Western tradition in painting, sculpture, and architecture, made by great artists including Giotto, Donatello and Brunelleschi. By examining the intellectual, spiritual and political context of the works, students will understand not only their artistic significance but their original meanings as well. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2264 - High Renaissance Art And Architecture: Leonardo And His Legacy

Who does not know the painting of the Mona Lisa? This course examines the career of one of the most influential artists of all time, Leonardo da Vinci, and focuses on his rival, Michelangelo. Students will also discover the contributions of Venetian masters such as Titian and Palladio, whose works have inspired artists and architects for centuries. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or permission of instructor. (AE, HE)

ARTH 2274 - Arth One Time Only

Credit hours: 4. One time only.

ARTH 2275 - Nasty Women Of The Renaissance

One time only.

ARTH 2277 - American Movies

One time only summer.

ARTH 2280 - Philosophy Of Art

A survey of philosophical thinking about the nature of art. Students explore the most influential theories of art offered by philosophers from Plato through the postmodernists. Additional topics include the nature of artistic inspiration, the role of art in society, aesthetic judgment, postmodernism, and the evolutionary origins of art. Identical with CPHL 2280. Credit hours: 4. (HE, WI)

ARTH 2286 - Arth One Time Only

One time only.

ARTH 2286S - One Time Only Summer

One time only summer.

ARTH 3305 - Research In Art History

This course seeks to understand, analyze, and interpret representations of gender and sex within Renaissance art and literature (in both England and Italy). Using contemporary texts when possible and readings from the disciplines of literature, social history, feminist theory, and art historical texts, the course aims for a fuller assessment of gendered Renaissance life as it pertains to art and literature. Identical with English 3378. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor. (CI,HE)

ARTH 3314 - Special Topics In Art History

See individual semester course offerings for topic. Topic will vary from year to year. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: 2200-level art history course or permission of the instructor.

ARTH 3315 - Curatorial Seminar

Students will co-curate an exhibition drawing largely on artworks from the permanent collection at the Maier Museum of Art. The instructor, with the assistance of the museum staff, will supervise the students. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisites: ARTH 2215 and 2261 and permission of instructor. Offered as needed. (AE)

ARTH 3378 - Power And Beauty: Gender In Renaissance Art And Literature

This course seeks to understand, analyze, and interpret representations of gender and sex within Renaissance art and literature (in both England and Italy). Using contemporary texts when possible and readings from the disciplines of literature, social history, feminist theory, and art historical texts, the course aims for a fuller assessment of gendered Renaissance life as it pertains to art and literature. Identical with English 3378. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: junior standing or permission of the instructor. (CI,HE)

ARTH 3380 - Global Media And Society: World Cinema

This course explores the major movements in world cinema. It also examines such related issues as the impact of globalization on national cinemas, the role of the state in legislating film policy, and the integration of cinema with movements for political and economic change. Identical with MAC 3380. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: MAC/ARTH 2277 or permission of instructor. (AE, CI)

ARTH 3382 - Studies In Film

The topic of this course will vary from year to year. Students may examine specific genres, directors, national cinemas, or film theories. Identical with MAC 3382. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: MAC/ARTH 2277 or permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit when topic differs. (AE)

ARTH 3384 - Documentary History And Theory

This course is an introduction to the history, theory, and aesthetics of documentary film. It traces several major historical movements in the development of documentary from Russia and Great Britain to Canada and the United States. Students will explore questions of ethics in documentary production, the development of various formal techniques, and a number of theoretical approaches to analyzing documentaries. Identical with MAC 3384. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: MAC/ARTH 2277 or permission of instructor. (AE, CI, HE)

ARTH 4493 - Senior Seminar

The seminar provides a systematic consideration of the major methods practiced by art historians, both pre-modern and modern, ranging from biography, iconography, and social history to feminism, post-structuralism, post-colonialism, and critical race art history Students will choose one or more of these methods to write the senior paper. Credit hours: 4. Prerequisite: permission of Department.