Art History

Overview

Art History is essential to the liberal arts education, as they facilitate an expansive understanding of global, cultural, and historical perspectives, resulting in a broader view of human invention, original thought and the courage to create. Through lecture, readings, interactive assignments, film, and discussion, students develop critical thinking, research and writing skills in order to succeed in college and beyond.

Most of the courses below fulfill credit requirements for General Education, Humanities, and/or Fine Arts electives. Students pursuing the Associates of Fine Arts (AFA) degree are required to take three out of four Art Histories. All students develop skills of observation, evidence gathering, and visual literacy needed in many professions, and some elect to pursue the Bachelor of Arts in Art History at a four-year college. Careers are found in museums, galleries and auctions; arts education; arts administration; arts litigation; libraries and archives; conservation and restoration; and publishing, among others.

Courses

Ancient to Medieval ARTS 1510

In this lecture course, you will explore that world and the cultures that laid the artistic and architectural groundwork for our own. Students demonstrate learning and skills through short writing assignments and quizzes, in-class exams, and a research-based term project (specific assessments vary by instructor).

Catalog description: This course is a survey of visual art from prehistory through Gothic Europe. Emphasis is placed on how art, architecture and functional objects provide evidence of the religious beliefs and cultural structures of early civilizations. Regions covered include Egypt, the Near East and Europe.

Fulfills General Education, Humanities, and/or Fine Arts electives.

Lecture:

3 hours

Prerequisites

• ENGL 1005 OR 1010 with grade of "C" or better

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Renaissance through Modern ARTS 1520

From Giotto to Warhol, the minds of daring artists continue to ask questions of our selves and the systems in which we navigate. Topics about the nude, the politics of power, faith, landscape, and new visual technologies are presented, challenged and celebrated.

Catalog Description: This course is a survey of visual art and architecture from the Renaissance through the twentieth century, focused primarily upon European and American study. The manner in which art both reflects and shapes history is a central means of exploration, leading to the complexities of art in the Post-Modern period.

Fulfills General Education, Humanities, and/or Fine Arts electives.

Lecture:

3 hours

Prerequisites

• ENGL 1005 OR 1010 with grade of "C" or better

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Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas ARTS 1530

We live in an increasingly interconnected world in which an understanding of Western Civilization is only part of the story. Establish a foundation for building your own global connections through an exploration of the geography, religious beliefs, and historical events of people around the world through and reflected in visual art, architecture, monuments, and traditions.

Catalog description: This course introduces and analyzes the creative expressions of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas through focused studies of selected artistic traditions. Through weekly readings, writing exercises, lectures, discussions, films, online research and visits to museums and galleries, this class builds a vision of the world as seen through diverse cultural traditions.

Fulfills General Education, Humanities, and/or Fine Arts electives.

Lecture:

3 hours

Prerequisites

• ENGL 1005 or 1010 with grade of “C” or better

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Modern through Contemporary ARTS 1550

This course is a vibrant survey of the boldest age of art making—that of the most recent decades. Engaging and sometimes controversial presentations and readings are designed to enable students of differing interests and skills to comprehend abstract, conceptual, minimal, performance, and global art forms.

Catalog Description: This course identifies and analyzes art after 1945 in the U.S. and prominent art centers internationally. Emphasis is placed on artists’ philosophies, art media and processes, and the role of art in society, politics and culture. Major movements in Modernism, Post-Modernism and Contemporary are addressed. Topics are presented through reading, lecture, discussion, writing, video, and museum/gallery visits.

Fulfills Humanities and/or Fine Arts electives.

 

Lecture:

3 hours

Lab:

1 hour (experiential learning in class or galleries)

Prerequisites

• ENGL 1005 OR 1010 with grade of "C" or better