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Course Descriptions
ARH 126: The Critical Eye
Goal: To look critically at famous and fascinating works of art. To develop
skills in the analysis, comparison, connoisseurship, iconography, and critical
judgment of art.
Content: Monuments of art and architecture. Methods of analysis.
Taught: Annually.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 216: Art of the Spirit
Goal: To study the traditional and contemporary arts of Asia and Africa. To
develop analytical, writing, research, and speaking skills by working on art
historical problems and presenting the results in class.
Content: The arts
of Asia and Africa, critical methodology of art history. The theme of the
course, “Art of the Spirit,” refers to the freedom of mind and soul expressed in
the arts of these continents.
Taught: Alternate years.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking; cross-cultural.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 230: Masterpiece
Goal: To study monuments of European art from the Parthenon to Guernica. To
develop analytical, writing, research, and speaking skills by working on art
historical problems and presenting the results in class.
Content: Monuments of European art, critical methodology of art history.
Taught: Alternate years.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 235: Outside the Mainstream
Goal: To celebrate the diversity of American art from an unusual point of view
and to focus on artists working outside the mainstream. To develop analytical,
critical, research, writing, and speaking skills.
Content: Topics range
from Native American art to the Harlem Renaissance, from feminist art to
outsider art; art historical methodology.
Taught: Alternate years.
Gen. Ed. Category: Critical thinking; cross-cultural.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 325: Greek and Roman Art
Goal: To acquire a knowledge of the artists, monuments and works of art of the
civilizations of Greece and Rome. To gain an understanding of the patterns of
stylistic development, of the historical and cultural significance of major
monuments and political sources of iconography, and to acquire the ability to
discuss and analyze works of architecture, statuary, relief sculpture, vase
painting, mosaic, metal work, and wall painting from both periods.
Content:
Study of art and architecture from the rise of Greek civilization to the fall of
the Roman Empire.
Taught: Alternate years.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 326: Art of the Middle Ages
Goal: To acquire an understanding of the characteristics of the art historical
style periods between the fall of the Roman Empire and the emergence of the
Renaissance. To gain the ability to recognize and trace the influence of the
classical tradition and the break with
that tradition. To gain a knowledge of the role of the church and liturgy in the
development of religious monuments and decoration, including monastery and
church buildings, sculpture, illuminated manuscripts, painted icons, mosaics,
wall paintings, church
furnishings, and stained glass.
Content: Study of art and architecture from the rise of the Early Christian and
Byzantine, through the Early Medieval, Romanesque,
and Gothic periods.
Taught: Alternate years.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 327: Renaissance Art
Goal: To acquire an understanding of the aims and achievements of the Italian
Renaissance and the relationship to contemporary developments beyond the Alps.
To acquire the ability to recognize and describe medieval and antique sources
and influences in Renaissance art. To develop skills in iconography and
connoisseurship.
Content: Study of art and architecture in the Italian and Northern Renaissances.
Taught: Alternate years.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 354: Women’s Issues in Contemporary Art
Goal: To acquire an in-depth understanding of the art of our own time from the
beginning of the twentieth century to the present, of the tension between
traditional and non-traditional forms and the breakthrough to non-objectivity.
To gain a knowledge of the
primary movements and the major proponents of each movement. To acquire a
familiarity with contemporary theories. To acquire the ability to formally
analyze and discuss specific works and their relationship to the rapidly
changing modern and post-modern worlds.
Content: Study of European and American art and architecture in the twentieth
century.
Taught: Alternate years.
Credit: 3 hours; cross-listed as WST 354.
ARH 396, 397: Special Topics in Art
Goal: To offer the student opportunities to pursue fields of study outside
traditionally offered courses.
Content: An in-depth examination of a
special area of art. Topics offered vary from time to time. A student may take
no more than two special topics courses.
Taught: Offered occasionally.
Prerequisite: Depends on course content.
Credit: 3 hours.
ARH 405: Senior Art History Seminar
Goal: Concentration on art historical issues on an individual basis.
Content: The student develops a thesis paper, usually about 25 pages in length,
which contains illustrations, is bound, and a copy is placed in the
library. The topic is of the student’s own choosing, and is based on a specific
issue or problem in art history. Additionally, students in the seminar
take field trips to museums and galleries, and work on a secondary project, also
of their
choosing.
Taught: Spring.
Prerequisite: Completion of all courses through the junior level.
Credit: 3 hours; S-course.
Rev. 12.09