Art History (ARTH)

The development and historical context of visual art from the prehistoric period through the inception of the early modern period (c.1500). Exploration of artifacts and historic sites as documents of past economic, political, religious and social developments and well as of cultural exchange. Museum visits strongly encouraged.

The development and historical context of visual art from the beginnings of the trans-Atlantic slave trade (c.1500) to the 21st century. Exploration of artifacts and historic sites as documents of past economic, political, religious and social developments and well as of cultural exchange. Museum visits strongly encouraged.

The cultural and historical development of global modernism from the late 19th century to the 21st century. Examination of broad themes applied to diverse regions and analysis of works within their specific contexts. Museum visits required.

The development and historical context of visual art and material culture from precolonial contact (c. 1500) to the Cold War (c. 1960). Exploration of artifacts, physical structures, and historic sites as documents of past economic, political, religious, and social developments as well as of cultural exchange. Museum visits strongly encouraged.

An exploration of Caribbean art and cultural history through the lens of contemporary Caribbean art exhibitions. This course introduces students to the arts and culture of the Caribbean through an investigation of the lives and styles of Caribbean artists, artworks, curatorial approaches, and viewer reception. Emphasis will be placed upon Caribbean-born artists and their respective geographical heritages.

This course will focus on the history of art produced from the beginning of the European slave trade in the 15th century to the 21st century, focusing on images of Blacks people and/or work by Black artists. Topics will include the creation of power dynamics and stereotypes of Black people in the early modern era and move towards the creation of identity and expression by Black artists in the modern era. All museum trips are mandatory.

This course provides a chronological overview of photographic production beginning with early optical devices, such as the camera obscura, and continuing to contemporary digital practices. Students will become familiar with various processes and techniques, styles, movements, individual practitioners, as well as various theories of photographic analysis. We will also explore how and why the history of photography has only recently been integrated into the larger history of art by studying the broad societal, scientific, and technological contexts of early photography. Museum visits strongly encouraged.

Students will study Graphic Design as a component of visual language within historical context, identifying graphic arts within the history of art and articulating its aesthetic import and contributions to cultural development. Links between socio-political phenomena, the development of advertising and propaganda art, visual literacy, perception, type design and design practice will be examined. Course modules focus on a survey of graphic design from the invention of writing to the present, from Pre-historic cave imagery to the current digital age, the achievements that laid the groundwork for the contemporary practices of graphic design will be introduced to the student through the works of leading graphic designers, art directors, illustrators, photographers, and typographers. Major styles will be analyzed and compared, and influences identified.

The course offers a global perspective of buildings, their settings, and the dissemination of ideas about architecture from the late Neolithic period to the present. Particular attention is given to the relationships of architectural expression, meaning, and building technology and to issues arising when architectural traditions of one culture are imposed upon or otherwise adapted by another. Students will explore the impact of climate, economy, philosophy, social structure and technology on architecture by becoming familiar with some of the World's major monuments in architectural history. The course also integrates the history of technology and visual arts that paralleled each era, exploring the fundamental elements of each movement as illustrated through aesthetic expression.

This course gives an overview about current methods and innovative approaches in art history. In recent years, art history has abandoned the traditional concept of the timeless/placeless masterpiece and its focus on western art. Scholars increasingly rely on interdisciplinary working methods and global perspectives. This course identifies and critically engages with a number of prevalent tendencies by discussing theoretical concepts and applying them to specific case studies.

An introduction to the art museum with an overview of the major activities, challenges, and responsibilities encountered by museum directors and staff. With an in depth look at collections and curating, community engagement, fundraising, and visitor services, students will consider everyday operations along with current debates regarding the decolonization of collections. This course is a pre-requisite for the Museum Studies Internship ARTH 2095. 

The Museum Studies Internship involves direct engagement in a museum or cultural institution under the supervision of a staff mentor. This 3-credit experience allows the student first-hand experience to shadow a variety of museum professionals across departments within the museum and then to work directly with their mentor on a significant project or series of smaller projects. They will also regularly meet with the Internship Coordinator and communicate with their fellow interns virtually.