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Chair, Department of Art: James H. Terry, Ph.D.

Art History Faculty:
James H. Terry, Ph.D.

Courses in art history offer students opportunities to explore the painting, sculpture, architecture and decorative arts of periods from the paleolithic through contemporary art. Students should begin their study of art history with the introductory course, ARH101A, followed by intermediate and advanced courses that concentrate on specific art-historical periods. Courses in humanities take an interdisciplinary approach to music, the visual arts, architecture, dance, theater and film. Courses in art history and humanities enhance majors in theater, dance, graphic design and fashion design by broadening students' understanding of the contexts in which these arts developed. Courses in art history and humanities are also valuable for international studies majors because they deepen students' knowledge of foreign cultures.

Requirements for a Minor in Art History
Students must complete five (5.0) courses in the ARH or HUM prefixes, including two (2.0) courses at the 300 level. Students may elect additional ARH or HUM courses for a maximum of eight (8.0) courses in the minor within a 40.0 course degree program.

The Art History minor may become part of the Liberal Studies major, the International Studies major and student-initiated majors.

NOTE: In the following course listings, (1c) = 1.0 course credit = 1.0 course.

Art History Courses
ARH 101A: Introduction to the History of Art
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
Introduces students to the history of the visual arts and architecture. Students will become familiar with a wide range of artistic techniques and media and will acquire analytical tools for understanding and criticizing the arts. Students will learn to recognize the distinctive features of key periods in the history of western art from prehistory to the present day. The primary focus will be the art of the Mediterranean, Europe and post-colonial America, but the traditions of Asia, the Islamic world, Africa and the ancient Americas will also be discussed. This course is intended to provide a foundation for more advanced study and to contribute to a life-long appreciation of art.

ARH 201A: Greek and Roman Art
(1.0 course)
Open to all students)
Introduces students to the material remains of the ancient Greeks and Romans, the founders of western art and culture. Painting, sculpture, architecture and the decorative arts will be analyzed in the context of political, social and cultural institutions. Students will learn to recognize major period styles and understand how buildings and art objects functioned in Greek and Roman society. Field trips to local museums.

ARH 203A: Medieval and Byzantine Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ENG 102 or permission of instructor)
Introduces students to the art and architecture of the Medieval and Byzantine world, from the Christianization of the Roman Empire in the 4th century to the brink of the Renaissance in the 14th century. We will explore sculpture, wall painting, the arts of the book, secular and religious architecture and the decorative arts (ceramics, metalwork, glass, textiles and mosaics) in the context of political, social and cultural institutions. Field trips to local museums.

ARH 205A: Renaissance Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH 101A or HUM 121A or permission of instructor)
Focuses on painting, sculpture and architecture from the 14th to the 16th centuries in Italy and Northern Europe - one of the most brilliant periods in the history of art. We analyze works of art in terms of technique, iconography, function and style, and (most importantly) in terms of their meanings in the contexts of their own times and for us today. Field trips to local museums.

ARH 280: Topics in Art History
(1.0 course)
Topics courses are devoted to subjects that are not covered in depth in other ARH or HUM courses, especially non-Western art.

ARH 305C: 17th and 18th Century European Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH 101A or HUM 121A or permission of instructor)
The painting, sculpture and architecture of France, Italy, Spain, England and Germany in the 17th and 18th centuries will be studied in historical context, with emphasis on the Baroque and Rococo styles. Field trips to local museums.

ARH 309C: 20th Century European and American Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH 101A or HUM 121A or permission of instructor)
The painting, sculpture and architecture of the 20th century in Europe and America will be covered. Art movements such as Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Pop, Conceptual and Performance Art are explored. Field trips to local museums.

ARH 317C: Islamic Art and Culture
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH 101A or HUM121A or permission of instructor)
This course introduces the art and architecture of Islam, a cultural heritage shared by one fifth of the world's population. We will investigate this subject from the perspective of the faith and traditions of Islam and the history of the Muslim world from the time of Mohammed to the present day. Topics will include secular and religious architecture, book painting and calligraphy, and the decorative arts. Our investigation will proceed through illustrated lectures and discussion, supplemented by films, guests and field trips.

ARH 355C: Women in Art
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: ARH 101A or HUM 121A or permission of instructor.)
(Cross-listed as WST 355C)
This course explores the contributions women have made to painting, sculpture and architecture from the Renaissance to the present time in Europe and America.

ARH 380: Topics in Art History
(1.0 course)
Topics courses are devoted to subjects that are not covered in depth in other ARH or HUM courses, especially non-Western art.

Humanities Courses
HUM 121A: Introduction to the Arts
(1.0 course)
(Open to all students)
This course introduces students to the visual arts, architecture, theater, dance and film. Students become familiar with materials and techniques for each art form and acquire basic vocabulary and analytical tools for understanding and evaluating the arts. Students encounter the arts largely through live performances, firsthand experiences and discussions with artists.

HUM 336D: Impressionism in the Arts
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: HUM 121A or ARH 101A or permission of instructor)
This course explores the cultural phenomenon of Impressionism from two disciplinary directions: the visual arts and music. We will study the visual images of Caillebotte, Cassat, Cézanne, Degas, Manet, Monet, Morisot and Renoir and the musical images of Debussy, Delius, Ives, Ravel and Ellington. Field trips to local museums and/or concert halls.

HUM 340: Diaghilev: Theatre, Dance and Arts
(1.0 course)
(Prerequisite: HUM 121A or ARH 101A or permission of instructor)
An examination of Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes where the 20th century's greatest choreographers were nurtured. Provides a brief look at the works Diaghilev produced and some of the artists who worked with him including Picasso, Braque, Rouault and Matisse as well as Stravinsky, Prokofiev, Satie and others.