ARH 1000 Masterpieces of World Art

A survey of art and architectural history using a great masterpieces approach. Significant monuments from antiquity to the twentieth century will be considered with particular attention to the interaction of art and its producing society so that political situation, theology, science, and aesthetics will be considered in lectures. Cannot be used toward a major in art. Credit cannot be earned for ARH 1000 Masterpieces of World Art and ARH 1010 Survey of Western Art History: Ancient to Medieval or ARH 1000 Masterpieces of World Art and ARH 1020 Survey of Western Art History: Renaissance to 21st Century.

This course surveys western art chronologically from prehistory through the fifteenth century. Discussions center on understanding various civilizations through their visual arts, the cultural exchange between these civilizations, and how images are used for political, economic, religious, and social purposes. Students gain familiarity with movements, time periods, and individual works of art.  Students learn to identify works of art, are introduced to art terminology, practice the fundamentals of visual analysis, and develop the ability to analyze the content and contexts of works of art.

This course surveys Western art chronologically from the Renaissance period to the present day. Guiding themes within this course, such as patronage, gender, identity, political/religious turmoil, colonialism, and global trade, will introduce students to why certain types of art are created and how these works of art function within society. Students gain familiarity with movements, time periods, and individual artists. Students learn to identify works of art, are introduced to art terminology, practice the fundamentals of visual analysis, and develop the ability to analyze the content and contexts of works of art.