ARTH1001

This survey aims to introduce students to art in the West from prehistory to the present. Select artistic traditions in the ancient Near East, ancient Egypt, Europe, and the Americas are considered against their religious, socio-political, and other cultural contexts. Lectures, readings, and assignments will address several themes, central to understanding the history of Western art: (1) the forms, functions, and symbolism of images, objects, and spaces; (2) materials, techniques, and skills deployed in the making of aesthetic objects; (3) the historical and cultural construction of visual experiences; and (4) customs, beliefs, and values associated with art production, collection, and exhibition in various cultures.

Arts/Humanities

Every Spring