ART 213 - Themes in Art History - Prehistory to Baroque

4 Hour(s)
General Education F1

This course is an introduction to the history of human visual expression, from the earliest evidence of image making to the end of the Baroque period – just before the cusp of the Modern Era. We will discuss the aesthetic values of these cultures to understand the historic, social, political, religious and other meanings behind the creation of works of art. The format of this course is seminar-workshop style where we will work through critical themes and major works from around the world, as opposed to the more traditional reliance on formal lectures, memorization, and art historical textbooks.

Why study this material? The works of art and architecture introduced in this class are fundamental expressions of human history and culture, that have been critical to the ongoing dialogue with other disciplines. This course is thus meant to empower students by providing analytical skills that will enable them to arrive at a more nuanced and critical understanding of world culture and the human condition. .

Students will foster an appreciation of art in its myriad forms, increase their sensitivity to cultural diversity and to the ways in which the past has shaped the present.

FA, SP
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or higher