School of Art and Art History

ARTH 3656 Curatorial Practicum (4 Credits)

Students will work in curatorial teams to plan and execute an effective exhibition of contemporary art. This process may include choosing a theme and selecting works of art, researching artists and themes, budgets, scheduling, developing an exhibition checklist, modeling the gallery, visual exhibition design, conservation and collections management factors, shipping, installation, educational outreach to the public, publicity and other issues related to exhibition planning.

ARTH 3661 Learning in Museums (4 Credits)

Comprehensive introduction to museum education. Examines informal education, learning theories, interactive education, exhibits and programs. Cross-listed with ANTH 3661.

ARTH 3701 Topics in Art History (1-4 Credits)

Selected themes and topics from the history of art. Content changes and course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.

ARTH 3702 Topics in Contemporary Art (4 Credits)

This course offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary art and critical theory from a cross-disciplinary, global perspective beginning in the 1960s. We couple intensive reading and writing assignments to meetings with guest creatives and thinkers, visits to local art spaces, and roundtable discussions about new research. The particular art historical topic varies from year to year.

ARTH 3813 Arts of the American West (4 Credits)

This class covers a wide range of art objects and styles from the 17th century to the present in the West of the United States, from buffalo robe paintings and baskets to cowboy art and contemporary abstract landscapes. Particular attention is paid to the diversity of art traditions--Native American, Spanish and Mexican, European, Asian and Latin American--as they converge in this geographic space.

ARTH 3815 Puritan, Shaker, Hindu: Material Religion in North America (4 Credits)

The diversity of religious experience and spirituality is emphasized in this historical examination of image and artifact in North America. Beginning with sacred indigenous arts and including Puritans, Shakers, Judaism, Mormons, Ghost Dance religion, Buddhists, Hindus, and others, this class considers the ways in which different spiritual worldviews are expressed through and shaped by the art and objects people create and the environments they build. It looks at the encounters between cultures in colonial and post-colonial contexts that result in ever changing material forms of religion. Students learn through slide-lecture-discussions, reading, small group discussions, research papers or presentations, and field trips.

ARTH 3817 Gothic Art (4 Credits)

This course examines the art of the Late Middle Ages in Europe, from roughly 1140 to 1400. Gothic architecture, sculpture, painting, stained glass and the sumptuous arts (metal, textiles) are examined within their broader social, political and religious contexts. Particular attention is paid to the Gothic Cathedral - that quintessential window into the medieval world--its beliefs, aspirations, social and political realities.

ARTH 3818 Art of Renaissance Europe (4 Credits)

This course provides an examination of the artistic cultures in Europe during the Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries). Depending upon the quarter, this course will be a general survey of European art during the Renaissance or a more focused exploration of a sub-period, such as painting in fifteenth-century Italy. Chronological and geographic factors determine the overall theme and structure of the course. Students gain both a sound knowledge of key artistic monuments of the period, as well as a conceptual framework according to which they may organize their knowledge. This class may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 3822 Northern Renaissance Art (4 Credits)

This course explores the dramatic developments in the arts (particularly panel painting, manuscript illumination and sculpture) in Northern Europe from around 1350 to 1550. From lavishly decorated Books of Hours and the development of stunningly naturalistic oil paintings on panel in the early 15th century through the development of printing and the rise of self-portraiture, genre and landscape depictions, this class traces the important role played by Dutch, Flemish, German and French artists in the transition from late medieval to early modern artistic forms and practices. The role of art in shaping and expressing religious, civic, political and economic concepts are explored, as well as the rise of the social and intellectual standing of the artist. Among the artists examined include Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Albrecht Dürer, Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.

ARTH 3823 17th-Century European Art (4 Credits)

This course considers European arts of the 17th century. Depending upon the quarter it may be a general survey of European art during the seventeenth century or a more focused exploration of a sub-period, such as Italian Baroque or the Old Dutch Masters: Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals. This class may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 3825 Abstract Expressionism (4 Credits)

In the years immediately following World War II, American art flourished through a generation of artists whose work successfully moved beyond (and at its best, matched) the substantial innovations of modern artists working in Europe around the time of World War I. From richly varied backgrounds and equipped with a deep understanding of art history, these artists forged careers during the Depression and, though fiercely independent, united in the late 1940s with the goal of establishing a new American modern art. Their monumental, highly singular, expressive abstractions (and near-abstractions) gave rise to the movement called Abstract Expressionism, which dominated American painting in the 1950s and beyond.

ARTH 3832 19th-Century Art (4 Credits)

This course surveys the major art movements in Europe from the late 18th century to the end of the 19th century. Major painters, sculptors, printmakers and architects of the following movements will be presented: Neo-classicism, Romanticism, Academic Painting, Realism, the Pre-Raphaelites, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Symbolism and Art Nouveau. Their works will be studied in light of the social, political and cultural milieu in which they appeared. Special attention will be paid to representations of race, class, gender and colonialism.

ARTH 3834 Global Contemporary Art (4 Credits)

This class explores contemporary art, including but not limited to painting, sculpture, performance art, installations, and new media, through the lenses of identity, the body, time, place, language, and spirituality. These narratives provide threads of continuity across time and place, but we will also focus on individual artistic interpretations as we delve deeper into cultural specificities and audience reception around the world. We will identify and analyze connections between recent art theoretical perspectives and the emergence of various art trends. This course considers the role of the international art market, global art fairs, artist retrospectives, and recent museum and gallery exhibitions as participatory elements in the construction and discussion of contemporary art.

ARTH 3838 Connoisseurship (4 Credits)

In this class the historical roots, theoretical and philosophical underpinnings, and actual practice of connoisseurship are studied using objects from the museum's collection.

ARTH 3839 Topics in Modern Art (4 Credits)

Selected themes and topics from the 18th century to the present. Topics change, and the course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.

ARTH 3840 Sacred Arts of Asia (4 Credits)

This course explores the sacred art and architecture of Asia, including but not limited to India, China, and Japan. Major religious traditions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, are viewed through the lens of artistic development; indigenous religious traditions and philosophical constructs, including Shintoism, Daoism, Confucianism, and Bon are also explored for their influence in art, architecture, and visual culture more broadly in and between Asian regions.

ARTH 3862 Olmec to Aztec: Mesoamerica (4 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the art and archaeology of the indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica from about 2000 BC to AD 1521. The course explores the early royal art of the Olmec, the colossal pyramids of Teotihuacan, the manuscripts of the Mixtec, and the imperial power of the Aztecs. This class presents a timeline of Mesoamerica and investigates how the various civilizations of Mesoamerica shared aspects of world-view, cosmology and daily life. Students will be able to identify and discuss how these elements manifested in the art and architecture of Mesoamerican cultures. Furthermore, the course investigates issues of shamanism, kingship and power, warfare, gender, and human sacrifice.

ARTH 3863 Kings and Cosmology: Maya Art (4 Credits)

This course is an introduction to the art and archaeology of the Maya from about 300 BCE to 1200 CE, although the beliefs and traditions of the living Maya will inform this study of the past. The Maya are perhaps the most famous of the several cultures comprising what is known as Mesoamerica. A highly advanced culture, they built soaring temples, carved elaborate portraits of their kings and developed a complex writing system including a calendar. The course explores these things with a constant eye to understanding the Maya worldview, cosmology and daily life. By the conclusion of the class, students should be able to read their intricate pictures, discuss the strategies of powerful Maya rulers and understand how Maya art and architecture reflect their concepts of time and the cosmos.

ARTH 3864 Buddhism(s) and Arts (4 Credits)

This survey examines the history, practices, ritual contexts, aesthetics and artistic traditions of Buddhism including architecture, calligraphy, sculpture and painting, in terms of its social and historical context, political and religious functions, as well as issues including artistic production, changing techniques and symbols, and the market/audience. The primary goal is to understand Buddhism as reflected in art and culture.

ARTH 3867 The Circle and the Four Corners: Native North American Art (4 Credits)

This course is designed as an introduction to the art and architecture of the native peoples of North America from the earliest signs of humans in North America to the present. Cultures covered include those from the Southwest, the Northwest, the Southeast Ceremonial Complex, the Plains and contemporary Native American artists. By the conclusion of the class, students will understand the cultural sequence and geographic dispersion of native North America. Students will also understand how the various civilizations of North America shared aspects of world-view, cosmology and daily life, and be able to identify and discuss how these elements manifested in the art and architecture of native North American cultures.

ARTH 3868 Art of the Andes (4 Credits)

This course is designed as an introduction to the art and architecture of the native Pre-Columbian peoples of the Andes. Cultures covered include Chavin, Nasca, Wari and the Inca.

ARTH 3871 Women in Art (4 Credits)

This course considers the roles of women in art and explores the impact of race, class and gender on art produced from the Middle Ages to the present with discussions of women artists, women patrons and images of women. Cross listed with GWST 3871.

ARTH 3872 Introduction to Conservation (4 Credits)

This lecture course familiarizes the student with the concepts and challenges of conservation, its role in museums and the care of collections. Specific emphasis is given to the materials, structure, deterioration and preservation of material culture. Field trips to various museums and/or workshops to make appropriate display mounts and storage containers enhance the understanding gained from readings and lectures.

ARTH 3875 History of Collections (4 Credits)

This course traces the history of collections from the Renaissance to the present, addressing the interconnections between artists, patrons, dealers, art markets, provenance, connoisseurship and the historical development of museums and private collections. Each week's readings of journal articles and chapters focus on different types of collections or themes, including royal and imperial collections, cabinets of curiosities, excavating and transporting antiquities, British country estates and the Grand Tour, the establishment of national museums, the relationship between American collectors and dealers, ethnographic objects in Western collections, Nazi looting, restorers and forgers, and artists' collections, to name a few.

ARTH 3880 Mosques and Aniconism: Islamic Art and Architecture 650-1250 (4 Credits)

What is ‘Islamic’ in Islamic art? An introduction to art and architecture in the Islamic lands from the days of the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century until the Mongol conquest of the Middle East in the mid-13th century. The course surveys mosques, palaces, madrasas, and tombs, and also calligraphy, sculpture, ceramics, and painting in historical and literary contexts. It covers a vast geographical area, from Spain in the west to Iran and Central Asia in the east, and discusses both common and unique characteristics of architecture and figurative representations in these regions. Emphasis will be given to the early Islamic period in Greater Syria and to artists’ response to Byzantine and Sassanid (pre-Islamic Persian) art and architecture.

ARTH 3881 Dragons and Sultans: Islamic Art and Architecture 1250-1600 (4 Credits)

Art and architecture in the Islamic lands from Genghis Khan in the 13th century to the Ottoman Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century. The course consists of three parts. First, it examines the changes that occurred in Islamic art as a result of artists’ acquaintance with East Asian art and culture (14th century). Second, it discusses art and architecture in Central Asia and Afghanistan under Timurid rule (late14th-15th century), followed by an overview of the artistic achievements in the Early Modern Islamic lands under the Ottomans, Safavids, and Mughals (16th century). The course explores works of art in historical, cultural, and literary contexts, and points to the unique characteristics of each geographical region, as well as to pan-Islamic form and content. Among the topics that will be discussed: the architect Sinan and his legacy, the response of Islamic painting to European art, and representations of royal and religious concepts.

ARTH 3910 Art History Travel (4 Credits)

A travel course to selected locations to study major monuments and collections of art and architecture. Location and content change. This class may be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

ARTH 3991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

This class should be used for individual study of a special topic that is not offered in the art history curriculum described in this catalog. Permission/registration form is available from the Office of the Registrar.

ARTH 4301 Seminar in Art History Methods (4 Credits)

This seminar considers the history of art history and the development of various methods that art historians use to interpret and understand art. Required of all MA candidates in art history.

ARTH 4302 Research Practicum (4 Credits)

The goal in this course is to learn professional methods and resources for original research in areas of American art where little or no published research exists. Students learn through short exercises in biographical, object-oriented, internet, and archival research; by tackling a 10-week research project of their choice within the topic for the quarter; and by networking with each other to share resources and progress. Required of all MA candidates in art history.

ARTH 4312 Seminar: Indigenous American Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in Indigenous American Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4313 Seminar in Islamic Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in Islamic Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4314 Seminar in Medieval Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in Medieval Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4321 Seminar in Renaissance Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in Renaissance Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4333 Seminar in 20th Century Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in 20th century Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4334 Selected Topics in Contemporary Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in contemporary art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4336 Seminar in American Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in American Art. Advanced research papers and presentations. Content changes. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 credits.

ARTH 4651 Museum Methods and Principles (4 Credits)

This class surveys the major activities, goals, and organization of the art museum within today's world. Students meet with a variety of museum professionals to discuss the changing dynamics within art museums, as well as ethical and practical issues of museum work. The class reads both classic and current literature on museum issues and practice, and participates in research, collection, and exhibition projects. Required of all M.A. art history students pursuing the Museum Studies option.

ARTH 4652 Museum Internship (0-10 Credits)

Arranged internship in student's area of specialization. Students should take ARTH 4651 Museum Methods and Principles first. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

ARTH 4801 World Art I for Graduates (0 Credits)

Survey of World Art Prehistory-1000 for graduate students who are required to take this course due to performance on the art history Qualifying Exam.

ARTH 4802 World Art II for Graduates (0 Credits)

Survey of World Art 1000-1700 for graduate students who are required to take this course due to performance on the art history Qualifying Exam.

ARTH 4803 World Art III for Graduates (0 Credits)

Survey of World Art 1700-present for graduate students who are required to take this course due to performance on the art history Qualifying Exam.

ARTH 4991 Independent Study (1-10 Credits)

This class should be used for individual study of a special topic that is not offered in the art history curriculum described in this catalog. Permission/registration form is available from the Office of the Registrar.

ARTH 4995 Independent Research (4 Credits)

Students should see their advisor for guidelines regarding the Master's Research Paper class.