ARTH 1010 Images of Culture (4 Credits)

This course looks at artistic creations as an expression of cultural traditions and beliefs. Instead of viewing art as the result of unique geniuses, the fruit of inspired individuals, we explore how artistic objects reflect the ideas of the times and social values held by the society in which they appear. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 1020 Highlights of Medieval Art (4 Credits)

The era known as the Middle Ages spans over a thousand years and includes many significant works in the history of art. This class endeavors to investigate the ways in which works of medieval art construct and convey meaning. In order to explore these ideas in greater depth, the class focuses on specific works of art that illustrate the rich complexities of the ways in which images convey meaning and the ways of understanding these meanings. As such, it is intended to provide an introduction to ways of reading and interpreting images. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 1030 Highlights of Renaissance Art (4 Credits)

The period known as the Renaissance witnessed the production of a tremendous number of artistic masterpieces, but also the formulation of the study of the history of art and the development of art theory. This class endeavors to investigate the ways in which works of Renaissance art construct and convey meaning. In order to explore these ideas in greater depth, the class focuses on specific works of art that illustrate the rich complexities of the ways in which images convey meaning and the ways of understanding these meanings. As such, it is intended to provide an introduction to ways of reading and interpreting images. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 1050 Highlights of American Art (4 Credits)

This course introduces American art by focusing on a single work of art each week. Through readings, illustrated lectures, discussion and museum visits, we explore the social, political, historical and cultural contexts of each masterwork; learn something about the featured artist's life and artistic processes; and discover related examples of fine and popular art from the seventeenth century to the present. In the process, participants refine their ability to look, describe, analyze and critique the visual. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 1060 Contemporary Art Worlds (4 Credits)

Have you ever wondered how a calf suspended in formaldehyde can sell at an art auction for nearly twenty-four million dollars? This class introduces the contemporary art world and explores how art functions within our society. Topics include the art market, the politics of museums, censorship and public funding, and popular cultural representations of the artist. We also look at how contemporary artists are engaging with some of the most important issues of our day. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 1988 Study Abroad Resident Credit (0-18 Credits)

ARTH 2801 World Art I: Prehistory to c. 1000 (4 Credits)

This is the first quarter in a three-quarter foundation course in world art. Students will become familiar with significant examples of art, architecture and material culture emerging out of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa from the Paleolithic era to approximately the year 1000. Students will consider the crucial role of these images and objects in the formation of their respective historical and cultural contexts. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 2802 World Art II: c.1000-1700 (4 Credits)

This is the second quarter of the three-quarter foundation course in world art. Students will become familiar with significant examples of art, architecture and material culture emerging out of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa from approximately the year 1000 to 1700. Students will consider the crucial role of these images and objects in the formation of their respective historical and cultural contexts. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 2803 World Art III: 1700 to the Present (4 Credits)

This is the third quarter of the three-quarter foundation course in world art. Students will become familiar with significant examples of art, architecture and material culture emerging out of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa from approximately the year 1700 to the present. Students will consider the crucial role of these image and objects in the formation of their respective historical and cultural contexts.

ARTH 2814 Medieval Art (4 Credits)

This course examines the art produced in Western Europe and the eastern Mediterranean from the 4th to 14th centuries. From the transition of the Late Roman Empire into new political and artistic climates of the Early Medieval period up through the lavish expanse of Late Gothic art we will explore the religious, political, cultural and artistic forces that shaped the creation of artistic monuments for over an thousand years. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 2840 Survey of Asian Art (4 Credits)

An introduction to major monuments, traditions and civilizations of India, China and Japan. This class may be used to fulfill the non-Western requirement for majors in the School of Art and Art History. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTH 3035 Whitewalling: Racial Politics of the Art World (4 Credits)

Aruna D’Souza defines whitewalling as “a neologism that expands in many directions: the literal site of contention, i.e., the white walls of the gallery; the idea of ‘blackballing’ or excluding someone; the notion of ‘whitewashing,’ or covering over that which we prefer to ignore or suppress; the idea of putting a wall around whiteness, of fencing it off, of defending it against incursions.” By examining the state of the art world through the lens of critical race and ethnic studies, this course will investigate a series of case studies that highlights these many manifestations of whitewalling in modern and contemporary art. Through lectures, readings, discussions, and written assignments, the course aims to explore the following questions: How does race intersect with art and art history? How do the shifting racial politics of the art world map histories of racial construction, systemic oppression, and subversive resistance? Should artistic freedom be prioritized, limited, or censored when an artwork includes harmful racial representations or ideologies? How can art institutions be critiqued as sites of contention? And perhaps most importantly, how can art scholars, workers, and creators collectively move towards a politics of racial justice? In this course, students will not only engage in art historical debates that address the critical role that art has played in shaping perceptions of race and racism, but students will also consider how the art world can provide platforms for anti-racist solidarity and protest.

ARTH 3300 Seminar in Art History (4 Credits)

This seminar is primarily designed to introduce students to the advanced research techniques and methods of art history. The thematic content of this course changes. Students develop skills to analyze scholarly literature, to refine research papers and to deliver oral presentations.

ARTH 3400 Portfolio* Professional Development and Creative Practices in Art History (4 Credits)

Portfolio is a professional development and creative practices course, introducing the practicalities of staple jobs for Art History majors and minors as well as the range of other possible career tracks and additional academic studies. The course combines an inquiry-based classroom experience with a signature seminar format and guest lecture series. Such a teaching+learning approach will not only improve your criticality but also strengthen your adeptness at investigation and analysis; deepen your knowledge of concepts, principles, and platforms for today’s creative industries; expand your professional networks; and provide hands-on, career-oriented experiences as you prepare your own portfolio for the contemporary marketplace.

ARTH 3652 Internship (1-4 Credits)

By arrangement, advanced undergraduate art history students may intern in an art gallery, small museum, historic house, non-profit art organization, archive or library. See guidelines and contract form in the School of Art and Art History office.

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 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 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 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 3988 Study Abroad Resident Credit (0-18 Credits)

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 3995 Independent Research (1-4 Credits)

ARTH 4035 Whitewalling: Racial Politics of the Art World (4 Credits)

Aruna D’Souza defines whitewalling as “a neologism that expands in many directions: the literal site of contention, i.e., the white walls of the gallery; the idea of ‘blackballing’ or excluding someone; the notion of ‘whitewashing,’ or covering over that which we prefer to ignore or suppress; the idea of putting a wall around whiteness, of fencing it off, of defending it against incursions.” By examining the state of the art world through the lens of critical race and ethnic studies, this course will investigate a series of case studies that highlights these many manifestations of whitewalling in modern and contemporary art. Through lectures, readings, discussions, and written assignments, the course aims to explore the following questions: How does race intersect with art and art history? How do the shifting racial politics of the art world map histories of racial construction, systemic oppression, and subversive resistance? Should artistic freedom be prioritized, limited, or censored when an artwork includes harmful racial representations or ideologies? How can art institutions be critiqued as sites of contention? And perhaps most importantly, how can art scholars, workers, and creators collectively move towards a politics of racial justice? In this course, students will not only engage in art historical debates that address the critical role that art has played in shaping perceptions of race and racism, but students will also consider how the art world can provide platforms for anti-racist solidarity and protest.

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 major goal of this course is to learn methods and resources for doing primary research in the history of art. In this practicum, students will gain practical research experience by carrying out original research on two projects: research on an object from the DU collection and research on a contemporary artist. Students will learn to track down biographical information, locate and examine works of art, and reconstruct historical context using archival, material, human, and electronic sources. Students will learn to develop research questions, create and follow through on a research strategy, organize research data, and document the research process. This course will help you prepare for many aspects of your graduate papers, including the Master’s Research Paper. Required of all MA students 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 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 4656 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 4661 Learning in Museums (4 Credits)

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

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 4813 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 4815 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. Learning Outcomes.

ARTH 4817 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 4818 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 4822 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 4823 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 4825 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 4832 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 4834 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 4862 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 4863 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 4872 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 4875 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 4880 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 4881 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 4910 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 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.

ARTS 1015 Thinking & Making in the Visual Arts (4 Credits)

This course explores the language of the visual arts and how it can be used to communicate ideas about culture, history and the personal. Through hands-on exercises and experimentation in different media students create visual art works that interpret the world around them. This course focuses on different areas of the visual arts that change its focus depending on the area of expertise of the faculty teaching it. (Example: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture.) Students leave the course with a broader understanding of the visual arts, past and present. Students also leave with a more in-depth understanding of the creative process that will inform other areas of studies throughout the University and which will enrich their lives long into the future. Lab fee. This course counts toward the Analytical Inquiry: Society and Culture requirement.

ARTS 1100 2-D Approaches (4 Credits)

Students are introduced to the elements of design, vocabulary of art and visual analysis. Explorations of the formal language of two-dimensional media include color, digital processes and mark making. Students also develop an understanding of compositional strategies, materials and processes. Verbal and written exercises supplement group activities and visual learning. Students explore across material boundaries. Increasing emphasis is placed on subjectivity, content and conceptual development. Lab fee. No prerequisites.

ARTS 1200 3-D Approaches (4 Credits)

Students are introduced to spatial thinking, the fundamentals of structure and construction, and the formal language of three dimensional forms. Applying a variety of materials, explorations include additive and subtractive methods, basic mold making, and an introduction to hand and power tools. Verbal and written exercises supplement the Studio environment and visual learning, and basic digital methods and color relationships are explored. Emphasis is placed on subjectivity, artistic choice and craft, alongside the beginnings of content and conceptual development. Lab fee. No prerequisites.

ARTS 1250 Drawing (4 Credits)

Fundamental drawing practice and history based on selected exercises, slide presentations, comprehensive group/individual critiques and workshops. Still-life and figure drawing are covered in this course. Projects focus on ways to comprehend and draw three-dimensional forms, with emphasis on conceptual issues and use of materials. This class is required of all majors in studio art prior to taking upper-level courses. It is also required of all EDP students.

ARTS 1300 Concepts (4 Credits)

Students integrate the skills and principles acquired from ARTS 1100 and ARTS 1200. Two topics are explored: 'Culture & Context' and 'Time, Space & Duration'. A greater complexity of studio activity is stressed through collaborative exercises and individual approaches to themes. Greater exploration of context and concept is expected, with emphasis on visual communication and personal awareness. Lab fee. Prerequisites: ARTS 1100 or ARTS 1200.

ARTS 1400 4D Approaches (4 Credits)

Students are introduced to the fundamental principles of four-dimensional art and design through a survey of concepts, techniques, and practices. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and experimentation through investigations of technological form and innovation, time and motion, and the ephemeral. Verbal and written exercises supplement group activities and visual learning. Lab fee. No prerequisites.

ARTS 1988 Study Abroad Resident Credit (0-18 Credits)

ARTS 2000 Open Media Studio (4 Credits)

This course is a topic driven, interdisciplinary research studio. Students investigate the topic and their relationship to it in a variety of media, and supplement their inquiry with research that occurs outside the classroom. An exploration of different processes, materials, expression and connection with the larger world is emphasized. Lab fee. All students must complete ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2045 Intermediate Drawing (4 Credits)

This course covers a wide range of materials and ideas, both traditional and experimental. Emphasis is divided between technical and conceptual issues, building on the skills established in ARTS 1250 Drawing. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 2055 Color (4 Credits)

Color is a studio-based course focused on developing a more sophisticated and practical understanding of how colors act on us and vice versa, physiologically, psychologically, emotionally and culturally. It is designed specifically to enhance the abilities of people who work with color, be they painters, web designers, video artists, art historians, art therapists or conservators. However, because of the intentionally basic level of art skills involved, this is a course that is also taken by non-art majors with success. It includes in-class color work that retrains students in their ability to "see" more color and to become confident in their ability to interpret and manipulate color for any specific need. In addition, there is required reading on the physics of color, and discussion of the historical influences and legacy of color in primarily Western culture. Lab fee. Majors should complete ARTS 1250 and ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2115 Introduction to Oil Painting (4 Credits)

Introduction to Oil Painting builds on the ideas and skills learned in Drawing. Working with oil paint, students explore the possibilities of creating the illusion of three-dimensional form and space on the flat surface of a canvas. Emphasis is on really looking to heighten one's visual awareness of the physical world and seeing the effects light has on form, color and space. Students work from objects, the human form (models), imagination and art history. Critical abilities will be developed as students learn to think, speak and write about art. Discussions and critiques explore the social, political and the expressive possibilities of art-making. Students are given individual work-space to focus and develop their paintings. Students complete paintings in and out of class; contemporary and historical artists' work is explored, and students visit an area museum or gallery. Lab fee.

ARTS 2215 Relief Printmaking (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected areas of relief printmaking and related contemporary attitudes. This course covers relief, ranging from linoleum and woodcut processes to experimental approaches. Group and individual critiques. Digital image presentations. Examination of actual prints. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor. Art majors must also complete ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2225 Intaglio Printmaking (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected areas of Intaglio printmaking. Emphasis is placed on conceptual and technical development, and on personal expression through this medium. Group and individual critiques. Digital image presentations. Examination of actual prints. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor. Art majors must also complete ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2235 Screen Printing (4 Credits)

This course focuses on water-based screen printing and its applications in a workshop/studio intensive atmosphere. Group and individual critiques. Digital image presentations. Examination of actual prints. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor. Art majors must also complete ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2415 Introduction to Photography (4 Credits)

This class presents the basic concepts of photographic practice and discourse regarding; the historical, cultural and personal impact of photography. The goals are: introduce camera basics: digital photography workflow; (camera, image processing and digital printing); creative cell phone photography; online book publishing; development of an artistic and aesthetic way of seeing; engagement in critical analysis of photography; and most importantly, have fun learning a new skill. Participants will practice basic principles of photography, such as; camera, lighting and composition. Basics of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be presented as post-production editing tools. Emphasis will be on the production of socially engaged photography projects, from conception to print. Creation of a final portfolio will be required, either as an edited selection of prints, or published online. Creation of a personal website will be encouraged. Community engaged collaboration may be a component of this course. Collaboration with another DU class may also be a component. No prerequisites. MUST HAVE A DIGITAL CAMERA WITH MANUAL METERING CAPABILITY. If you are unable to meet this requirement, please contact the professor. Lab fee. Art majors must complete ARTS 1250 and ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2515 Introduction to Ceramics (4 Credits)

This course investigates the unique, material nature of clay as a medium for exploring artistic concepts and ideas. Studio assignments and demonstrations introduce several basic handbuilding methods as well as glazing and firing techniques. This course provides the fundamentals upon which students build their own direction and invention. Emphasis is on experimentation and individuality. Lab fee. Majors must complete ARTS 1250 and ARTS 1300 first.

ARTS 2535 Ceramics: Food and Function (4 Credits)

Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between culture and food. In this class, we explore gastronomic objects associated with food, both functional and sculptural. The importance of food is intimately involved with our concepts and design choices. Studio assignments and demonstrations serve as springboards for the student's own research and interpretations. Students use many different technical approaches such as throwing, handbuilding, casting as well as mixed media. Ultimately, students investigate, create and EAT! Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2515 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 2565 Ceramics: Surface (4 Credits)

This course explores the ceramic surface as a canvas for decoration and narrative in both functional and sculptural forms. Students do extensive exploration and experimentation combining traditional ceramics techniques with those of drawing and printmaking. Students develop ideas on a conceptual level first and then move into creating their pieces, combining the appropriate methods to realize their ideas. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2515 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 2615 Introduction to Sculpture (4 Credits)

Look at the world around you. Everything you see and touch exists in three dimensions—formed by material, space, and structure. Because we live within it, the physical world can be easy to take for granted. But what happens when we begin to truly notice how objects occupy space and how materials shape our experience of the environment? This course introduces the creative and conceptual possibilities of sculpture through studio projects that explore form, space, structure, and material. Students develop spatial thinking and an understanding of how three-dimensional works are conceived, constructed, and experienced. Through making, discussion, and critique, the course emphasizes experimentation, artistic choice, and the development of craft and emerging conceptual ideas. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1400, or ARTT 2200. Course may held concurrently with ARTS 3635 Advanced Sculpture.

ARTS 2645 Mold Making and Casting (4 Credits)

This course explores mold making and casting as a way to reproduce sculptural form and generate meaning. In this class, students are introduced to techniques for reproducing form such as open face molds, two-part molds, and castings from life. Students learn to express ideas by exploring the conceptual significance of material and form. Assignments teach technical skills while fostering conceptual development. Course content introduces students to contemporary artists and critical dialog. Prerequisites: One of the following, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1400, or ARTT 2200.

ARTS 2701 Topics in Studio Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in studio art research. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.

ARTS 2775 Integrated Practice (4 Credits)

The overall approach of Integrated Practice (IP) is to offer students ways to articulate their individual "non-art" degree interests and knowledge as artistic outcomes. Modeled as a Studio course in format (curiosity, research, and making) the course encourages the expression of knowledge in other areas (Biology or International Studies, for example) through the vehicle of art. Additionally, the course offers students opportunities to pursue and further existing art skills and experiment with new ones, so choices of medium and process are flexible. For example, if a student enjoys photography or sculpture, there will be options to explore the projects using those mediums or technical approaches. Projects in IP will examine different means to translate non-visual knowledge to that which is visual or tangible. Examples may include ways to visualize "data" (broadly), exploring the approaches of mapping to examine the real and the imaginary, and more site-specific/interactive means of addressing ideas of place. There are options for 2 dimensional, 3 dimensional and virtual explorations of ideas, building further bridges between disciplines. Overall, the course encourages a holistic synthesis between "non-art" knowledge (academic or otherwise) and art making practice. Course pre-requisites include at least two prior ARTS (Studio) courses and/or permission of the instructor.

ARTS 2821 Expanded Drawing (4 Credits)

This course uses drawing as a foundational tool to explore artistic production in the realm of new media art. Students will investigate tools, tactics, and cultural significance of art making in the age of digital reproduction. With a goal of creating meaningful digital and analog artistic experiences through the thoughtful and creative use of ideas, concepts, and contemporary technologies. Topics may include installation, film and video, physical computing, net art, performance, animation, physical/digital based media, and sound. Prerequiste: One of the following, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1400, or ARTT 2200. This course's credits can be applied to the Art, Culture & Technology major and minor.

ARTS 2822 Digital Printmaking (4 Credits)

This course explores contemporary printmaking practices that incorporate digital processes alongside traditional handmade techniques. Students investigate how digital tools intersect with material printmaking methods through a series of studio projects that emphasize experimentation, technical development, and conceptual inquiry. The course introduces historical and contemporary approaches to printmaking while encouraging students to explore hybrid processes that combine digital image production with physical printing techniques. Instruction includes technical demonstrations, lectures, digital image presentations, and the examination of original prints. Students engage in both group and individual critiques to develop critical vocabulary and refine their artistic intentions. Emphasis is placed on process, experimentation, and the integration of digital and analog methods within contemporary print practice. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or ARTT 2200. This course's credits can be applied to the Art, Culture & Technology major and minor.

ARTS 2826 Spatial Video (4 Credits)

In this course, students will use video as a means of spatial exploration. Students will create sculptures and installations that incorporate video screens and projectors. The class will explore how video can be used as a sculptural material to activate space and engage the body. Students will learn to capture and edit video, use digital screens, projectors, and expand their fabrication skills. Students will be introduced to a wide range of contemporary artists working at the intersection of video and space. Prerequisite: One of the following, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1400, or ARTT 2200. This course's credits can be applied to the Art, Culture & Technology major and minor.

ARTS 2827 Radical Matter (4 Credits)

This experimental studio course investigates the creative potential of living, organic, and unconventional materials through the lens of contemporary material theory. Drawing on ideas from new materialism, posthumanism, and ecological thought, the course approaches matter not as passive substance but as an active collaborator in the artistic process. Students will work with biomaterials such as fungi, bacterial cultures, bioplastics, and other responsive materials to explore how sculptural form can emerge through processes of growth, transformation, and decay. Studio experimentation will be paired with discussions of contemporary artists and critical texts that challenge human-centered approaches to making. Through hands-on research, material cultivation, and sculptural experimentation, students will develop projects that engage matter as dynamic, agentive, and entangled with broader ecological systems. Prerequisite: One of the following, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1400, or ARTT 2200. This course's credits can be applied to the Art, Culture & Technology major and minor.

ARTS 2988 Study Abroad Resident Credit (0-18 Credits)

ARTS 3055 Advanced Drawing (4 Credits)

Working with a variety of materials and techniques, students hone their drawing skill and at the same time create finished drawings defined by content. Problems posed encourage independent thinking, experimentation and the development of a personal technical base. Lab Fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2045 or ARTS 3065 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 3065 Life Drawing (4 Credits)

An intensive course in drawing the human figure, clothed and unclothed, to explore the human form in terms of proportion, movement, light and shadow, composition, color and personal expression. Students experiment with a range of materials. Lab Fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 3125 Figure Painting (4 Credits)

An intensive course in painting the human body--the most timeless subject of art. Students work mainly in oils and experiment with a variety of surfaces and techniques. Students also investigate line, proportion, light and shadow, composition and color. Final project: life-size painting of two figures. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2115 or ARTS 3065 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 3145 Painting Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and approaches to painting. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab Fee.

ARTS 3245 Printmaking Workshop (4 Credits)

This upper-level course focuses on various topics and processes as the definition of contemporary printmaking evolves. Subjects such as lithography or intermediate screen printing, photo-based prints, or current themes relevant to printmaking are possible core formats for the course. Group and individual critiques, digital image presentations and examination of prints and reproductions. Lab fee. Prerequisites: sophomore standing and ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor. Art majors must also complete ARTS 1300 first. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.

ARTS 3347 Professional Practice (4 Credits)

This course is required of BFA studio art majors and is open to BA art majors. It covers practical artist survival skills, including resume and cover letter writing, exhibition proposals, documentation of art work, artist statements, portfolio development and professional presentation of self and work. The course is reinforced by field trips and guest speakers who introduce both academic and non-academic art experiences and professions. Lab fee.

ARTS 3348 Senior Practicum in the Visual Arts (4 Credits)

Required for all studio BFA candidates. Students are expected to begin research and investigation for work that may be included in the BFA exhibitions. Emphasis is placed on a three-pronged assessment consisting of Idea/Concept/Voice, Theory/History/Research and Craft/Technique. Lab fee.

ARTS 3349 Senior Seminar in the Visual Arts (4 Credits)

Required for all studio BFA candidates. Students pursue work individually and demonstrate a synthesis of ongoing research, demonstrate development and participate in structured weekly critiques with other studio BFAs and faculty. This work is a meaningful extension of fall and winter quarters and extends beyond the installation of BFA exhibition. Emphasis is placed on discussions and critiques centered on the three-pronged assessment initiated in winter quarter of Idea/Concept/Voice, Theory/History/Research and Craft/Technique. Lab fee.

ARTS 3452 Photography and Society (4 Credits)

This course celebrates the enduring tradition of social documentary photography and visual storytelling. Participants will practice basic principles of photography, such as; camera, lighting and composition. Basics of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be presented as post-production editing tools. Contemporary Social Documentary Photography practice will be positioned within the context of the history of photography. Emphasis will be on the production of socially engaged photography projects, from conception to print. Creation of a final portfolio will be required, either as an edited selection of prints, or published online. Creation of a personal website will be required. Community engaged collaboration will be a component of this course. Collaboration with another DU class may also be a component. No prerequisites. This course may satisfy one requirement for a Photography and Society Certificate. "Photography and Society." Students must have a digital camera with manual metering capability; contact the professor if you cannot meet this requirement.

ARTS 3455 Photography Workshop: Alternative Processes in Photography (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and approaches to photography. Topics change. Projects are viewed and discussed in critique sessions. Students must have a film or digital camera. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee. Prerequisites: ARTS 2415 Introduction to Photography or permission of the instructor (requires demonstrating proficiency in photography via a portfolio or website).

ARTS 3555 Ceramic Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and experimental approaches to ceramics. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2515 or approval of instructor.

ARTS 3635 Advanced Sculpture (4 Credits)

This advanced course emphasizes the experiential and conceptual aspects of sculpture, and the interrelationship of ideas, form, material and technical means. Course content supports in-depth student research into contemporary art and fosters critical dialog. Lab fee. Prerequisites: ARTS 2615. Majors should complete the foundations sequence first (ARTS 1100, ARTS 1200, ARTS 1250, ARTS 1300).

ARTS 3645 Advanced Mold Making & Casting (4 Credits)

This course explores moldmaking and casting as a way to reproduce sculptural form and generate meaning. In this class, students are introduced to advanced techniques for reproducing form such as multiple part molds and rotocasting. Students hone their ideas by exploring the conceptual significance of material and form. Assignments teach technical skills while fostering conceptual development. Course content supports in-depth student research into contemporary art and fosters critical dialog.

ARTS 3655 Sculpture Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and experimental approaches to sculpture. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee.

ARTS 3701 Topics in Studio Art (4 Credits)

Selected topics in advanced studio art research. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee. Prerequisite: instructor's permission.

ARTS 3865 Senior Project: Conservation (4 Credits)

Required for, and limited to, BFA pre-art conservation majors. It is normally taken spring quarter of the senior year. The student works with a professional art conservator on a major conservation project that will become part of his or her portfolio and will be exhibited in the senior BFA exhibition.

ARTS 3915 Advanced Problems in Art (1-5 Credits)

This course is for students who have completed all 3000-level courses in a given area of concentration to show proficiency and wish to pursue more advanced work. A proposal form must be obtained from the art office and signed by the instructor and the Director of the School of Art and Art History before the student registers for this course. Variable credit. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee.

ARTS 3960 Conservation Internship (4 Credits)

The internship is normally taken during the fall of a major's senior year, under the direction of a professional Conservator, either in private practice or in a conservation department. Students should work closely with their advisor to arrange the Conservation Internship during the quarter before it will be taken. The student works on a wide variety of materials and problems in conservbation during this internship, gaining as varied an experience as possible and developing a professional portfolio. Must be a BFA major in Pre-Art Conservation.

ARTS 3980 Studio Art Internship (1-4 Credits)

The student is responsible for locating the internship and gaining approval for it, using the internship guidelines and contract form in the art office. Typical internships have been located in commercial galleries, fine art printmaking houses, professional artists' studios and non-profit arts organizations.

ARTS 3988 Study Abroad Resident Credit (0-18 Credits)

ARTS 3991 Independent Study (1-6 Credits)

Supervised studies not addressed in this catalog of classes. Advanced projects must be faculty approved. Permission/registration form is available from the Office of the Registrar.

ARTS 3995 Independent Research (1-10 Credits)

ARTS 3999 Exit Survey (0 Credits)

All majors in the School of Art and Art History are required to register for ARTS 3999 during their final quarter of study at the University of Denver. The course is completed by taking the online exit survey. It does not bear credit; no tuition is assessed and no grade is given. Majors cannot graduate until they complete this requirement. The information from this anonymous survey is used by the school to improve its programs. We greatly appreciate our students' help in this regard.

ARTS 4055 Advanced Drawing (4 Credits)

Working with a variety of materials and techniques, students hone their drawing skill and at the same time create finished drawings defined by content. Problems posed encourage independent thinking, experimentation and the development of a personal technical base. Lab Fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2045 or ARTS 3065 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 4065 Life Drawing (4 Credits)

An intensive course in drawing the human figure, clothed and unclothed, to explore the human form in terms of proportion, movement, light and shadow, composition, color and personal expression. Students experiment with a range of materials. Lab Fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 1250 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 4125 Figure Painting (4 Credits)

An intensive course in painting the human body--the most timeless subject of art. Students work mainly in oils and experiment with a variety of surfaces and techniques. Students also investigate line, proportion, light and shadow, composition and color. Final project: life-size painting of two figures. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2115 or ARTS 3065 or permission of instructor.

ARTS 4145 Painting Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and approaches to painting. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab Fee.

ARTS 4452 Photography and Society (4 Credits)

This course celebrates the enduring tradition of social documentary photography and visual storytelling. Participants will practice basic principles of photography, such as; camera, lighting and composition. Basics of Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be presented as post-production editing tools. Contemporary Social Documentary Photography practice will be positioned within the context of the history of photography. Emphasis will be on the production of socially engaged photography projects, from conception to print. Creation of a final portfolio will be required, either as an edited selection of prints, or published online. Creation of a personal website will be required. Community engaged collaboration will be a component of this course. Collaboration with another DU class may also be a component. No prerequisites. This course may satisfy one requirement for a Photography and Society Certificate. "Photography and Society." Students must have a digital camera with manual metering capability; contact the professor if you cannot meet this requirement.

ARTS 4555 Ceramic Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and experimental approaches to ceramics. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTS 2515 or approval of instructor.

ARTS 4655 Sculpture Workshop (4 Credits)

Concentration on selected techniques and experimental approaches to sculpture. Topics change. Course may be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee.

ARTS 4966 Studio Art Travel (1-4 Credits)

A travel course to selected locations to visit galleries, museums and artists' studios. Location and content of course change. Variable credit. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee.

ARTS 4980 Studio Art Internship (1-4 Credits)

The student is responsible for locating the internship and gaining approval for it, using the internship guidelines and contract form in the art office. Typical internships have been located in commercial galleries, fine art printmaking houses, professional artists' studios and non-profit arts organizations.

ARTS 4991 Graduate Independent Study (1-12 Credits)

This course is for MFA candidates who wish to pursue graduate-level independent work under the guidance of a studio art faculty member. Permission of the student's graduate advisor and the studio art instructor must be obtained before enrolling. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits.

ARTT 2000 Introduction to Art, Culture & Technology (4 Credits)

This course introduces the foundational practices and methods involved in creating art with technology in the 21st century. Student engagement with technical skills will be informed by the making practices evident in prominent cultures, subcultures, and countercultures such as gaming communities, indie electronic arts scenes, open-source software development, and DIY publishing. Through a series of individual and collaborative projects, students will develop an understanding of art’s engagement with critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving beyond industry standards. Lab fee.

ARTT 3100 Programming for Play (4 Credits)

This course offers an introduction to the creation of games and playful interactive objects. Students explore the space of socially conscious and humane games as well as investigate the creation of compelling interfaces and interactive opportunities. Specific topics will vary each time the course is taught, and the course is repeatable up to two times. Lab fee. Pre-requisites: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3110 Tabletop Game Design & Prototyping (4 Credits)

This course is a rigorous investigation into games, rules, systems, interaction, and the iterative design methodology through the rapid creation of paper-based and physical game prototypes. The ambition is for each student to create one new game per week in response to varying material and conceptual constraints. Participants both create and constructively critique games created by classmates. Participants are expected to become reflective in their play. Class time is devoted to play-testing and discussion. Lab fee. Prerequisite: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3112 Big Games: Human-Scale Game Design (4 Credits)

This course is a rigorous investigation into games, rules, systems, interaction, collaboration, and the iterative design methodology through the rapid creation of large, human scale, "Big Games." The ambition is for students, working in changing collaborative groupings, to rapidly create games in response to varying material and conceptual constraints. Participants will both create and constructively critique games created by classmates. Participants are expected to become reflective in their play. Class time will be devoted to play-testing and discussion. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3120 Making Critical Games (4 Credits)

Students are challenged to create games (board, physical, video-, and hybrid games) that respond to social conditions in a critical manner while still maintain an essential ludic quality. Public good and civic engagement projects are welcomed. The course may be repeated with instructor permission when projects vary. Specific topics will very each time the course is offered, and the course is repeatable up to 3 times. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3210 Typographic Landscapes (4 Credits)

This class is a rigorous investigation of the expressive potential of typography as a crucial element of visual expression and electronic media. This class presumes no background in typography. Students are guided through project-based explorations that range from hand-rendered inter-letter spatial relationships to the typesetting of modest sets of pages for paper and e-books. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3490 Expanded Cinema (4 Credits)

This course introduces several forms of emerging practices that take the cinematic arts out of the cinema. The class introduces video and audio production skills that include remixing; video synthesis; sonic visualization; and using live camera and other media sources. These skills can be applied to VJ sets, live audiovisual performances, generative and interactive installations, and projection mapping. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3500 Sonic Arts (4 Credits)

This course introduces the tools and techniques of the sonic arts, including field recording; sound editing and effects processing; sampling and synthesis; and mixing. Students will survey a variety of sonic arts, historical and contemporary, to understand techniques and strategies for developing and distributing sonic artifacts. Sonic artworks can be developed for use in different scenarios (experimental compositions, video or game soundtracks) and venue contexts (gallery installations, performances, and web-based outlets). Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3700 Topics in Culture (1-4 Credits)

Topics vary. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3710 Critical Game Studies (4 Credits)

This course is a critical investigation of contemporary ludic cultures. Ludic cultures are environments and practice of play. This course is taught with a hybrid teaching model where games are treated as texts, and outcomes are in the form of discussion and synthetic media responses. We construct and play a hyper-local canon of games, both in and outside of class. We read from the growing body of literature in game studies. We reflect and respond to these texts through shareable media. This course satisfies a cultures requirement for Art, Culture, & Technology majors and minors. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3720 Cultures of Typographic Design (4 Credits)

We will explore both Western and Non-western narratives of typographic cultures. We will attempt to understand the history and dissemination of this technology and its complex interrelationship with cultures of the word. We will look at Hammurabi's and Hadrian's monumental inscriptions. We will look at the Chinese invention of movable type, and Gutenberg's instantiation of similar technology in the 15th century. We will trace how certain typefaces followed and reinforced empires, and how certain compositional aesthetics challenged empires and hegemonies into the 21st century. We will explore contemporary parametric letterforms and their impact on visual aesthetics. No prerequisites. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3750 Sound Cultures (4 Credits)

This course explores some of the new sound technologies and practices that have emerged alongside a new field of interdisciplinary sound studies. Much of the course content emphasizes contemporary sonic experience and auditory ways of being in the world, including the study of genres like glitch, vaporwave, hauntology, dub, techno, generative music, sound art, and modular systems. Students will develop a sonic literacy that covers how we: listen constructively with sound technologies; work with diverse sonic materials; and appreciate the creative and critical dimensions of sound making. Course outcomes will include making a podcast and other sonic artifacts. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3780 Science Fiction: Speculative Cultures (4 Credits)

This course explores the intersections of art and technology using the thought experiments, technical extrapolations, and social criticisms of science fiction. Students will engage with a range of both canonical and contemporary science fiction and speculative fiction media, including short stories and theory, film and television, and other expanded media such as visual art, audio, graphic novels, and games. Students will critically and creatively explore conceptual approaches such as world-building, speculative technology design, digital aesthetics, and more. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3790 Spiritual Technologies (4 Credits)

This course encourages you to think critically and creatively about the intersections of technological systems with spiritual ways of knowing and being in the world. Traditional spiritual technologies range from holy texts and icons, divinatory systems like the I Ching and Tarot, prayer or meditation adjuncts like singing bowls, prayer beads and wheels, crystals, and much more. The human body itself may also be regarded as a spiritual technology honed through practices including yoga, dance, ritual gathering, and public service. In this class, you will put some of these traditional aspects of spiritual practice—and those you’ll think of that I haven’t—into dialogue with emerging technologies and cultural systems of your own design. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3800 Special Topics in the ACT Studio (4 Credits)

Selected topics in making-practices for art, culture, & technology. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 credits. Lab fee. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3980 Internship (1-8 Credits)

Independent Study form required. Pre-reqs: ARTT 2000.

ARTT 3991 Independent Study (1-8 Credits)

Independent Study form required.