Course Descriptions: Art History

The following is a list of art history courses taught through the department. For further information, you might also read our corresponding pages Degree Requirements: Art History and Two-year Art History Course Schedule.


114 – HISTORY OF WESTERN ART I 3 credits

Gen. Ed.: Arts, Literature, and Performance — Appreciation
Survey of Western architecture, painting, and sculpture from the Pre-historic period to the late Gothic.

115 – HISTORY OF WESTERN ART II 3 credits

Gen. Ed.: Arts, Literature, and Performance — Appreciation
Survey of Western architecture, painting, and sculpture from proto-Renaissance to the present.

118 – HISTORY OF ASIAN ART 3 credits

A survey of architecture, painting, sculpture, ceramics, and gardens produced by societies in Asia from the Prehistoric period to present.

224 – ARTS OF JAPAN AND KOREA 3 credits

Explores the history of Japanese and Korean art from the Prehistoric period to the present day. The works of architecture, gardens, ceramics, sculpture, painting, and other visual forms from the major periods of Japanese and Korean history are examined within social, cultural, political, and religious contexts.

260 – TOPICS IN ART HISTORY 3 credits

Prerequisite: ARTH 114 or 115
Significant figures, styles, movements, and topics in Western art. Does not fulfill an area requirement but can count as elective credit in the major.

270 – TOPICS IN NON-WESTERN & NON-EUROCENTRIC ART 3 credits

Prerequisite: ARTH 114 or 115
Major monuments of architecture, sculpture, and painting of non-Western and/or non-Eurocentric cultural contexts as specified by the topic title. Recent courses taught include African art, Asian art, Islamic, Latin American, and Pre-Columbian art.

303– METHODS OF ART HISTORY 3 credits

ATC: WI; (Och WI/SI)
Prerequisite: Sophomore Art History majors; permission of department chair and instructor
Philosophies of art historical methodologies and summation of principles and historic development of the discipline.

305 – EGYPTIAN AND NEAR EASTERN ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY*

Using the methodologies developed by archaeologists and art historians, this course will examine the artistic and architectural traditions of Egypt and the Near East from prehistoric through the Greco-Roman periods.
*Cross-listed as CLAS 305

310 – GREEK ART 3 credits

Development of Greek art from the early Iron Age through the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods.

311 – ROMAN ART 3 credits

This course is designed to review the major developments in Roman art and architecture from the Italo-Etruscan period to the end of the Roman Empire. Special attention is devoted to the topography and major monuments of the ancient city of Rome.

315 – ART MUSEUM STUDIES 3 credits

The art museum and its role: developing and managing collections and exhibits; interpretation and museum education for diverse publics; funding; governance; ethics and values. Case studies, field trips, practice, and readings included. Does not satisfy the Art History requirement for the Studio Art major; Art History majors may count three credits as an elective course.

317 – LABORATORY IN MUSEUM STUDIES 3 credits

Through the creation of a hypothetical museum, students gain experience working in a team environment as they apply their knowledge about museum audience, collections, education, exhibition, organization and administration, physical plant, and public relations. Does not satisfy the Art History requirement for the Studio Art major, does NOT satisfy Art History elective credit for Art History majors.

325 – EARLY CHRISTIAN, BYZANTINE, & MEDIEVAL ART 3 credits

ATC: WI
This course traces the developments of art and architecture from the beginnings of the Christian tradition through the Byzantine, Hiberno-Saxon, Carolingian, and Ottonian periods. The focus will be on the major monuments from these periods and the related issues of patronage, culture, and liturgy that influenced their creation.

326 – ROMANESQUE & GOTHIC ART 3 credits

A survey of the visual arts of Western Europe from the eleventh through the fifteenth centuries. The works of architecture, sculpture, and painting will be studied with attention to the social, religious, and intellectual frameworks of the societies that produced them. Special emphasis will be given to the monastic tradition, pilgrimage and relic cults, and the urban cathedral.

330 – NORTHERN EUROPEAN ART, 1400-1600 3 credits

An introduction to the artistic traditions of Northern Europe through a focus on such artists as Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden, Bosch, Dürer, and Bruegel. The relations between patron and image will be of particular interest, as will the connections between northern and southern European art during this period.

331 – EARLY ITALIAN RENAISSANCE 3 credits

ATC: SI
A survey of the painting, sculpture, and architecture of Italy from about 1300 to 1475. All major figures, including Giotto, Ghiberti, Donatello, and Botticelli will be considered. Works are examined in terms of setting, patronage, and cultural context in addition to questions of style and meaning. Of particular interest is the relationship between artistic expression and the personalities and institutions of the city of Florence.

332 – HIGH RENAISSANCE & MANNERISM 3 credits

ATC: SI
A survey of the painting, sculpture, and architecture of Italy from about 1475 to 1600. Among the High Renaissance artists considered are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Of special consideration is the nature of the Papacy as a patron of the arts and the city of Rome as a context for artistic activity. The course also considers the reasons for the dissolution of the classical tradition during this time by artists such as Pontormo, Parmigianino, and Giulio Romano.

340 – NORTHERN BAROQUE ART 3 credits

ATC: WI
This course examines the major works of northern European art from the late sixteenth century until around 1700. Issues examined include the influence of antiquity, contacts with Italy, patron age of royal courts as well as the new “middle class,” and the role of religion. Selected works by Rubens, Van Dyck, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Poussin, and others are studied from a variety of interpretative points of view including iconography, style, technique, social and economic circumstances, and the relationship of the visual arts to other cultural productions such as literature and music.

341 – ITALIAN & SPANISH BAROQUE ART 3 credits

This course examines the major works of Italian and Spanish art from the late sixteenth century until around 1700 with some attention paid to the Islamic influences in Spain as well as influences from the arts of the New World. Selected works by Caravaggio, Bernini, Borromini, Velazquez, Zurbaran and others are studied from a variety of interpretative points of view including iconography, style, technique, social and economic circumstances, and the relationship of the visual arts to other cultural productions such as literature and music.

350 – NEOCLASSICISM TO IMPRESSIONISM 3 credits

Painting and sculpture in Europe with emphasis on French Art, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, and Impressionism.

351 – POST-IMPRESSIONISM TO ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM 3 credits

Focuses on the periods of Post- Impression ism to Abstract Expressionism in painting and culture.

352 – AMERICAN ART 3 credits

A survey of American painting and sculpture with emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

354– POP ART TO THE PRESENT 3 credits

This course explores the history of art since 1945 and its critical response.

355 – MODERN ARCHITECTURE 3 credits

A chronological survey of twentieth-century architecture that focuses on the most noted architects and their work, as well as the revolutionary building technologies and aesthetic theories that made such architecture possible. Does not satisfy Modern Area requirement in major.

356 – GLOBAL MODERNISM IN EAST ASIAN ART 3 credits

A global approach to the transformative art scenes outside of Europe and America with a focus on the distinctive, yet intimately related, modern and post-modern art movements of China, Japan, and Korea in the 29th century, including Post-Impressionism, revival of Asian painting traditions, Expressionism, Abstract Expressionism, and post-war avant-garde art.

357 – CONTEMPORARY ASIAN ART 3 credits

Explores diverse contemporary art scenes in and outside of East, South, and Southeast Asia in the last two decades. Includes discussion on experimental art, public art, installation art, new media art, performance art, pop art, feminist art, international art biennials, and the global art market.

360 – SPECIAL STUDIES IN ART HISTORY 3 credits

Concentration in lecture and discussion format on an individual artist, specific problem, limited time period, geographic area(s), or theme. Does not fulfill an area requirement but can count as elective credit in the major. May be offered for study abroad credit by UMW art history faculty (e.g., Venice-Croatia Study Abroad).

450 – TOPICS IN ART & ART HISTORY 3 credits

This course is designed to offer topics that bridge both the disciplines of art history and studio art.

460 – SEMINAR: WOMEN & WESTERN ART 3 credits

ATC: SI (Och)
This course examines the roles women have played in the visual arts in Western traditions, as well as the literature by and about these women. Focus is on the work of women artists, the commissions of women patrons, the responses of audiences to these works, meanings placed on the feminine form, and the work of male artists which has as its subject the female form. Also looks at contemporary issues to examine the role of feminist art as an art that critiques and creates society.

470 – SEMINAR: SPECIAL STUDIES IN ART HISTORY 3 credits

Gen Ed.: Global Inquiry ATC: WI; (Och WI/SI)
Prerequisites: ARTH 114, 115, and 303; for Art History majors and other qualified students permission of instructor
Concentration in seminar format on an individual artist, specific problem, limited time period, or theme.

491, 492- INDIVIDUAL STUDY IN ART HISTORY 3 credits

ATC: WI
Faculty-approved research project, oral presentation, and major paper. Vehicle for those seeking Honors in Art History. Available on a competitive basis. Permission of department Chair and instructor required.

499 – INTERNSHIP credits variable

Supervised off-campus experience developed in consultation with the Art History faculty. A maximum of 3 credits may count toward the major requirements. http://www.umw.edu/careercenter/students/internships/

IDIS 350S – London Study Abroad (Spring Break) 1 credit

Please visit http://international.umw.edu/study-abroad-2/program-search/umw-facultyled-programs/londonmuseums/ for more information.