ARTH 38900 - Theory and Methods of Art History

Course Credit: 1
THEORY AND METHODS OF ART HISTORY: The process of writing about art has played a vital role in forming the conceptual frameworks that art historians draw upon to make sense of past and present cultures. Centering on examples from antiquity through the present day, including Western and nonwestern traditions, this seminar examines approaches to artistic inquiry and material production; it assesses theoretical strategies for understanding the nature and meaning of art. Interdisciplinary in perspectives and scope, we will exercise these lenses to interrogate themes of artistic facture, status and reception, as well as art’s role in shaping social identity, religious expression, political ideology, and cultural experience. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level ARTH course; or permission of instructor