Art in the West from Antiquity to Modernity

Students will be able to do the following:

• Identify and describe major trends in art and architecture from prehistoric times to the present, and major artists and art movements in the European tradition;
• Identify methods for analyzing visual images, strategies for interpreting works of art, and the cultural significance of visual imagery;
• Apply ideas and methods to encounters with works of art and architecture studies;
• Demonstrate the ability to express ideas clearly, develop a coherent and persuasive argument, write clearly, and accurately cite sources;
• Apply critical thinking to the study of historical monuments and related documentation;
• Recognize diverse ways in which art can be interpreted and the possibilities and limitations of some of the major methods of the discipline; and
• Demonstrate visual literacy skills learned in the course to critically understand and interpret visual imagery encountered in daily life.

Topics

Topics covered in this course include

• The Ancient World
• The Medieval World
• The Early Modern World
• The Modern World