Analysis of the central forms and meanings of art history through intensive study of selected artists and monuments. Includes works of architecture, sculpture, painting, and the graphic arts. Topics will vary but might include the Parthenon, Chartres Cathedral, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling. Rembrandt's self-portraits, Monet's landscapes, Picasso's Guernica, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling water, Georgia O'Keeffe's abstractions, ukiyo-e prints, and Benin sculpture.

What is art? Or, what does art do? In this course we will try to answer these questions by surveying works of art from a range of different cultures across the globe that represent tens of thousands of years of human history. The majority of our time will be spent studying non-western art and art created by historically marginalized artists and communities. This class will be divided into modules centralized around important themes in art history that will allow us to consider why art is made, how art is made, and why art is so important to human history.

How did Europe recover from the Black Death in 1348? How was it possible for Florence to become the center of western creativity both before and after that catastrophe? How did Renaissance art develop elsewhere during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries? Was was "primitive" about Botticelli?

Open to highly qualified juniors or seniors who have completed the advanced level courses. May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits. Written proposal required and permission from supervising faculty member.