Course Catalog 2008-2009
Associate Professor Karl Sandin, Chair
Associate Professors Joanna Grabski, Karl Sandin, Joy Sperling; Visual Resource Specialist Jacqueline Pelasky; Academic Secretary Jill A. LeVere
The Art department offers a major in Art History (B.A.) and expects two 100-level Art History (ARTH) courses and one 100-level Studio course to be completed by the end of the second year. All students who plan to major in Art History are strongly advised to seek an advisor/mentor within the Art department at the time of their decision to major. Candidates for the B.A. in Art History are strongly advised to acquire a reading knowledge of languages relevant to areas of interest. Students should expect to work three clock hours per week outside of class for each credit hour of a course.
- Eleven courses: Ten courses will be selected from Art History; the eleventh course will be a 100-level Studio Art course. Eight Art History courses must be chosen from 100-and 200-level courses; three must be at the 100 level and five at the 200 level. The student in consultation with an Art History advisor must be sure that these eight selections include two courses each from these four areas: Ancient Renaissance; 19th and 20th Century; Africa, South Pacific, and the Americas; and Asian Art. The final two Art History courses must be taken in the senior year: Art History 380 Methods of Art History and Criticism (4 credits) and Art History 400 Senior Art History Project (4 credits).
- Senior Research Thesis: Majors must complete a substantial research paper by mid-second semester, senior year and participate in the Senior Symposium as described below. Research topics are to be arranged between the student and advisor.
- A limit of two courses towards the major may be taken from institutions other than Denison (including off-campus programs) and at least six Art History courses must be taken at Denison.
A minimum of six courses (five in Art History and one in Studio Art) should be taken as follows: one 100-level Art History course; at least two from the following areas: Ancient to Baroque; Nineteenth to Twenty-first Century; and Africa, South Pacific and the Americas; and Asian Art; two elective Art History courses; and ARTS 110/170 or ARTS 121/171, or ARTS 141/172 for the Studio Art course. A limit of two courses toward the minor may be taken from institutions other than Denison.
All juniors in Art History are required to make a formal 5 to 10-minute presentation of current work or research, along with a statement about why the work is important to them and why they have taken it in a specific direction. The presentation is made to the faculty and to the student's peers as a "mini-symposium" once during the fall semester of the junior year. A spring symposium will be held to accommodate students who are off-campus for the fall semester. There is also a Senior Symposium at which Art History seniors make a formal presentation on their research to an invited audience.
Introduction to Art History (ARTH-151). This course is a one-semester introduction to the major monuments, historical movements, theories and methods of (mostly) western art from prehistory to the present day. 4
African Art and Visual Culture (ARTH-154). This course examines the diverse arts and visual culture of Africa. The scope of this course ranges from pre-colonial to contemporary times, considering a selection of objects, concepts and practices from across the continent. The course is designed to provide you with an introduction to these art forms and the various socio-cultural, historical, critical and aesthetic platforms from which they operate. In addition, we will explore some of the key theoretical issues in the portrayal and interpretation of art and visual culture from this world area. 4
Arts of the Western World: Ancient to Medieval (ARTH-155). A general survey of the arts from the Ancient to Medieval times. 4
History of Asian Art Survey (ARTH-157). Survey of the arts of India, China, Japan and Southeast Asia emphasizing works in their historical, religious and social context. 4
Introductory Topics in Art (ARTH-199). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4
Greek Art (ARTH-251). A survey of Greek art and architecture from the Geometric through Hellenistic periods, in the context of the principal events and themes of Greek history. 4
Roman Art (ARTH-252). A survey of Roman art and architecture from the Italo-Etruscan through Late Roman phases. Emphasis on social function of art in Augustan and Late Roman society. 4
Romanesque and Gothic Art (ARTH-254). A survey of Ottonian, Romanesque, Early and High Gothic art and architecture and its place in medieval European culture. Emphasis on developments in France from ca. 1080-1350. 4
Early Christian and Byzantine Art (ARTH-256). A survey of the minor arts, book art, mosaics, frescoes and architecture of the Byzantine Empire from the foundation of Constantinople in 324 A.D. to its conquest by the Turks in 1453 A.D. 4
Early Renaissance Art (ARTH-257). A survey of Italian art and architecture from the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. Emphasis on change and continuity in relation to Classical, Late Antique and Medieval Mediterranean art and society. 4
High Renaissance Art (ARTH-258). A survey of Florentine, Roman and Venetian art and architecture ca. 1480-ca. 1520 and the tradition of Renaissance humanism. 4
Baroque Art (ARTH-259). A survey of Baroque Art in Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Germany and France. 4
Special Topics in Art History (ARTH-262). 4
Special Topics in Art History (ARTH-263). 4
History of Photography (ARTH-270). A survey of the history of photography from its invention in 1839 to the present day. Emphasis is placed on the examination of cultural context and the changing functions of photography in the modern world. 4
Art in America-Colonial to 1939 (ARTH-275). A survey of American art from the early colonial period to World War II. Particular emphasis is given to the cultural context of American art and to the patronage problems facing early American artists. 4
19th Century Art (ARTH-281). A survey of 19th century art from the Age of Revolutions to the beginnings of Abstraction. Issues of the Academy and the Avant Garde, patronage, taste and the function of art in society will be discussed. 4
Early 20th Century Art (Modern Art) (ARTH-282). A survey of 20th century art from Cezanne to the beginnings of Abstract Expressionism. This class focuses on the changing idea of the Avant Garde and the form and theory of modern art. 4
Mid-20th Century Art (Contemporary Art) (ARTH-283). A survey of Contemporary Art from 1945 to 1970. This class focuses on the American art scene from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art, Minimalism, and the taking of art out of the gallery space. 4
New Art (Late 20th Century - 21st Century Art) (ARTH-284). This class focuses on the art scene since 1970. Particular attention is given to the impact of recent theory and art criticism on today's artists. 4
Art of Japan (ARTH-291). A survey of Japanese architecture, sculpture, painting and the decorative arts from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with an emphasis on the works in their cultural and religious context. 4
Art of China (ARTH-292). A survey of Chinese architecture, sculpture, painting and the arts from prehistoric times to the 20th century, with an emphasis on the works in their religious and cultural context. 4
Representing Africa on Film (ARTH-295). An examination of ethnographic/documentary film dealing with Africa as well as contemporary cinema produced by African filmmakers. This class accords particular attention to the perspectives of African filmmakers as agents in the representation of cultures, social realities and histories in Africa. 4
Arts of the South Pacific (ARTH-296). An examination of the diverse arts and cultures of the South Pacific. This course focuses on objects, concepts and practices from Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Australia as well as the portrayal and interpretation of arts from this geographical region in other areas of the world. 4
Power and Politics in African Art (ARTH-297). This course examines the diverse arts of Africa from the perspectives of politics and power. The scope of this course ranges from precolonial to postcolonial times, considering a selection of Africa's great historical kingdoms and politically informed art in Africa today. 4
Arts of Post-Colonial Africa (ARTH-298). This course examines selected issues and debates related to the production, interpretation and collection of visual arts in post-colonial Africa. By way of a series of case studies, we will consider both the individual voices of artists and perspectives from art world information brokers. 4
Intermediate Topics in Art (ARTH-299). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4
Directed Study (ARTH-361). For the student of marked creative ability who wishes to pursue advanced subjects not otherwise listed, such as design, drawing, graphics, ceramics or history and criticism. 1-4
Directed Study (ARTH-362). For the student of marked creative ability who wishes to pursue advanced subjects not otherwise listed, such as design, drawing, graphics, ceramics or history and criticism. 1-4
Independent Study (ARTH-363). 1-4
Independent Study (ARTH-364). 1-4
Methods of Art History and Art Criticism (ARTH-380). This class analyzes the development of the disciplines of Art History and Art Criticism from the 18th to the 20th centuries. Several methodologies will be discussed and students will have the opportunity to work in various methodologies. This class is for senior Art History majors only or by permission of instructor. 4
Advanced Topics in Art (ARTH-399). A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4
Senior Art History Project (ARTH-400). To be used for preparation of senior research paper in second semester of senior year. 4
Art History Seminar: Problems in Art History (ARTH-408). Specialized topics in art history. Topics announced as class is offered. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 4