ARHI 100
Survey of Western Art I: Ancient to Medieval
An introductory survey of the art and architecture of the ancient Near East and of Europe from the Prehistoric through the Gothic periods and an introduction to methods of viewing art in its historical and cultural context. 6 units.
ARHI 102
Survey of Western Art II: Renaissance to Modern
An introductory survey of the art and architecture of Europe and North America from the Renaissance to the Modern era. Particular emphasis on viewing works of art and architecture within their historical and cultural context. 6 units.
ARHI 175
Introduction to the Arts of China and Japan
An introductory survey of the traditional arts of China and Japan from prehistoric times until the beginning of the modern era. The course will examine representative examples of painting, sculpture, architecture, garden designs, and the decorative arts in the context of religious practices and historical developments. 6 units. Also listed as East Asian Studies 175.
ARHI 200
Archaic and Classical Greek Art
A study of Greek art and architecture to the end of the fourth century B.C. Topics include the great sanctuaries at Olympia, Delphi, and Athens; the development of mythological narrative in sculpture and vase painting; the political and propagandistic function of Greek art; and the beginning of portraiture. 6 units. Also listed as Classics 340. Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or sophomore standing
ARHI 202
From Alexander to Kleopatra: Art of the Hellenistic Age
A study of Greek and Greek-influenced art from the time of Alexander the Great to the Roman conquest of Egypt in 31 B.C. Topics include portraiture and the royal iconography of the Hellenistic rulers, the development of regional styles in sculpture, and the influence of the Romans as patrons. 6 units. Also listed as Classics 345. Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or sophomore standing
ARHI 204
Roman Art
A study of the art and architecture of the Etruscans and the Romans to the end of the Roman empire. Topics include the funerary arts of the Etruscans, the art and archaeology of Pompeii and Herculaneum, developments in imperial portraiture and historical relief, technological innovations in architecture, and the beginnings of Christian art. 6 units. Also listed as Classics 350. Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or sophomore standing
ARHI 210
Early Medieval Art and Architecture
A survey of art and architecture in Europe and the eastern Mediterranean between the fourth and ninth centuries. Topics include Imperial-sponsored Christian art, the development of Byzantine art and architecture, the Celtic artistic tradition of northern Europe, and the flowering of art under the Carolingian emperors. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or sophomore standing
ARHI 212
Later Medieval Art and Architecture
A survey of art and architecture in western Europe during the Romanesque and Gothic periods. Topics include the art of the Pilgrimage Roads, the role of the monastic orders, regional styles, the birth of the Gothic style under the patronage of Abbot Suger, and the High Gothic cathedral. 6 units.Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or sophomore standing
ARHI 220
Art of the Italian Renaissance
A study of the art and architecture of Italy from the late 13th century until the early 16th century. Topics include patronage and the art market, the revival and influence of the antique, theories of perspective and design, and changes in the status of the artist. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102 or sophomore standing
ARHI 222
Northern Renaissance Art
A study of the art of northern Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. Issues addressed include changing attitudes toward naturalism, the development of portraiture, the impact of the new media of oil painting and printmaking, and the evolution of landscape painting. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102 or sophomore standing
ARHI 240
19th Century Art
A study of the development of 19th-century European art that traces the emergence of movements such as Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism. Readings and class discussion consider the impact of political instability, industrialization, imperialism, and the growth of popular culture on the production, style, and presentation of painting and sculpture. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102 or sophomore standing
ARHI 242
Modern Art: 1890-1960
A study of 20th-century European and American art that traces the emergence of movements such as Cubism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism. The shifting meanings of art, artistic production, and the definition of the term “artist” are considered against the massive political and social changes of the 20th century. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102 or sophomore standing
ARHI 244
American Art
An examination of American art, 1776-1940. This course considers the growth of landscape, genre, and history painting, as well as portraiture, in the context of changing ideas about nationalism, class, race, and gender. Architecture and sculpture are also discussed in terms of how visual culture shaped early ideas about nationhood. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102 or sophomore standing
ARHI 246
19th-Century Art, Design, and Society in Britain
In the 19th century, Britain was at the height of her imperial and industrial powers, with a burgeoning middle class with increased spending power. Against this background, this course examines the painting (including Turner, Constable, the Pre-Raphaelites, the High Victorians), architecture, furniture, and interiors of the period, utilizing the wealth of examples in London’s museums, galleries, and buildings. 6 units. Offered at the London Centre
ARHI 270
Latin American Visual Art (in English)
The course introduces the cultures of Latin America through a survey of its major movements and artists from the early 19th century to the present. Image-based lectures will be accompanied by discussion of visual and thematically related texts (i.e., biographies, letters, scholarly articles) and carefully selected fragments of videos. Taught in English. 6 units. Also listed as Spanish 575.
ARHI 271
Latin American Visual Art
The course introduces the cultures of Latin America through a survey of its major movements and artists from the early 19th century to the present. Image-based lectures will be accompanied by discussion of visual and thematically related texts (i.e., biographies, letters, scholarly articles) and carefully selected fragments of videos. Taught in Spanish. 6 units. Also listed as Spanish 576. Prerequisite: One 400-level Spanish course, its equivalent, or consent of the instructor
ARHI 272
African-American Art
This course traces the artistic and social legacy of African-American art from the 18th century to the present day. Specifically, it focuses on the ways in which artists used creativity to confront, deny, or complicate understandings of racial identity and racism. 6 units. Also listed as Ethnic Studies 290.
ARHI 302
Women in Classical Antiquity
This course examines the roles of women in ancient Greek, Hellenistic, and Roman societies, using historical, literary, art historical, and archaeological sources. Topics will include these cultures’ constructions of gender and the ways in which they affected the relationship of women (and men) to social, religious, political, economic, and legal institutions. 6 units. Also listed as Classics 355, Gender Studies 215. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
ARHI 310
The Illuminated Book
A study of the development of the decorated, handmade book in western Europe from its earliest beginnings until the invention of printing. Topics include techniques of writing and illuminating, decorative programs of different types of books, Medieval and Renaissance calligraphy, changing relationships between text and image, and the role of the patron. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 100 or consent of instructor; ARHI 210 or 212 recommended
ARHI 320
Contemporary Art
A study of art since 1960. Students will study works and the theories and strategies that have informed their production. Topics include: the impact of gender and ethnicity, new materials and processes, site-specific and time-based works, and alternative venues and approaches toward exhibition. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102, ARHI 242 or sophomore standing
ARHI 350
History of Photography
An examination of the development and history of photography, through a study of its processes, practitioners, and photography-related criticism and theory. Topics include the collusion of art and science, the cultural impact of photography, photography’s role in fine art practice, and the possibilities and limits of “photographic” truth. 6 units. Prerequisite: ARHI 102
ARHI 541
Seminar: Impressionism
This seminar focuses on the style and social commentary of French Impressionist paintings and sculpture. Topics include urbanization, gender representation, and evolving ideas about modernity. This class will also question the contemporary popularity of Impressionism and ask what that popularity means about the needs of current art audiences. 6 units. Prerequisite: One 200- or 300- level ARHI course
ARHI 544
Seminar: Art Nouveau
This seminar examines the Art Nouveau design movement in Europe and the U.S. at the turn of the 19th century with innovations in architecture, decorative arts and graphics. Topics will include the rise of industrialization, the advent of mass consumer society, the “New Woman” and the Symbolist movement. 6 units. Prerequisite: One 200 or 300-level art history course
ARHI 550
Seminar: Portraiture
A seminar exploring various definitions of portraiture, surveying the history of portraiture from antiquity to the present. Student reports and papers focus on such topics as the ruler portrait, the self-portrait, the group portrait, photography and portraiture, and portraiture and modernism. 6 units. Prerequisite: One 200 or 300-level art history course.
ARHI 552
Seminar: Art and Propaganda
A seminar examining the use of art as propaganda from antiquity to the present. The seminar will concentrate on a series of case studies in which art serves as a vehicle for state-sponsored political, social, and religious propaganda. Topics to be considered will include the Imperial image, Reformation and Counter-Reformation print propaganda, the form and function of the war memorial, and the politics of classical revival. 6 units. Prerequisite: One 200 or 300-level art history course
ARHI 580
Internship in Art Museum Practice
Applied work in all aspects of art museum practice. Students will receive practical training, hands-on experience, and periodic lectures on the role of art museums and issues relating to museum governance, promotion, and education. Assessment will be based on weekly project performance, an end-of-term virtual exhibition, and a short paper. 6 units. Prerequisite: Junior standing, major in art, art history, or anthropology; ARHI 100 or ARHI 102; and at least one 200 or 300 level ARHI course
ARHI 190, 390, 590, 690
Tutorial Studies in Art History
Tutorials for advanced students in art history. Apply to the instructor at least one term in advance with a written proposal and a preliminary bibliography. Variable units. Prerequisite: Counter registration required
ARHI 199, 399, 599, 699
Independent Study in Art History
Advanced study for students doing honors projects in art history. Variable units. Prerequisite: Counter registration required
Recent tutorial topics in art history
Hellenistic Royal Portraiture
Women in Classical Athens
The Medieval Architecture of Cistercian Nunneries
The Book of Hours
The Nuremberg Chronicle
The Harlem Renaissance
Gender and Art in the 20th Century
Contemporary Art and Theory
The Illustrated Tale of Genji
Performance Art
The Female Nude in the 19th Century