ARTH 2500 - Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture

This course introduces the discipline of art history through a variety of cultural and geographic perspectives. Rather than offering a comprehensive narrative that attempts to document centuries of artistic production, we instead focus on key histories, sites, and objects that allow us to explore significant themes and concepts that have challenged cultures over time. We will explore defining issues such as the respective roles of tradition and innovation in the production and appreciation of art; the relation of art and visual culture to its broader intellectual and historical contexts; the role of display and exchange in creating meaning in art; and the changing concepts of the artist, style, and art itself.