Time Schedule:
Margaret L Laird
ART H 201
Seattle Campus
Major achievements in painting, sculpture, architecture, and the decorative arts in Europe, the Near East, and North Africa, from prehistoric times to the beginnings of Christianity.
Class description
This course surveys major achievements in painting, sculpture, architecture and the decorative arts from prehistoric Europe, Egypt and the Ancient Near East to the civilizations of Greece and Rome. This exciting period witnessed the development of complex societies and forms of government, the rise of western philosophical and literary traditions and the spread of new religious systems. To understand the role that art played in these important changes, we will consider a wide range of material, from royal palaces to temples and religious art to images of common men and women. We will emphasize how these monuments functioned within their cultural contexts to understand how they expressed political, social or religious meanings. To aid our analysis, the course also introduces the principles and methods of art historical study.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
The course will consist of three illustrated lectures per week, and smaller section meetings. Section meetings will focus on discussion related to short writing excercises that will amplify the topics, materials and themes of the lectures.
Recommended preparation
General Education
Class assignments and grading
Textbook, xeroxed packet of 6-8 short readings, review of visual material, short written exercises for discussion sections, 2 short essays.
Attendance and participation in sections, midterm and final exams, writing assignments, quizzes
