Time Schedule:
Jeffrey L. Collins
ART H 400
Seattle Campus
Courses on special topics, frequently by visiting faculty, which cannot be offered on a continuing basis. Consult art history office for subjects offered.
Class description
Culture and Society in the Baroque Age (WINTER 2001) (3 credits)
**Meets together with HstEu403** (5 credits)
This interdisciplinary course explores the civilization of Europe during the "Baroque" (late sixteenth through late seventeenth century), a period of profound importance for the emergence of the modern world. Rather than attempting a chronological overview, it aims to study key problems in social, political, cultural, and artistic history through selected original sources. Five mostly two-week units focus on places and moments where the creation of an international "European" culture can be examined from multiple, interlocking perspectives. The course--team taught by instructors from the history and art history department--will explore the operation of court society in an age of "absolutism"; the birth of a new "urbanity" and sophisticated city culture; problems of "center" and "periphery" in an expanding European world; the continuing role of religion and reformation in Europe; the development of a culture industry and a public for cultural consumption; gender roles and the articulation of social identity; the changing status of the artist and his/her patron. By focusing on primary rather than secondary sources, the course aims to enhance students' skills in approaching, analyzing, and writing about cultural artifacts in a variety of media, formats, and contexts.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures with class discussions. Students will be expected to come to class prepared and able to engage with other students on issues raised by the readings and by new material presented in class.
Recommended preparation
Recommended Preparation: This is an upper-level introductory course, and, though there are no prerequisites as such, a general familiarity with the history and/or art of early modern Europe is desirable. Art History classes that would provide good preparation include AH203, AH373, and other more specific courses relevant to this period. History classes useful as background include Prof. Schmidt's HstEur 301, on Early Modern Europe.
Class assignments and grading
Weekly readings; two essay assignments; final examination. Readings will draw chiefly from primary source material--including texts by Galileo, Bredero, Vondel, Quevedo, Drayton, Marino--and will also include select secondary readings. **Note that for those students taking this for five credits, an additional paper (about 8-10 pp.) is also required.**
SUBJECT TO REVISION: (For 3 credits) Short papers 20% each, total of 40%; Take-home final 40%; class participation/contribution 20%
