Art History Program
Course Offerings for Fall 2006

317B Bartlett Hall, 545-3595

100 – Survey: Ancient to Renaissance (La Follette)
(AT) MW Lecture 11:15 – 12:05 + Discussion Section
#71229

First half of a survey of art history from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Chronological and systematic approach; either a basis for more detailed study of individual periods in upper-level art history courses, or a solid general foundation for a heightened appreciation of the heritage of art. More professionally oriented than ARTHIS 115. Background for upper-level art history courses; required of majors. May register for Honors.

115 – Introduction to the Visual Arts (Denny)
(ATG) MWF 10:10 – 11:00
#71237

The discipline of art history and the tools of visual analysis it employs. Focus on issues such as Classicism, “primitive” art, realism, and modernity, presented in roughly chronological order. Discussion of these issues in relation to contemporary visual culture. 

323 – European Art 1780-1880 (Solomon Kiefer)
TuTh 1:00 – 2:15
#77362

Nineteenth-century Europe was a period of tremendous social, industrial, and political transformation. Equally dynamic and revolutionary were many of the changes in the visual culture of the era, including the emergence of new art forms – lithography and photography. This course explores European art in the period from 1780 to 1880.  Using a variety of current art historical approaches, major figures from David to Degas, as well as major movements from Neoclassicism to Impressionism, will be considered in the context of social, historical, political, aesthetic, and theoretical issues. Several lectures will take place at the Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, providing an opportunity for close study of original works by such artists as Blake, Goya, Delacroix, Daumier, Manet, and Degas. Prerequisite: ARTHIS 110, 115, or consent of instructor. 

324 – Modern Art, 1880 to 1980 (Ontiveros)
MW 9:05 – 9:55 + Discussion Section
#71264

Introduction to directions and major issues in 20th century art. Focus on movements from Post-Impressionism, Symbolism, Expressionism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism, to post-World-War II and contemporary directions from Abstract Expressionism to Post-Modernism. Prerequisite: ARTHIS 110 or 115 or consent of instructor.

348 – History of Islamic Art and Architecture II (Denny)
MWF 12:20 – 1:10
#77368

Continuation of ARTHIS 347. The artistic expression of the various Islamic peoples from the 14th through 18th centuries through important art works and related historical material. Any one of three 100-level art history courses, or ARTHIS 347 or a course in Islamic history desirable. Alternates with ARTHIS 347

352 – Art of India (Sinha)
MW 1:25 – 2:40
#77387

The course will survey the arts of India from the earliest times to the twentieth century. Class lectures will explore painting, sculpture, and architecture as they embody a relationship between geography, religious beliefs, and cultural history of the subcontinent of India. Our challenge will be to, analyze works of art from different periods of South Asian history and develop critical perspectives through class discussions, analysis of readings and films, and written assignments.  

370 – Junior Year Writing Project (Oedel)
TuTh 11:15 – 1:10
#71241

Course projects which give practice in different types of art historical writing (catalogue entry, book or exhibition review, interpretive essay, technical report) combined with in-class exercises in the writing of analytical and explanatory prose. Topic focuses from semester to semester on a period, culture, and/or individual artist.  Required of all art history majors in their junior year.

384 – Great Themes: Modern & Contemporary Art (Ontiveros)
MWF 12:20 – 1:10
#77370

Issues and developments in American art after 1940 from the present perspective. Cultural and art historical context of the postwar work of American artists from Abstract Expressionism through the most recent options raised in the works themselves, artists’ writings, critics’ interpretations, public reception, and support. Prerequisite: ARTHIS 324. Enrollment limited to about 20. May register for Honors.

385H – Great Themes: The Renaissance at Home: The Art and Architecture of Domestic Space in Italy (Schmitter)
Wed 2:30 – 5:15, Honors course + by instructor consent
#TBD

The course focuses the architecture and interior decoration of the Italian Renaissance house/palace. Topics to be covered include: urban planning, architectural theory, the façade, gender and space, decorative arts, collecting and display practices, as well as particular forms of art made for the domestic realm (cassones, birth platters, portraits, etc.). We will also consider the concepts of the "home" and "house" (in the sense of family as well as dwelling) from anthropological and historical perspectives. Emphasis will be on readings and discussion. Students will give oral presentations and write research papers with the potential to be developed into honors’ thesis.

623 – European Art 1780-1880 (Solomon Kiefer)
TuTh 1:00 – 2:15
#77377

Nineteenth-century Europe was a period of tremendous social, industrial, and political transformation. Equally dynamic and revolutionary were many of the changes in the visual culture of the era, including the emergence of new art forms – lithography and photography. This course explores European art in the period from 1780 to 1880. Using a variety of current art historical approaches, major figures from David to Degas, as well as major movements from Neoclassicism to Impressionism, will be considered in the context of social, historical, political, aesthetic, and theoretical issues. Several lectures will take place at the Mead Art Museum, Amherst College, providing an opportunity for close study of original works by such artists as Blake, Goya, Delacroix, Daumier, Manet, and Degas. 

624 – Modern Art, 1880 to 1880 (Ontiveros)
MW Lecture 9:05 – 9:55 + Discussion Section on Wed 10:10 – 11:00
#71270

648 – History of Islamic Art and Architecture II (Denny)
MWF 12:20 – 1:10
#77378

Continuation of ARTHIS 647. The artistic expression of the various Islamic peoples from the 14th through 18th centuries through important art works and related historical material.  Alternates with ARTHIS 647.

652 – Art of India (Sinha)
MW 1:25 – 2:40
#77380

The course will survey the arts of India from the earliest times to the twentieth century. Class lectures will explore painting, sculpture, and architecture as they embody a relationship between geography, religious beliefs, and cultural history of the subcontinent of India. Our challenge will be to, analyze works of art from different periods of South Asian history and develop critical perspectives through class discussions, analysis of readings and films, and written assignments

674 – Great Themes: Problems in Contemporary Art (Ontiveros)
MW 12:20 – 1:10
#77383

Issues and developments in American art after 1940 from the present perspective. Cultural and art historical context of the postwar work of American artists from Abstract Expressionism through the most recent options raised in the works themselves, artists’ writings, critics’ interpretations, public reception, and support. Prerequisite: ARTHIS 324. Enrollment limited to about 20. May register for Honors.

675 – Great Themes: Women and Renaissance Art: Subjects, Viewers, Patrons and Artists (Schmitter)
Wed 2:30 – 5:15
#78640

Organized as a series of case studies, this course examines the varied roles women played in the creation and appreciation of Italian Renaissance art. Topics to be covered include: the image of the Virgin Mary, profile portraits of women, painted marriage chests (cassone), domestic interior decoration, chapel and altarpiece commissions, nuns' patronage, art collecting, as well as individual female artists. Emphasis will be given to readings and discussion. Students will give oral presentations and write research papers with the potential to be developed into honors' thesis.

794B – Thomas Eakins and His Contemporaries (Oedel)
Tu 2:30 – 5:15
#77385

This seminar will focus on Thomas Eakins and his art within the context of American culture from the Civil War to the turn of the century. Secondary emphasis will be on Winslow Homer, and perhaps Eastman Johnson, William Merritt Chase, Frederic Remington, and George Bellows. At issue will be, for example: the nature of American realism; relationships between painting and photography; responses to the Civil War and Reconstruction; the Colonial Revival; the Centennial and Columbian exhibitions and definitions of a national art; modern constructions of labor, science, technology, leisure, history, learning, masculinity, femininity, athleticism, and spirituality. Participants will be expected to contribute to discussions, complete a midterm take-home exam, make an in-class presentation, and prepare an article-length paper based on original research. Texts will include Elizabeth Johns, Thomas Eakins: The Heroism of Modern Life, selected chapters from other essential books on Eakins, and a packet of materials ranging from Whitman's poetry to historical and methodological studies.