200

An analytical inquiry into the modes and media of visual culture, focused especially on the challenge of contemporary art. Drawing upon examples from ancient building to oil painting to advertisement to video, the focus will be on the nature and variety of expression and interpretation. Active looking, reading, and discussion will be paramount.

This course will be tied to the themes of Hood’s ongoing Humanities Colloquium.  Through selected readings and discussion as well as attendance at the Colloquium presentations themselves, students will be able to pursue some of the central topics of the Humanities and their many connections with art and archaeology.  This course can be retaken twice for credit, as its’ subject continually changes.

Introduction to the histories, types, functions and meanings of museums of art and history. Through reading, discussion, lectures, independent assignments and field trips to major museums in the area, we consider the many sorts of collections, contexts and displays, as well as political and social issues involved in running museums today.

Because of their shared premodern origins and development in eastern Mediterranean contact regions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam’s complex and interwoven histories have dramatically shaped the global cultural landscape. Known collectively as Abrahamic faith traditions, their relationships to one another also differ according to historical time and place. By studying the art, objects, and architecture produced in the service of these religions as well as shared material culture, this class identifies key instances of historical interaction between multi-ethnic, religiously diverse cultures prior to 1500 CE. Scholarly readings and primary literary sources (including the Koran, the Hebrew Bible, and the Gospels) support broader in class discussions of the beliefs underpinning the art of these three faiths.

This course is an introduction to the art and architecture of the premodern world. Beginning with global examples of prehistoric cave painting, we progress in a roughly chronological fashion through major developments in art, material culture, and architecture through ca. 1500. Through both well-known and little-studied case studies, we zero in on moments of social, political, cultural, and religious change while also investigating broader historical narratives of innovation, travel, conflict, and collaboration. Stressing the fundamental interconnectivity of premodern societies and the generative nature of intercultural exchange, this course also seeks to develop the skills of visual and material literacy that are fundamental to our own image-driven world.

This course is an introduction to art and architecture of the modern world. Beginning with global examples of early modern art (ca. 1500), we progress in a roughly chronological fashion up to the present day. We will examine a variety of mediums, including textiles, painting, printmaking, sculpture, architecture, textiles, performance art and video art, in their social, political and cultural context. Stressing the fundamental interconnectivity of our world and the generative nature of intercultural exchange, this course also seeks to develop the skills of visual literacy that are fundamental to our own image-driven world.

Archaeology of North America, from initial settlement to contact with European immigrants. Topics include identity of the first settlers, foraging societies of the Archaic, political development in the Midwest and Southwest, and urbanism in the Mississippian.

An introduction to the history of art and architecture of South and East Asia with an emphasis on India, China and Japan. Consideration of key artworks from each culture and their styles, themes and techniques; includes discussions of gender, ethnicity, class and ideology in the making and viewing of Asian art.

Prerequisite: ENGL 100 or 3 credits from ENGL 110-139. An intro to film aesthetics (cinematography, editing, sound) and formal structure (narrative, documentary, experimental) along with the historical, social, and theoretical contexts that shape our understanding of film art from its origins through to the present day.

This course will consider special topics of interest to students and faculty in the fields of art history and archaeology. Topics will vary.