Senate Document Number 4804S
Date of Senate Approval 04/08/04
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Statement of Faculty Senate Action:
APC Document 39: Deletion of current Art History courses; Addition of new ARTH courses
Effective Date: Fall 2004
Delete: On pg. 62, the course numbers, titles and descriptions for:
ART 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385
Add: On pg 59, before the description for ART 100, the phrase:
Courses in Studio Art (ART)
Add: On pg 64, after the entry for 171-4…471-4 Special Topics in Art (1-4)
Courses in Art History (ARTH)
201 Introduction to Art History I (3)
This course surveys the history of art throughout the world from Paleolithic culture to
the Middle Ages. Students will examine and compare the historical context, social
function, and artistic style of individual works of art. This course also serves as an
introduction to the study of art history by teaching specialized vocabulary and
methodological concepts used in the visual analysis and interpretation of art. Fall.
202 Introduction to Art History II (3)
This course surveys the history of art throughout the world from the early
Renaissance to the present. Students will examine and compare the historical
context, social function, and artistic style of individual works of art. This course also
serves as an introduction to the study of art history by teaching specialized
vocabulary and methodological concepts used in the visual analysis and interpretation
of art. Spring.
310 Greek and Roman Art (3)
This course explores classical culture through an examination of the monuments and
artistic artifacts of ancient Greece and Rome. Even years Fall.
320 Medieval Art (3)
A study of ideas and accomplishments from Roman times through High Gothic. Slide
lecture and discussion. An oral presentation will be required. Odd years Spring.
330 Renaissance Art (3)
A study of ideas and accomplishments in Western visual arts from the 14th century
through the High Renaissance. Focus on painting, sculpture and architecture. An oral
presentation will be required. Odd years Fall.
340 Art of the 17th and 18th Centuries (3)
This course focuses on art and architecture produced during the Baroque, Rococo
and Enlightenment periods of European history. Close attention will be given to art's
relationship to the political, religious, scientific and philosophical developments of the
time. Even years Fall.
350 European Art of the 19th Century (3)
This course surveys the artistic developments in Europe from the emergence of Neo-Classicism in the late 18th century through the Post-Impressionist movements of the
1880s and 1890s. Emphasis will be placed on the political, philosophical, and
technological changes that marked this period of history and contributed to dramatic
shifts in artistic style, subject matter, production methods and patronage. Odd years
Spring.
355 American Art Before 1945 (3)
This course examines art produced in the United States from the colonial period
through the development of Abstract Expressionism in the 1940s. Some of the issues
considered will include the influence of European tradition, art's role in establishing a
national identity, the emergence of the American museum, and the representation of
the historical circumstances of slavery, industrialization, and immigration. See
department chair.
360 Modern Art and Modernism (3)
This course explores the critical concept of Modernism as it applies to European and
American art of the first half of the 20th century. Lectures are supplemented with class
discussions, theoretical and historical readings, and written assignments on the topic.
Fall.
365 Art Since 1960 (3)
This class examines art produced since 1960, emphasizing primarily developments in
the United States and Europe. Attention will be given to the social, historical, and
political context of this period in order to explore the relationship of societal change to
shifts in art-making practice, aesthetic concerns and interests, and the emergence of
non-traditional formats of art such as Performance, Installation, and New Media.
Spring.
380 Art and Architecture in Asia (3)
This course surveys visual art and architecture in India, China, Japan, Korea and
Southeast Asia before 1830. In addition to exploring issues of style, the course will
also consider art's historical context, the influence of various philosophical and
intellectual belief systems, and the impact of cultural exchange on art throughout the
region. Even years Spring.
385 African Art (3)
This course explores African art within the cultural context of the people who created
it. The material covered ranges from the earliest examples in the Neolithic period
until the royal art produced in the 17th century CE. Students will learn stylistic features
of art from varied regions, the tribal affiliation, stylistic art groups and their
development. Even years Spring.
460 Issues in Art History (3)
This seminar will incorporate advanced readings, class discussion and student
research in the exploration of current ideas about a specialized topic art history.
Prerequisite: 6 hours of upper level art history or related courses on the topic. Even
years Fall.
480 Theories and Methods in Art History (3)
This course introduces students to basic approaches to art historical research, and
presents major theoretical positions that have influenced the study of art. This course
will explore the contribution of particular scholars who have contributed to the
discipline of art history, and examine a range of methodologies used to frame the
practice of art historical investigation. Emphasis will be placed on student research,
interpretation and developing oral and written communication skills. Prerequisites: 6
hours of 300-400level art history classes. Odd years Fall.
171-4, 271-4, 371-4, 471-4 Special Topics in Art History (1-4)
Courses not otherwise included in the catalog listing but for which there may be a special need. May be repeated as often as permitted and as subject matter changes. See department chair.
Impact:
These proposed courses reflect a more rigorous and broad ranging curriculum for the study of art history
at UNCA. Their addition will provide Art majors and minors a greater knowledge of art's historical and
cultural significance than currently available. Moreover, these courses would also allow students
throughout the university to learn about major areas of art historical scholarship, to study art history's
theoretical concerns and practice its methods of research, and finally to understand the role of art
historical inquiry within a liberal arts context. In this way, increasing the offerings in art history will
supplement the Integrative Liberal Studies curriculum. The research, visual observation, critical thinking
and written analysis that is fundamental to art historical study demand course requirements that could
meet ILS specifications for Writing Intensive Courses or Information Literacy Courses; ARTH courses
could also be integrated into ILS Topical Clusters as one component of an interdisciplinary, focused
investigation of a particular culture, topic, or historical time period.
Rationale:
The Art Department has not revised nor expanded the Art History curriculum for over a decade; therefore
the course offerings do not reflect dramatic philosophical and pedagogical changes that have occurred in
the discipline in recent years. The current courses are furthermore limited by the need to provide students
a chronological understanding of various artistic movements and historical developments; this need would
be fulfilled by the proposed sequence of ARTH 201 and 202: Introduction to Art History, I and II. Most
importantly, a B.A. with a concentration in Art History demands the Department provide a greater range of
art historical topics and elevate the academic intensity of the courses offered.