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HA 102 This course is a survey of topics in European and American art, architecture, design and urban planning from the time of Giotto to the present, as well as an introduction to the techniques of art history. By asking "what problems does a work of art try to solve?" we will examine the story of patronage and the art market, the changing roles of artists in society, and the changing functions of art. We will also ask how artists and their public came to define a "Western tradition" and eventually challenge it. Weekly discussion sections will be devoted to building skills in visual analysis and critical reading of art-historical literature. The course is designed for newcomers to the subject, as well as for students with some background who seek a broader picture of the large sweep of Western culture and art since 1300. Requirements: informed participation in section meetings, regular reading assignments, two short papers, midterm, and a final examination. Students will take a field trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts. The required texts will include a comprehensive survey book to be announced, "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger, and a course pack. A supplemental handbook, Sylvan Barnet's "Short Guide to Writing About Art" is recommended for students new to the subject at the college level. Cost: 3 (Zurier) |
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