Art History (BFA)

Learn about the materials, tools, and techniques of the past and present. You'll explore art and the art-making process through hands-on studio work, theoretical investigation, weekly written assignments, and a final research paper focusing on a particular material/technique.

Examine the major styles of art and architecture in Western civilization from prehistory to the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods.

Explore the major styles of art and architecture in Western civilization from the high Renaissance through the 19th century.

Study Western fine art movements from the late 19th century to the present, including Post-Impressionism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Art Nouveau, Cubism, Futurism, Dadaism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop Art, Performance Art, Graffiti, and Post-Modernism.

Gain insights into the art, architecture, and history of the ancient classical era, Greece and Rome, Mesopotamia and Egypt, through a study of historical context, literary, and philosophical texts of the era. (This course is cross-listed with LA 327.)

Research and write your final undergraduate art history thesis. You will independently craft a scholarly argument, explore the scholarship, and thoughtfully write a final thesis with the support of an advisor.

In-depth study of classical drawing principles on achieving heightened realism in imagery. Learn how to incorporate accurate geometrical construction and use the five-value system to analyze light and shadow on forms. Gaining skills in perspective, composition, and rendering of various textures and materials.

Learn to draw the human figure with accuracy. You'll draw from the nude model to develop an understanding of gesture, proportion, rhythm, balance, structure, and musculature.

Take a deep dive into color and design. Using traditional media, explore color harmony using different color schemes. Learn how psychology, simultaneous contrast, proportion, atmospheric depth, muting and toning, light temperature, design unity, and visual emphasis can enhance imagery.

Learn to sculpt the nude human figure. You'll explore human proportion, structure, geometry, balance, and anatomy to enhance your understanding of 3D form, volume, and space.

Explore the concepts of truth, beauty, artistic form, unity, expression, representation, and taste by reading philosophers and artists, including Plato, Aristotle, Kant, Nietzsche, Croce, Henri, Rodin, and Hughes.

Explore art outside of the Western tradition. Taking a cross-cultural approach, you'll learn to recognize what art communicates about Asian, African, Polynesian, and Pre-Columbian American cultures. NOTE: LA 326 meets the undergraduate Cultural Ideas & Influences requirement. Students may also seek director approval to apply this course towards the undergraduate Art Historical Awareness requirement.

Discover the art and architecture from the Early Christian and Byzantine Empires to the start of the Renaissance. You'll analyze the historical context and literary and philosophical texts of the era.