ART 204 Introduction to Art History: 40,000 BCE to 726 CE

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Explores visual art in the Western tradition: Prehistoric to Early Byzantine period (40,000 BCE to 726 CE).

Prerequisite: Placement into WR 121Z; or completion of WR 115 (or higher), with a grade of C or better; or consent of instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Identify selected works by artist, title, and period.
Describe selected works in terms of subject, form, content, purpose, medium, or technique, period, movement, or style.
Point out examples of both innovation and adaptation in art traditions.
Compare and contrast selected artists, works, periods, movements, or styles.
Analyze works as visual communications that reflect and construct social systems.
Develop an art-historical question into a coherent essay with appropriate written source material, thesis, argument, conclusions, and correct citations.

Additional Statewide General Education Outcomes

Interpret and engage in the Arts and Letters, making use of the creative process to enrich the quality of life.
Critically analyze values and ethics within a range of human experience and expression to engage more fully in local and global issues.

Content Outline

Influences of Geography and Climate
Influences of Complex Social Structures and Spiritual Beliefs
Invention and Adaptation of a Repertoire of Building Techniques
Invention and Adaptation of a Repertoire of Subjects, Motifs, and Ornament
Importance of Style, Both as a Reflection of Use, and as an Indicator of Cultural Affiliations and Period
Borrowing and Adapting as a Standard Method of Art Production
Art and Architecture Specific Terminology
Periods of Time
- Prehistoric
- Ancient Near Eastern
- Ancient Egyptian
- Bronze Age Aegean
- Greek
- Roman
- Early Christian
- Early Byzantine