Brad Hostetler

Survey of Art, Part I

ARHS 110

This course surveys Western art and architecture from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Middle Ages. Training in visual analysis is emphasized, as are the historical context, religious beliefs and social conditions in which the artwork was produced. This is primarily a lecture class, though discussion is encouraged. Requirements include examinations and short papers. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.

Survey of Art, Part II

ARHS 111

This course surveys Western art and architecture from the Renaissance to the present. Framing the study of art history within a social context, this course will provide students with the tools for understanding style and interpreting meaning in individual works of art. Although this is a lecture format, discussion is encouraged. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.

Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture

ARHS 115

This introductory course surveys the history of Islamic art and architecture between the 7th and 16th centuries. Students will explore the rich visual and artistic traditions that developed and thrived under the caliphates and dynasties that ruled medieval Spain, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They will also investigate thematic issues central to the discipline of Islamic art history, including the function of ornament, the development of calligraphy in visual culture, the adoption and abstention of figural representation, and the impact of Orientalism. A diverse array of artistic media and techniques are examined, including painting, sculpture, textiles, manuscripts and architecture. Students will also be introduced to art-historical research strategies, and methods for writing about art. This course counts toward the foundation-level requirement for the major. No prerequisite.

ST: Intro to Islamic Art

ARHS 191

Greek Art

ARHS 220

This course examines the art and architecture of Greece from Bronze Age Crete and Mycenaean palaces of the mainland to the historical age of Greece and the extended Greek cultures of southern Italy and the Hellenistic world. Special attention will be given to the development of Greek standards of beauty and the role of beauty in Greek culture. The format is lecture and discussion. This counts toward the intermediate course and ancient art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110, 111 or equivalent. Offered every other year.

Roman Art

ARHS 221

This course examines the art and architecture of Rome from its Etruscan and Latin origins through the decline of the Roman Empire. As Rome grew from a city to a world empire, Romans employed the arts in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from the domestic and funereal to the political and imperial, with art and architecture often used in the service of ritual or propaganda. The format is lecture and discussion. This counts toward the intermediate course and ancient art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110, 111 or equivalent. Offered every other year.

Early Medieval Art

ARHS 232

This course concerns the arts of medieval Europe from the fourth to the 10th centuries. The class will learn about the major forms of architecture, sculpture, painting and the decorative arts of the Middle Ages. Style and iconography will be considered within the cultural context of large societal movements, including monastic reform and pilgrimage. The secondary focus will be on information literacy and how to develop and write a research paper. The class format consists of lecture, discussion, debate and presentations. This counts toward the intermediate course and Medieval art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110 or equivalent.

ST: Heaven and Earth

ARHS 291

Topics in Ancient Art

ARHS 373

This seminar explores topics and issues relating to the history of ancient art and architecture. Assignments include seminar reports, class discussion and a research paper. This counts toward the advanced course requirement for the major. This course can be repeated up to tow times for credit, so long as they cover different topics. Prerequisite: ARHS 110 or equivalent or one 0.5 unit course in classics.

Senior Seminar

ARHS 480

Required of all senior majors and recommended for senior minors, this course will serve as a capstone to the study of art history. Students will study the foundations of the discipline, explore the variety of methodological approaches employed by art historians, and assess current theoretical issues in the field. Prerequisite: senior standing. Offered every fall semester.

Individual Study

ARHS 493

Normally, students may enroll in an individual study only if they have taken all the courses offered by the department in that particular area of the curriculum. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the instructor with the support of the department. Individual study is considered an advanced course and, as such, the work produced should be the equivalent of a seminar or high-level intermediate class. A grade point average of 3.0 minimum in art history courses is required. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the instructor with the consent of the department. The professor and the student should establish and agree on the extent and nature of the work required for the individual study. This may take several forms: several short papers, one long paper, one in-depth project (small exhibition or assisting in doing research for an exhibition), a large (and lengthy) generalized outline and annotated bibliography, public presentations and so on. The student and the professor should meet on a regular basis. The frequency is to be determined by the professor in consultation with the student. Students must seek the permission of the instructor before enrolling. Individual study is undertaken at the discretion of the instructor and must be approved by the department. Individual study can be used toward credit for the major and the minor in Art History. Because students must enroll for individual studies by the end of the seventh class day of each semester, they should begin discussion of the proposed individual study preferably the semester before, so that there is time to devise the proposal and seek departmental approval before the registrar’s deadline.