VAFA191 Art History Before 1450
Department of Arts and Communication: Art History
- I. Course Number and Title
- VAFA191 Art History Before 1450
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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Museum trip is mandatory.
This course meets the General Education requirement for Arts/Humanities.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This survey course covers painting, sculpture, and/or architecture from the Paleolithic period through the age of Gothic cathedrals. Students gain a formal understanding of ancient, classical, and medieval art. They interpret selected examples of Western art using a variety of analytic methodologies, including cultural, religious, social, political, and/or economic context.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- identify the major art historical periods and styles of the Western world prior to 1450 A.D.;
- describe the forms of Western art from prehistory to approximately 1450 A.D., using appropriate art historical vocabulary (i.e., perform a formal analysis);
- analyze the subject matter of a work of art;
- interpret the possible meaning of a work of art within an appropriate and arguable context (e.g., historical, religious, political, economic, social, racial, gender roles, etc.) [Arts/Humanities] and
- apply research skills in using library resources and/or scholarly Internet sites.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
Students study in class and through museum visits an introductory level Prehistoric, Egyptian, Ancient Near Eastern, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque, and Gothic art. They learn basic terminology used in the study of visual art forms and apply this vocabulary to the art of these ancient cultures. Students examine art as a reflection of its cultural origin and explore how art can be interpreted in the content of history, religion, politics, economics, social hierarchies, race relations, gender roles, etc. As appropriate, they examine how the art produced by these ancient cultures has had an influence on American culture. -
Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
- required exams that include essay questions
- required museum paper with proper use and citation of research materials
- optional quizzes
- optional writing assignments
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Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
Slides, video, digital technology, and supplementary readings are selected by instructor. Departmentally-selected textbook. See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 3/07; Core Goals/Objectives added 5/04; Revised 6/09; Revised 1/2010; Pre-req added 12/2014; New Core 8/2015; Revised 3/2024