Art History 110

History of Western Art, Pre-History through the Middle Ages

California State University, Northridge



QuizMaker Practice Tests on the Dates of Art Objects


Catalogue Description

Painting, sculpture, and architecture from prehistoric times to the end of the Middle Ages. An historical approach to the better understanding of our Western artistic tradition through the study of various art forms from ancient civilizations through the medieval period. (3 units)

As part of the Undergraduate Program

This course may be used by non-art majors to fullfill Section C:2 (Humanities. Fine Arts) of the General Education program. It also may be used by art majors to satisfy the lower division core requirements for the bachelor of arts degree.


The Content:

(Please keep in mind that the following information about content and goals is only useful for the sections of 110 which I teach. Other faculty may have different texts, priorities, and interests, when teaching this same class.)

We spend approximately 4-5 weeks on the Bronze Age, covering Egypt through the Aegean, then 6 weeks on the Classical Period of Greece and Rome, and then about 4 weeks on the Middle Ages.

Topics

Goals

The students will learn three types of information about a core group of art examples from ancient Western cultures.

  1. The political, religious, social, economic, and geographical reasons for the production of the art and architectural examples.
  2. The elements of style which can be used to disuss the art.
  3. Specific terminology about the techniques and materials which were available to ancient peoples to create art.
*FAQ--Why do I have to learn all those dates?*

Requirements

The syllabus, which is available in class, gives the text, topics, exam dates, and grading information.


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