Foundations of Art History

This course offers an engaging introduction to the study of art history, guiding students through the story of human creativity and its profound cultural impact. From ancient wonders like the Palette of Narmer and the Parthenon to Renaissance masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s David and Van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait, students will explore the artistry that shaped civilizations. Moving through time, the course highlights Fragonard’s playful The Swing, Courbet’s provocative The Stone Breakers, and Monet’s revolutionary Impression, Sunrise, among many others. By developing visual literacy and critical analytic skills, students will uncover how art reflects and challenges societal values, while gaining confidence in writing and speaking about art. This course invites students to see art as both a cultural lens and a timeless story of human expression.

To successfully complete this course, students will need access to a laptop or desktop computer with a reliable internet connection and a working webcam and microphone. This course may also require purchase of texts or other course materials.

This Fixed-Paced course incorporates a blend of synchronous and asynchronous elements. Students and teacher meet live via zoom on a regular weekly schedule. In addition, students complete coursework including guided readings, interactive videos, text and video-based discussion threads, problem sets, individual and collaborative projects, and so on. While these activities are time-flexible, teachers sequence them with weekly deadlines to help students keep on track and encourage and support the development of productive time management skills.

During the course orientation period, CLI asks students to complete a survey on their availability for live class meetings. Teachers set individual class meeting times based on student responses.