Department of History of Art
Why study the history of art?
Our department and affiliated faculty offer a wide range of courses covering diverse forms of art and visual culture from prehistory to the present in Europe, the Americas, and East Asia, both within national traditions and in global contexts.
Award-winning professors and graduate teaching assistants provide instruction in courses ranging from introductory surveys to graduate seminars, emphasizing critical thinking and active learning.
The study of the visual arts in their historical contexts enriches our understanding of human creativity and the human condition. Such study fosters visual and cultural literacy and critical thinking, research, and communication skills valuable for a variety of careers.
Classes take full advantage of the rich collection of over 45,000 objects in the Spencer Museum of Art, one of the country’s top-rated university art museums.
Undergraduate Programs
The curriculum introduces students to diverse forms of art and visual culture from prehistory to the present in Europe, the Americas, East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, both within national traditions and transnationally. Students develop depth and breadth of knowledge as they probe the ways in which art and visual culture at once reflect and shape the societies that produce them. The study of art history fosters visual and cultural literacy and critical thinking, research, problem solving, and communication skills that are valuable for a variety of careers.
Several introductory courses are offered every semester. These include 1- and 2-semester surveys in Western art (HA 100, HA 300, HA 150, and HA 151), HA 166 The Visual Arts of East Asia, HA 367 Art and Culture of Japan, HA 368 Art and Culture of China, and HA 330 Italian Renaissance Art.
Courses for Nonmajors
All courses are open to nonmajors if they have the necessary prerequisite, which in most cases is one of the introductory courses. An undergraduate advisor counsels nonmajors who need help selecting a course.
Graduate Programs
The Kress Foundation Department of Art History offers a wide range of graduate art history courses, exploring visual and material cultures of Europe, the Americas, and East Asia while engaging in discussion of methodological and theoretical models.
The M.A. provides students with a broad and deep knowledge of the visual arts, as well as study of the basic concepts, theories, and methods of the discipline. The M.A. may be pursued as a terminal degree or as preparation for subsequent doctoral studies.
The Combined M.A./Ph.D. is a streamlined degree track intended for students who want to pursue the Ph.D. in art history at KU, but who do not yet hold the M.A. degree in art history.
The Ph.D. is intended for students who hold the M.A. degree in art history.
Students who are interested in enrolling in graduate-level coursework in the Art History Department without formal admission to a graduate program at KU are encouraged to apply for non-degree seeking student status. See the department's admission webpage for further details.
Courses
A chronological survey of Western art and architecture, including the ancient Near East, Europe from antiquity to the present, and North America from the colonial period to the present. The course emphasizes major historical and cultural developments, analyzes key art works and monuments, and introduces basic art historical principles and analytical methods. The course is offered at the 100 and 300 levels, with additional reading and writing assigned at the 300 level. Intended for non-majors. Does not count toward the 30 required hours in the major. Not open to students with credit in HA 150, HA 151, HA 160, HA 161, or HA 300.
HA 105. Special Study: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in art history at the introductory level, including courses taken in the study abroad program. May deal with individual artists, special themes, or other topics not generally covered in courses offered by the department. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
A survey of the art of earlier periods in the West, from prehistoric times through the middle ages in Europe, with special emphasis on the relationship between artistic developments and cultural changes. Not open to students with credit in HA 160.
A survey of art in the West from the Renaissance to the contemporary period in Europe and America, with special emphasis on the achievements of individual artists in relation to the cultural movements of their times. Not open to students with credit in HA 161.
A survey of the art of earlier periods in the West, from prehistoric times through the middle ages in Europe, with special emphasis on the relationship between artistic developments and cultural changes. Not open to students with credit in HA 150. Prerequisite: Membership in the University Honors Program or consent of instructor.
A survey of the art in West from the Renaissance to the contemporary period in Europe and America, with special emphasis on the achievements of individual artists in relation to the cultural movements of their times. Not open to students with credit in HA 151. Prerequisite: Membership in the University Honors Program or consent of instructor.
This course examines major forms of artistic expression in China, Korea, and Japan. Discussions introduce basic art concepts, the themes and purposes of art, and different art styles in East Asia from ancient times to the present. Students develop critical skills through analyzing, writing about, and talking about art and East Asian cultures. Students also learn about important museums in North America and Asia. No prior knowledge of art history or East Asia expected.
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Art History. Course is designed to meet the US Culture of the KU Core 34. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Undergraduate Education Office within Academic Affairs.
A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in History of Art. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of Academic Programs and Experiential Learning. Prerequisite: Open to Freshmen only (less than 30 hours).
This course considers the efforts of artists to explore and represent their place in the modern world. The political, industrial, and scientific revolutions of the late 18th and 19th centuries in the West overturned the certainties of traditional authority and liberated artists to raise new questions. Innovations ranged from Impressionism's light-filled landscapes to Surrealism's dream imagery, Abstract Expressionism's paint-spattered canvases, and Pop Art's celebration of consumer culture. This course addresses these and other modern art movements, emphasizing developments in Europe and the United States through the late 20th century and concluding with international contemporary art in an age of globalization. Intended for non-majors.
A chronological survey of Western art and architecture, including the ancient Near East, Europe from antiquity to the present, and North America from the colonial period to the present. The course emphasizes major historical and cultural developments, analyzes key art works and monuments, and introduces basic art historical principles and analytical methods. The course is offered at the 100 and 300 levels, with additional reading and writing assigned at the 300 level. Intended for non-majors. Does not count toward the 30 required hours in the major. Not open to students with credit in HA 100, HA 150, HA 151, HA 160, or HA 161.
HA 305. Special Study: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in art history, including courses taken in the study abroad program. May deal with individual artists, special themes, or other topics not generally covered in courses offered by the department. May be repeated for credit if content varies.
Taught in the British Summer Institute in the Humanities Study Abroad program, this course offers an introductory survey of British art and architecture. Through classroom lectures, readings, and visits to museums, churches, and other historic sites, selected works of art and architecture are analyzed in terms of their formal qualities, iconography, and cultural context. Prerequisite: Approval for enrollment in the British Summer Institute in the Humanities Study Abroad program through the KU Office of Study Abroad.
HA 322. European Architecture 300-1300. 3 Credits.
This course surveys the architecture of Western Europe from the 4th through the 14th centuries, concentrating on 750-1300. The medieval millennium was an era of constant conflict: military, diplomatic, intellectual, ideological, theological, and stylistic. Within a chronological framework, this course will examine selected works of architecture and urban design, paying special attention to the tension between architectural innovation and traditional practices. Its mission is to explore why and how these buildings and sites were produced, to understand how they communicate their patrons and makers' ideas, and to discover their audiences' responses to them. Students will consider the reinterpretation and transformation of the classical orders, the adaptation and transformation of several ancient building types, the establishment and development of architecture to serve newly emerging nation-states and religions, the evolution of vaulting, the changing conception of the wall, and the representational qualities of medieval architecture. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 150, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 325. Aegean Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the major cultures of the prehistoric Aegean (Greek) world from the Neolithic period to the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1100 B.C.E.), with special emphasis on the cultural and artistic achievements of the Mycenaeans, Minoans, and Cycladic islanders, including their contacts with the neighboring cultures of Anatolia (Hittites and Troy), the Levant, Egypt, and South Italy. Includes lecture with slides and discussion. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 525 or HA 525. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 325.)
HA 326. Greek Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the material culture of the ancient Greek world from the Protogeometric period to the end of the Hellenistic age (ca. 1100 - 30 B.C.E.), with emphasis on the major sites, monuments, and changing forms of social and artistic expression (e.g., architecture, sculpture, vase painting). Includes lectures with slides and discussion; use of the Wilcox Museum of Classical Antiquities. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 526 or HA 526. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 326.)
HA 327. Roman Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the material culture of ancient Rome from its origins to the late empire (8th c.B.C.E. - 4th c.C.E.). Emphasis on major sites, monuments, and changing forms of social and artistic expression, as well as on Etruscan and Greek influence on Rome and Rome's influence on its provinces. Includes lectures with slides and discussion; use of the Wilcox Museum of Classical Antiquities. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 527 or HA 537. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 327.)
HA 328. Archaeology and Art of Ancient Egypt and the Near East. 3 Credits.
A cross-cultural survey of the material remains of the major civilizations of ancient Egypt and the Near East, including Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant, from the Neolithic period to the rise of the Roman empire (ca. 6000 B.C.E. - 30 B.C.E.). Topics covered can include some of the most famous landmarks of archaeology, such as the pyramids of Giza, the tomb of Tutankhamun, the prehistoric city of Çatalhöyük, the gates of ancient Babylon, and sites of ancient Israel. Lectures and discussions will survey the major sites and material remains and cover archaeological approaches, methods, problems, and practices. Suitable for undergraduates with backgrounds in Classics, Art History, History, or Anthropology. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 529 or HA 529. No knowledge of ancient languages is required. (Same as CLSX 328.)
A survey of the art and architecture of Italy from c. 1300 to 1550. Special emphasis is placed on regional styles and the private, political, and devotional contexts in which works of art and architecture functioned. Some of the artists whose works are considered are Giotto, Duccio, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo.
HA 331. Art of the Early Modern Spanish World. 3 Credits.
From the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries, Spanish monarchs controlled a thriving global empire. This course investigates artistic exchange and new visual forms resulting from the political structures, Catholic missions, and economic investments that supported Spanish global dominance. The forcible removal of Muslims and Jews in medieval Iberia, the colonial exploitation of silver mines at Potosí in modern-day Bolivia, and the royal sponsorship of a shipping route connecting Asia and Europe by way of Central America are just some of the ways that Spanish monarchs shaped the development of art and culture on a global scale. We will study the art, architecture, and visual culture of the Spanish world in three modules: one dedicated to Europe; one to Latin America and the Caribbean; and one to Asia, with a focus on the Philippines. Lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments will endeavor to balance the perspectives of those in power with those of Protestant, enslaved, Black, Indigenous, and local communities who lived under, and often contested, Spanish rule. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 531/LAC 551. (Same as LAC 351.)
HA 333. Rococo to Realism: Painting in Europe c. 1750-1848. 3 Credits.
This course considers European painting c. 1750 to 1848 within the context of dramatic political and industrial revolutions. Exploring the power of the visual to engage with broader circumstances and to effect change, we will examine the ways in which shifting constructions of gender, empire, colonialism, race, slavery, and class were addressed by such artists as Watteau, David, Vigée-Lebrun, Delacroix, Géricault, Goya, Turner, Constable, Ingres, Daumier, Bonheur, and Courbet. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 533/WGSS 533. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 334. Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: 1848-1900. 3 Credits.
This course considers French painting 1848 to 1900, a period marked by unprecedented technological advancements, the restructuring of Paris, and the rise of consumer culture. As large sections of the city were leveled to make way for broad boulevards, cafés, and department stores, some artists strove to represent the ever-changing spectacle of urban life; others found their inspiration away from the city. Focusing on Manet, Degas, Caillebotte, Morisot, Cassatt, Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Cézanne, we will explore how artists engaged with shifting constructions of modernity, gender, fashion, public and private, empire, race, class, and consumer and leisure cultures. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 534/WGSS 534. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 335. Renaissance Architecture in Italy. 3 Credits.
This course examines the history of Italian Renaissance architecture from its origins in the 15th century to its transformation in the 16th, featuring (but not limited to) the work of three of its most celebrated exponents: Filippo Brunelleschi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Andrea Palladio. Students will explore how and why 15th and 16th-century architects and patrons appropriated and interpreted both ancient and medieval forms to create the architectural culture of the Renaissance. We will investigate the revival and transformation of the classical architectural language, the emerging notion of architectural authorship, the ability of architectural forms and materials to convey particular meanings to particular audiences, the deployment of architecture as an instrument of power, and the birth of architectural history and theory. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 535. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 150, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 337. Contemporary Art. 3 Credits.
This course surveys the dynamic developments in art practice worldwide since the 1980s, highlighting innovations in such mediums as painting, photography, sculpture, installation, performance, video, and social practice. The course explores contemporary artists' engagement with such themes as the body, identity, politics, spirituality, ecology, technology, time, globalization, and social justice. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 567. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 339. African American Art History. 3 Credits.
This course critically examines the production of Black artists in the United States from the seventeenth century to the present. We will consider the work of makers and artists such as David Drake, Edmonia Lewis, William Edmondson, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Betye Saar, Kerry James Marshall, and Amy Sherald; and study a broad range of artistic productions including sculpture, painting, photography, quilts, and ceramics. Much of the course will be devoted to understanding the social, political, and cultural contexts that have shaped Black artistic production, along with the ways that artists, scholars, and curators have worked to define African American art in relation to Euro-American art history. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 539/AAAS 539. (Same as AAAS 339 and AMS 339.)
HA 340. Special Study in Asian Art Before 1900: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Asian art before 1900, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 342. Special Study in 18th/19th-Century European or American Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in European or American art of the 18th and/or 19th centuries, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 343. Special Study in 20th/21st-Century Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in art of the 20th and/or 21st centuries, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 344. Manga: Histories and Theories. 3 Credits.
Manga (Japanese comics) have long been an extremely popular and influential medium in Japan and internationally. Manga offer engaging narratives and visual imagery revealing central concerns not only of Japanese culture, history, society and politics, but also of the global cultural industry. The medium has been studied through various disciplinary lenses ranging from art history to visual culture and media studies, literature, sociology, and anthropology. Through the examination of several manga artists and works from the late 19th century to the present as well as reading a broad range of scholarship, this course explores the major issues addressed and theoretical approaches used in the interdisciplinary study of manga. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 544. (Same as EALC 344.)
HA 347. Ceramics of East Asia. 3 Credits.
This course explores the history of East Asian ceramics from the 10th to the late 20th century. Using critical approaches from art history, anthropology, sociology, literature, and materials science, students discuss the historiography and connoisseurship as well as the production, design, and consumption of ceramics such as Yaozhou celadon, Temmoku and Raku tea bowls, stamped and slip-brushed Punch'ong ware, and Ming blue-and-white porcelain. This is a hybrid course, which means that most of the material and assignments of the course are online. However, students are required to participate in 6-7 field trips, including trips to the Spencer Museum of Art, the kilns located on campus, and a demonstration of the Japanese tea ceremony. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 547.
HA 353. Modern and Contemporary African Art. 3 Credits.
In this course, we examine the development of artistic modernisms in Africa in historical context. We also study the content, production, patronage, and display of modern and contemporary African art. In doing so, we consider African artists' engagement with modernity, globalization, and contemporary issues, as well as interrogate influential myths and assumptions regarding African artists and the work they produce. Course themes include the workshop as a critical site, independence movements and the creation of national art forms, art as global commodity, and art in resistance, remembrance, and revolution. (Same as AAAS 353.)
HA 354. Japanese Prints. 3 Credits.
This course explores the history of Japanese prints with special emphasis on ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) woodblock prints made during the Edo Period (early 17th to 19th century). The course is organized thematically as well as chronologically and examines woodblock prints by focusing on both design and socio-political history. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. (Same as EALC 354.)
HA 360. African Art and Gender. 3 Credits.
How does the rich relationship between art and gender provide an organizing metaphor for African artists across space and time? How do artists shape understandings of gender? In this course, we will examine gender in artistic practice alongside cultural binaries and consider how gender historically operated to define distinct roles for artists. We will study how formulations of gender and race intersected to impact artistic production and classification during the colonial and postcolonial periods. We will analyze materiality and the metaphor of childbirth, gender and Islamic textiles, and the concept of "craft." This course is offered at the 300 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in AAAS 780/HA 780. (Same as AAAS 380 and WGSS 380.)
HA 361. Buddhist Art of Korea. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the history of Buddhist temple buildings, paintings, sculptures and illuminated hand-scrolls in Korea from the 4th through the 19th centuries, with special emphasis on their stylistic, geographical, social, devotional and literary contexts. Current theories and controversies pertinent to the history and study of Korean Buddhist art are also addressed. Not open to students who have taken HA 561 or REL 511. Work requirements will be greater for students enrolled at the 500 level than at the 300 level. (Same as EALC 360.) Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history, or consent of instructor.
HA 362. Ceramics of Korea. 3 Credits.
A survey covering the history of Korean ceramics from prehistoric times through the early modern period, with special emphasis on their stylistic, geographical, social and political context. Topics include celadon-glazed, stamped and slip-decorated stoneware, Korean ceramics related to the Japanese tea ceremony and Mingei pottery. Not open to students who have taken HA 562. Work requirements will be greater for students enrolled at the 500 level than at the 300 level. (Same as EALC 372.) Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history, or consent of instructor.
This course is a thematic introduction to Korean art and culture with an emphasis on modern and contemporary Korea. Pre-modern works are contextualized with respect to contemporary issues. Students learn how to conduct a comprehensive analysis of an artwork by considering the political, historical and social conditions of its time within a broader East Asian cultural framework. (Same as EALC 373 and HIST 463.) Prerequisite: An introductory course in art history at the college level, or consent of instructor.
HA 365. K-Pop and the Arts. 3 Credits.
K-pop, or Korean popular music, has garnered widespread acclaim across the globe. It typically features catchy melodies, synchronized dance routines, and visually stunning music videos. This course provides a critical understanding of K-pop within its broader global context. Students will examine the visual and sonic elements of music videos, dance choreography, fashion, and commercials produced by famous K-pop bands such as BTS and BLACKPINK. The course will also explore how K-pop songs reflect notions of Korean nationalism and address intricate issues surrounding race, gender, and identity. This course emphasizes close analysis of K-pop products, with the ultimate goal of enhancing students' media literacy and enabling them to become more engaged and discerning media consumers. No knowledge of Korean required. (Same as EALC 365.)
The history of Japanese art interpreted from visual, historical, social, religious, and political perspectives. Representative topics: archaeological discoveries, Buddhist images and architecture, gender relationships expressed through art, interactions with different countries, and the roots of modernism in Japanese art. Art history goals: direct engagement with museum collections and enhanced ability to analyze, write about, and talk about art. (Same as EALC 367.)
The history of Chinese art interpreted from visual, historical, social, religious, and political perspectives. Representative topics: archaeological discoveries, Buddhist images and architecture, gender relationships expressed through art, interactions between different ethnic groups, and the roots of modernism in Chinese art. Art history goals: direct engagement with museum collections and enhanced ability to analyze, write about, and talk about art. (Same as EALC 378.)
HA 369. Art and Culture of Korea. 3 Credits.
The history of Korean art interpreted from visual, historical, social, religious, and political perspectives. Representative topics: archaeological discoveries, Buddhist images and architecture, gender relationships expressed through art, interactions with different countries, and the roots of modernism in Korean art. Art history goals: direct engagement with museum collections and enhanced ability to analyze, write about, and talk about art. (Same as EALC 369.)
HA 370. Art of the United States. 3 Credits.
This course examines the history of art in the United States from the late-colonial period of the 1700s through to the mid-twentieth century. With a focus on the central role that artistic production and consumption played in constructing American social identities and culture, this course pays particular attention to the contributions of minority and marginalized groups as active agents in the development of a national culture. Other topics include transnational perspectives on American art, the influence of European traditions, ideas of modernity and the modern artist in American culture, and relationships between art and material culture in American life. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 570. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 371. Modern Sculpture. 3 Credits.
Since the 1870s, modern sculptors have dramatically transformed their medium, pioneering new forms of figuration and abstraction, investigating new materials and processes, and developing installation and site-specific art. With a focus on Europe and the U.S. through the 1980s, expanding to global trends of recent decades, this course examines how this happened, considering the work of major artists from Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, and Brancusi to Donald Judd, Eva Hesse, Anish Kapoor, Jeff Koons, and David Hammons. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 372. Baroque Art in Europe. 3 Credits.
This course surveys significant 17th-century paintings, sculpture and architecture that were produced in Italy, Spain, France and the Southern and Northern Netherlands. Artists whose works are discussed include Caravaggio, Bernini, Velazquez, Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer. Artistic elements of individual works, major changes in patronage, and the religious, political, economic and cultural contexts in which the art was produced are examined. Assigned readings present a range of methodological perspectives.
HA 373. Art and the Sea. 3 Credits.
This class takes visual and material culture of the ocean as a jumping off point for considering how representations of the sea articulate questions and concerns that are political, cultural, and environmental. Examining works ranging from maps, Indigenous art, paintings, literature, and film, students will consider the formal challenges of representation, and the practical challenges of navigation, that arise from human engagement with maritime space. Emphasis will be placed on the sea as a site of cultural and existential encounter. Concepts and approaches considered will include ecocriticism, the Black Atlantic, post-colonial theory, and performance studies. From the political importance of the sea to early modern empires, to the vital urgency of understanding and altering the human impact on the health of the oceans, we will explore how representing the sea is connected with understanding its power and its fragility. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 573/AAAS 573. (Same as AAAS 373.)
HA 376. Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer: Northern Baroque. 3 Credits.
This course surveys significant 17th-century paintings, prints and drawings produced in the Northern and Southern Netherlands (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). Artists whose works will be discussed include Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and other painters of scenes of daily life, landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and still-lifes. Artistic elements of individual works and their relationship to major changes in patronage and religious, political, economic and cultural contexts will be examined. Assigned readings will present a range of methodological perspectives. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 576. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 380. History of Photography. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the history of photography. We will consider strategies used over its history to make photography an art, a witness to truth, a record of fact, a purveyor of falsehoods, a mass medium, a hawker of goods and ideologies, an agent of political change, a means of remembrance, and more. Not open to students with credit in HA 580. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 385. The Art of Buddhism. 3 Credits.
A survey of Buddhist visual arts (architecture, sculpture, and painting) of India, China, Japan, and Korea. Through an examination of the history of Buddhist art interpreted from visual, historical, social, and political perspectives, the course enables students to analyze a wide range of Buddhist art forms within their regional contexts. Students will also consider how Buddhist-related material functions within museums and engage with local collections. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 585. (Same as EALC 385.)
HA 386. Japanese Painting. 3 Credits.
A survey covering the development of Japanese painting from the seventh century to the early twentieth century. Topics include Buddhist and other religious paintings, narrative handscrolls, ink painting, decorative folding screens, ukiyo-e prints, and western-style paintings from the late eighteenth through early twentieth centuries. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 586. (Same as EALC 386.) Prerequisite: An introductory course in Asian art or consent of instructor.
HA 387. Japanese Sculpture. 3 Credits.
This course will examine three-dimensional arts from Japan from a range of different historical periods and perspectives. We will begin with prehistoric terracotta tomb figures and end with modern Western-style sculpture of the twentieth century. The course will address Buddhist sculpture in depth and also include a unit on traditional Japanese ceramics. During class sessions, students will develop a basic knowledge of the historical background, terminology, and visual vocabulary of Japanese sculpture. Students will learn to identify major artists, styles, schools, periods, and develop the critical skills needed to discuss three-dimensional visual culture of Japan. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 587. (Same as EALC 387.)
HA 388. Modern and Contemporary Visual Arts of Japan. 3 Credits.
This course covers Japanese visual arts from the Meiji era (1868-1912) through the present day. The course is designed thematically as well as chronologically, and examines painting, sculpture and architecture focusing on both socio-political contexts and artistic concerns that emerged at certain times in recent Japanese history. The aim of this course is to provide first-hand knowledge of Japanese modern and contemporary visual arts as well as an in-depth consideration of some of the key issues attached to Japan's modernization and modernity. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 588. (Same as EALC 388.)
HA 390. Special Study in African Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in African art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 391. Special Study in Asian Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Asian art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 392. Special Study in Ancient Art: ______. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in ancient art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 393. Special Study in Medieval Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in medieval art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 394. Special Study in Renaissance Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Renaissance art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 395. Special Study in Baroque Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Baroque art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 396. Special Study in American Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in American art. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels.
HA 468. Art and Culture of China, Honors. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the arts of China using fundamental principles and analytical methods of art history. Emphasis is placed on cultural contexts of art production, including history and religion. Honors version of HA 368, with more classroom discussion and opportunities for original research. Prerequisite: Membership in the University Honors Program or permission of the instructor. Not open to freshmen or students with credit in HA 268 or HA 368.
HA 505. Special Study: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in art history on a trial basis, open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Prerequisite: An introductory-level course in art history, appropriate to the specific special study topic; or consent of instructor.
HA 506. Early Medieval and Romanesque Art. 3 Credits.
This course examines the art of Europe from the Early Christian era through the Romanesque period, up to 1200. Architecture, sculpture, manuscript illumination, metalwork and painting are explored in relation to their political, religious and social contexts. Graduate students can expect to complete additional reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: HA 100 or HA 150, or permission of the instructor.
HA 507. Gothic Art. 3 Credits.
This course examines the art of Europe during the Gothic period, from 1140-1500. Architecture, sculpture, manuscript illumination, metalwork, painting and furniture are explored in relation to their political, religious and social contexts. Graduate students can expect to complete additional reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: HA 100 or HA 150, or permission of instructor.
HA 510. Medieval Manuscripts and Early Printed Books. 3 Credits.
Students study the history of the book from 300 to 1500 A.D., concentrating on the role of visual imagery in books and the place of books in medieval and renaissance culture. In addition to discussing the relation between text and image, and studying the stylistic contexts for ancient, medieval, and Renaissance illumination and early woodcut illustration, participants in this course consider such additional topics as methods of book production, the development of cycles of illustration for religious and secular books, and the relationship between manuscripts and early printed books. Lectures and discussion are supplemented by visits to the fine collection of manuscripts, printed books, and facsimiles in the Kenneth Spencer Research Library. Prerequisite: An introductory course in Western art history at the college level, or consent of the instructor.
HA 517. Directed Readings. 1-6 Credits.
Supervised study and research into specialized areas of art history.
HA 525. Aegean Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the major cultures of the prehistoric Aegean (Greek) world from the Neolithic period to the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 3000-1100 B.C.E.), with special emphasis on the cultural and artistic achievements of the Mycenaeans, Minoans, and Cycladic islanders, including their contacts with the neighboring cultures of Anatolia (Hittites and Troy), the Levant, Egypt, and South Italy. Includes lecture with slides and discussion. For advanced undergraduates with backgrounds in the humanities and for graduate students (especially in Classics and History of Art). This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 325 or HA 325. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 525.)
HA 526. Greek Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the material culture of the ancient Greek world from the Protogeometric period to the end of the Hellenistic age (ca. 1100 - 30 B.C.E.), with emphasis on the major sites, monuments, and changing forms of social and artistic expression (e.g., architecture, sculpture, vase painting). Includes lectures with slides and discussion; use of the Wilcox Museum of Classical Antiquities. For advanced undergraduates with backgrounds in the humanities and for graduate students (especially in Classics and History of Art). This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 326 or HA 326. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 526.)
HA 528. The Spatial Arts of Urban Italy. 3 Credits.
This course examines the central role played by the arts of urbanism, architecture, and monumental sculpture in shaping the distinctive civic cultures of Italy at the threshold of the Renaissance, 1200-1550. It will pay particular attention to the republics of Florence and Venice, but also consider papal Rome and Pienza, and a changing selection of Italy's magnificent court cities (including Milan, Padua, Parma, and Verona). Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 150, or the equivalent, and an upper-level (300-level or above) course in art history or Western European culture, or consent of instructor.
HA 529. Archaeology and Art of Ancient Egypt and the Near East. 3 Credits.
A cross-cultural survey of the material remains of the major civilizations of ancient Egypt and the Near East, including Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and the Levant, from the Neolithic period to the rise of the Roman empire (ca. 6000 B.C.E. - 30 B.C.E.). Topics covered can include some of the most famous landmarks of archaeology, such as the pyramids of Giza, the tomb of Tutankhamun, the prehistoric city of Çatalhöyük, the gates of ancient Babylon, and sites of ancient Israel. Lectures and discussions will survey the major sites and material remains and cover archaeological approaches, methods, problems, and practices. Suitable for advanced undergraduates with backgrounds in Classics, Art History, History, or Anthropology, and for graduate students. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 328 or HA 328. No knowledge of ancient languages is required. (Same as CLSX 529.) Prerequisite: Junior/Senior standing.
HA 531. Art of the Early Modern Spanish World. 3 Credits.
From the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries, Spanish monarchs controlled a thriving global empire. This course investigates artistic exchange and new visual forms resulting from the political structures, Catholic missions, and economic investments that supported Spanish global dominance. The forcible removal of Muslims and Jews in medieval Iberia, the colonial exploitation of silver mines at Potosí in modern-day Bolivia, and the royal sponsorship of a shipping route connecting Asia and Europe by way of Central America are just some of the ways that Spanish monarchs shaped the development of art and culture on a global scale. We will study the art, architecture, and visual culture of the Spanish world in three modules: one dedicated to Europe; one to Latin America and the Caribbean; and one to Asia, with a focus on the Philippines. Lectures, readings, discussions, and assignments will endeavor to balance the perspectives of those in power with those of Protestant, enslaved, Black, Indigenous, and local communities who lived under, and often contested, Spanish rule. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 331/LAC 351. (Same as LAC 551.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 533. Rococo to Realism: Painting in Europe c. 1750-1848. 3 Credits.
This course considers European painting c. 1750 to 1848 within the context of dramatic political and industrial revolutions. Exploring the power of the visual to engage with broader circumstances and to effect change, we will examine the ways in which shifting constructions of gender, empire, colonialism, race, slavery, and class were addressed by such artists as Watteau, David, Vigée-Lebrun, Delacroix, Géricault, Goya, Turner, Constable, Ingres, Daumier, Bonheur, and Courbet. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 333. (Same as WGSS 533.) Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 534. Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: 1848-1900. 3 Credits.
This course considers French painting 1848 to 1900, a period marked by unprecedented technological advancements, the restructuring of Paris, and the rise of consumer culture. As large sections of the city were leveled to make way for broad boulevards, cafés, and department stores, some artists strove to represent the ever-changing spectacle of urban life; others found their inspiration away from the city. Focusing on Manet, Degas, Caillebotte, Morisot, Cassatt, Monet, Renoir, Seurat, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and Cézanne, we will explore how artists engaged with shifting constructions of modernity, gender, fashion, public and private, empire, race, class, and consumer and leisure cultures. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 334. (Same as WGSS 534.) Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 535. Renaissance Architecture in Italy. 3 Credits.
This course examines the history of Italian Renaissance architecture from its origins in the 15th century to its transformation in the 16th, featuring (but not limited to) the work of three of its most celebrated exponents: Filippo Brunelleschi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Andrea Palladio. Students will explore how and why 15th and 16th-century architects and patrons appropriated and interpreted both ancient and medieval forms to create the architectural culture of the Renaissance. We will investigate the revival and transformation of the classical architectural language, the emerging notion of architectural authorship, the ability of architectural forms and materials to convey particular meanings to particular audiences, the deployment of architecture as an instrument of power, and the birth of architectural history and theory. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 335. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 150, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 536. Islamic Art and Architecture in Africa. 3 Credits.
Study of Islamic art and architecture in various cultural and geographical settings, from the first mosques of North African and the Swahili coast to contemporary Islamized masquerades in West Africa. We consider art objects and architectural sites in terms of religious practice, trade and commerce, ritual and political power, and contemporary expression. (Same as AAAS 536.) Prerequisite: AAAS 102, AAAS 103, HA 100, or HA 150; or permission of instructor.
HA 537. Roman Archaeology and Art. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary survey of the material culture of ancient Rome from its origins to the late empire (8th c.B.C.E. - 4th c.C.E.). Emphasis on major sites, monuments, and changing forms of social and artistic expression, as well as on Etruscan and Greek influence on Rome and Rome's influence on its provinces. Includes lectures with slides and discussion; use of the Wilcox Museum of Classical Antiquities. For advanced undergraduates with backgrounds in the humanities; and for graduate students (especially in Classics and History of Art). This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in CLSX 327 or HA 327. No knowledge of Greek or Latin is required. (Same as CLSX 527.)
HA 538. Pompeii and Herculaneum. 3 Credits.
An interdisciplinary treatment of the art and archaeology of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy. Emphasis on the structures and decorations of major public spaces and houses and on aspects of cultural, social, political, commercial and religious life from the period of the second century B.C.E. to 79 C.E., when Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Slide lectures and discussion. (Same as CLSX 538, HUM 538.) Prerequisite: Graduate status, or 6 credit hours in Classics, Greek, Latin, History of Art, or permission of the instructor.
HA 539. African American Art History. 3 Credits.
This course critically examines the production of Black artists in the United States from the seventeenth century to the present. We will consider the work of makers and artists such as David Drake, Edmonia Lewis, William Edmondson, Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Betye Saar, Kerry James Marshall, and Amy Sherald; and study a broad range of artistic productions including sculpture, painting, photography, quilts, and ceramics. Much of the course will be devoted to understanding the social, political, and cultural contexts that have shaped Black artistic production, along with the ways that artists, scholars, and curators have worked to define African American art in relation to Euro-American art history. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 339/AAAS 339/AMS 339. (Same as AAAS 539.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 540. Special Study in Asian Art Before 1900: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Asian art before 1900, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in Asian art history, or consent of the instructor
HA 543. Special Study in 20th/21st-Century Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in art of the 20th and/or 21st centuries, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history, or consent of the instructor.
HA 544. Manga: Histories and Theories. 3 Credits.
Manga (Japanese comics) have long been an extremely popular and influential medium in Japan and internationally. Manga offer engaging narratives and visual imagery revealing central concerns not only of Japanese culture, history, society and politics, but also of the global cultural industry. The medium has been studied through various disciplinary lenses ranging from art history to visual culture and media studies, literature, sociology, and anthropology. Through the examination of several manga artists and works from the late 19th century to the present as well as reading a broad range of scholarship, this course explores the major issues addressed and theoretical approaches used in the interdisciplinary study of manga. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 344. (Same as EALC 544.) Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history or Asian studies, or consent of instructor.
HA 545. Early Chinese Art. 3 Credits.
A survey of Chinese art from Neolithic times through the Han Dynasty (ca. 200 C.E.). Emphasis will be placed on recent archaeological excavations and also on the development of bronze vessels of the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history, or consent of instructor.
HA 546. Chinese Sculpture. 3 Credits.
A survey of Chinese sculpture from the Shang dynasty through the Song dynasty (1600 BCE-1279 CE), focused on sculptural programs in native funerary art and Buddhist temples and cave-shrines.
HA 547. Ceramics of East Asia. 3 Credits.
This course explores the history of East Asian ceramics from the 10th to the late 20th century. Using critical approaches from art history, anthropology, sociology, literature, and materials science, students discuss the historiography and connoisseurship as well as the production, design, and consumption of ceramics such as Yaozhou celadon, Temmoku and Raku tea bowls, stamped and slip-brushed Punch'ong ware, and Ming blue-and-white porcelain. This is a hybrid course, which means that most of the material and assignments of the course are online. However, students are required to participate in 6-7 field trips, including trips to the Spencer Museum of Art, the kilns located on campus, and a demonstration of the Japanese tea ceremony. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional assignments at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 347. Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history or Asian studies, or consent of instructor.
HA 549. Chinese Painting. 3 Credits.
An introductory survey of painting in China from the 7th through the 19th centuries. Prerequisite: One course in art history, or in East Asian languages & cultures; or consent of instructor.
An advanced course dedicated to the in-depth study of special topics in art history. Students conduct research on a question within the parameters of the course topic and produce a research product that integrates knowledge from within the discipline of art history or in combination with other disciplines to generate new ideas. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and twelve hours of art history, or consent of the instructor.
HA 554. Japanese Prints. 3 Credits.
This course explores the history of Japanese prints with special emphasis on ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) woodblock prints made during the Edo Period (early 17th to 19th century). The course is organized thematically as well as chronologically and examines woodblock prints by focusing on both design and socio-political history. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Prerequisite: An introductory course in art history or consent of instructor.
HA 561. Buddhist Art of Korea. 3 Credits.
Introduction to the history of Buddhist temple buildings, paintings, sculptures and illuminated hand-scrolls in Korea from the 4th through the 19th centuries, with special emphasis on their stylistic, geographical, social, devotional and literary contexts. Current theories and controversies pertinent to the history and study of Korean Buddhist art are also addressed. Not open to students who have taken HA 361. Work requirements will be greater for students enrolled at the 500 level than at the 300 level. (Same as REL 511.) Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history, or consent of instructor.
HA 562. Ceramics of Korea. 3 Credits.
A survey covering the history of Korean ceramics from prehistoric times through the early modern period, with special emphasis on their stylistic, geographical, social and political context. Topics include celadon-glazed, stamped and slip-decorated stoneware, Korean ceramics related to the Japanese tea ceremony and Mingei pottery. Not open to students who have taken HA 362. Work requirements will be greater for students enrolled at the 500 level than at the 300 level. Prerequisite: A college level introduction to Asian art history, or consent of instructor.
HA 564. European Art, 1900-1945. 3 Credits.
A detailed survey of modern European art from the turn of the century through World War II. Movements to be considered may include post-impressionism, cubism, constructivism, dada, and surrealism. Graduate students may be expected to do additional reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 566. Art From 1945 to the 1980s: Modernism to Post-Modernism. 3 Credits.
An international survey of modern and post-modern art from World War II to the 1980s. Topics may include abstract expressionism, pop art, minimalism, happenings and performance art, earth works, conceptual art, feminist art, photo-realism, the craft revival, and new media. Graduate students may be expected to complete additional reading and writing assignments. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151 or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 567. Contemporary Art. 3 Credits.
This course surveys the dynamic developments in art practice worldwide since the 1980s, highlighting innovations in such mediums as painting, photography, sculpture, installation, performance, video, and social practice. The course explores contemporary artists' engagement with such themes as the body, identity, politics, spirituality, ecology, technology, time, globalization, and social justice. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 337. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 570. Art of the United States. 3 Credits.
This course examines the history of art in the United States from the late-colonial period of the 1700s through to the mid-twentieth century. With a focus on the central role that artistic production and consumption played in constructing American social identities and culture, this course pays particular attention to the contributions of minority and marginalized groups as active agents in the development of a national culture. Other topics include transnational perspectives on American art, the influence of European traditions, ideas of modernity and the modern artist in American culture, and relationships between art and material culture in American life. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 level with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 370. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 573. Art and the Sea. 3 Credits.
This class takes visual and material culture of the ocean as a jumping off point for considering how representations of the sea articulate questions and concerns that are political, cultural, and environmental. Examining works ranging from maps, Indigenous art, paintings, literature, and film, students will consider the formal challenges of representation, and the practical challenges of navigation, that arise from human engagement with maritime space. Emphasis will be placed on the sea as a site of cultural and existential encounter. Concepts and approaches considered will include ecocriticism, the Black Atlantic, post-colonial theory, and performance studies. From the political importance of the sea to early modern empires, to the vital urgency of understanding and altering the human impact on the health of the oceans, we will explore how representing the sea is connected with understanding its power and its fragility. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 373/AAAS 373. (Same as AAAS 573.) Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 576. Art in the Age of Rubens, Rembrandt and Vermeer: Northern Baroque. 3 Credits.
This course surveys significant 17th-century paintings, prints and drawings produced in the Northern and Southern Netherlands (modern-day Netherlands and Belgium). Artists whose works will be discussed include Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, and other painters of scenes of daily life, landscapes, cityscapes, portraits and still-lifes. Artistic elements of individual works and their relationship to major changes in patronage and religious, political, economic and cultural contexts will be examined. Assigned readings will present a range of methodological perspectives. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 376. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, or consent of instructor.
HA 580. History of Photography. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the history of photography. We will consider strategies used over its history to make photography an art, a witness to truth, a record of fact, a purveyor of falsehoods, a mass medium, a hawker of goods and ideologies, an agent of political change, a means of remembrance, and more. Intended for graduate students. Not open to students with credit in HA 380. Prerequisite: HA 100, HA 151, or the equivalent, and consent of instructor.
HA 585. The Art of Buddhism. 3 Credits.
A survey of Buddhist visual arts (architecture, sculpture, and painting) of India, China, Japan, and Korea. Through an examination of the history of Buddhist art interpreted from visual, historical, social, and political perspectives, the course enables students to analyze a wide range of Buddhist art forms within their regional contexts. Students will also consider how Buddhist-related material functions within museums and engage with local collections. The course is taught at the 300 and 500-levels with additional work required at the 500-level. Not open to students with credit in HA 385. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 586. Japanese Painting. 3 Credits.
A survey covering the development of Japanese painting from the seventh century to the early twentieth century. Topics include Buddhist and other religious paintings, narrative handscrolls, ink painting, decorative folding screens, ukiyo-e prints, and western-style paintings from the late eighteenth through early twentieth centuries. This course is offered at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in EALC/HA 386. Prerequisite: An introductory course in Asian art or consent of instructor.
HA 587. Japanese Sculpture. 3 Credits.
This course will examine three-dimensional arts from Japan from a range of different historical periods and perspectives. We will begin with prehistoric terracotta tomb figures and end with modern Western-style sculpture of the twentieth century. The course will address Buddhist sculpture in depth and also include a unit on traditional Japanese ceramics. During class sessions, students will develop a basic knowledge of the historical background, terminology, and visual vocabulary of Japanese sculpture. Students will learn to identify major artists, styles, schools, periods, and develop the critical skills needed to discuss three-dimensional visual culture of Japan. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with HA 387 or EALC 387.
HA 588. Modern and Contemporary Visual Arts of Japan. 3 Credits.
This course covers Japanese visual arts from the Meiji era (1868-1912) through the present day. The course is designed thematically as well as chronologically, and examines painting, sculpture and architecture focusing on both socio-political contexts and artistic concerns that emerged at certain times in recent Japanese history. The aim of this course is to provide first-hand knowledge of Japanese modern and contemporary visual arts as well as an in-depth consideration of some of the key issues attached to Japan's modernization and modernity. The course is taught at the 300 and 500 levels with additional work required at the 500 level. Not open to students with credit in HA 388/EALC 388. Prerequisite: An introductory course in art history or consent of instructor.
HA 590. Special Study in African Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in African art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history or African Studies, or consent of the instructor.
HA 591. Special Study in Asian Art: ______. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Asian art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history or Asian Studies, or consent of the instructor.
HA 592. Special Study in Ancient Art: ______. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in ancient art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in Art History or Classics, or consent of the instructor.
HA 593. Special Study in Medieval Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in medieval art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history, or consent of the instructor.
HA 595. Special Study in Baroque Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in Baroque art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Same topic may not be taken at both the 300 and 500-levels. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history, or consent of the instructor.
HA 597. Special Study in Modern Art: _____. 1-6 Credits.
This course is designed for the study of special topics in modern art, including courses taken through study abroad. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Prerequisite: An appropriate introductory-level course in art history, or consent of the instructor.
HA 677. African Design. 3 Credits.
This course examines the conceptualization of the "decorative" arts in Africa, including textiles, metals, ceramics, wall decoration, and jewelry, and investigates the relation of this art historical category to modernism. How did such a wide range of artistic practices come to be grouped together? Are terms such as "decorative art" and "craft" still operative, and how do they reflect ideas about race and gender? How have African artists approached "traditional" design? What social factors influenced artistic processes and what is the historical symbolism of medium? To address these questions, we will consider artists' writings, art schools and apprenticeships, gender dynamics, transnational artistic exchanges, the concept of the artist-artisan, and the meaning of material and process. Our discussions will span historical and contemporary contexts, and also will examine colonial systems of classification, gender norms and laws, practices of appropriation, and tourism. (Same as AAAS 677.) Prerequisite: An Art History course 100 level or above, or consent of instructor.
Required for departmental honors. A course of directed research and the preparation of a paper on an art history topic, supervised by a professor. Prerequisite: A grade-point average of 3.5 in art history and 3.25 in all courses, and consent of a major advisor and supervising professor.
HA 706. Seminar: _____. 3 Credits.
A concentrated study of a specific topic in art history. May be repeated for credit if content varies. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 707. Directed Readings. 1-6 Credits.
Supervised study and research into specialized areas of art history. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 719. Art Histories: Theory and Methodology. 3 Credits.
This course examines the major methodologies and theories that have shaped and continue to shape the field of art history. Through critical reading of primary, secondary, and interpretive texts, the course will analyze closely the history and current state of the discipline. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 720. Asian Art: Theory and Method. 3 Credits.
This course examines important methodologies and theories of the past and present employed in the field of Asian art history. Through critical reading of primary documents and secondary scholarship, students will gain historical perspective on and practical tools for research in the history of Asian art and visual culture. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 760. Proseminar in Korean Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides an intensive study of a selected topic in the visual arts of Korea. Topics may focus on a particular genre, theme, historical period or group of artists, for example Buddhist painting and sculpture, Choson period landscape and genre painting, ceramics and lacquerware, or modern and contemporary art in North and South Korea. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 780. African Art and Gender. 3 Credits.
How does the rich relationship between art and gender provide an organizing metaphor for African artists across space and time? How do artists shape understandings of gender? In this course, we will examine gender in artistic practice alongside cultural binaries and consider how gender historically operated to define distinct roles for artists. We will study how formulations of gender and race intersected to impact artistic production and classification during the colonial and postcolonial periods. We will analyze materiality and the metaphor of childbirth, gender and Islamic textiles, and the concept of "craft.". This course is offered at the 300 and 700 level with additional assignments at the 700 level. Not open to students with credit in AAAS 380/HA 360/WGSS 380. (Same as AAAS 780.) Prerequisite: Any previous AAAS course.
HA 788. Proseminar in Japanese Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a critical analysis of readings on selected topics in Japanese art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 789. Proseminar in Chinese Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a critical analysis of readings on selected topics in Chinese art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 898. Franklin Murphy Seminar in Art History: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a specific topic in art history led by a KU faculty member in coordination with the visiting Franklin Murphy Professor. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 906. Seminar: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a specific topic in art history. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 907. Directed Readings. 1-6 Credits.
Supervised study and research into specialized areas of art history. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 925. Seminar in Medieval Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a study of selected problems dealing with the art of the Middle Ages. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 940. Seminar in 17th Century European Art: ______. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in 17th-century European Art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 955. Seminar in 19th Century European Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in 19th-century European art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 965. Seminar in American Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in American art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 980. Seminar in Chinese Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in Chinese art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 990. Seminar in Japanese Art: _____. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in Japanese art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 995. Seminar in Korean Art: ______. 3 Credits.
This course provides a concentrated study of a topic in Korean art. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
HA 999. Doctoral Dissertation. 1-12 Credits.
Dissertation research and writing. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.