Art History
Art History Before 1450
VAFA191
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.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Art History After 1450
VAFA192
This survey course covers painting, sculpture, and/or architecture from the Renaissance through Impressionism. Students gain a formal understanding of Western art by major artists of the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries. They interpret selected examples of art using a variety of analytic methodologies, including cultural, religious, social, political, and/or economic context.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
History of Modern Art
VAFA193
This survey course covers painting, sculpture, and/or architecture from the late-nineteenth century up to the present. Students gain a formal understanding of major twentieth-century stylistic movements. They interpret selected examples of Modern art using a variety of analytic methodologies, including cultural, religious, social, political, and/or economic context.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
American Art History
VAFA194
This survey course covers the history of American painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, and other significant arts and crafts from the settlement period to the present. Students gain a formal understanding of American art. Students examine American art from cultural, social, and economic perspectives.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Non-Western Art History
VAFA195
This course surveys the art and architecture of India, China, and Japan, from the earliest times to the 19th century. Indian art is presented in the context of Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic traditions. Relationships between Chinese and Japanese art are examined. Influence in Islamic and Western culture is also explored.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
Graphic Design History
VAGD190
This graphic design survey course covers visual communication since the Middle Ages, focusing on the period from the Arts & Crafts Movement through Postmodernism. Students gain a formal understanding, and they interpret selected examples using a variety of analytic methodologies, including cultural, religious, social, political, and/or economic context.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or better or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
The Art of Independent Cinema (formerly COMC141)
VACV141
Students examine films made outside of the film industry, which fall into three genres -- experimental, documentary, and animated. Particular emphasis is given to form and technique and how they are used to express meaning. The course traces the development of alternative cinema from its beginnings to the present.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
The Art of Theatrical Cinema
VACV142
Students examine the art and craft of the narrative cinema as it has developed from the beginning of film history to the present. Feature films are analyzed for their visual and story elements, as well as their historic, cultural, religious, political, and economic context.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
History of American Furniture
VAFW190
Students analyze American furniture in the context of craft, elements of style, connoisseurship, historical influences, connections to European and Eastern traditions, socio-economics, regionalism, pattern books, and related domestic architecture.
3 credits
Prerequisite: Writing Placement Test score of 6 or COMP107 (C or better)
Corequisite: None
History: American Architecture
HIST198
This course surveys four centuries of American architecture. The work of architects and the evolution of architectural styles are examined as a reflection of broader historical trends. Through observation, description, and analysis, students build their visual literacy skills and architectural vocabulary to recognize and interpret a building’s historic character.
3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None