Category: 26-27 Catalog

2026-2027 Academic Catalog

  • AHV-202 VISUAL NARRATION ASIA

    This course is an introduction to arts and visual,cultures of Asia from across the continent and,across millennia. Content covered will range in,style, medium, and concepts of visual aesthetics,from the frameworks of religion, philosophy,,metaphysics, economics, and power structures.,Items from historical and contemporary contexts,can include painted and sculpted artifacts as well,as architectural and public monuments,,encountering recurrent regional themes such as,scrolling thundercloud motifs, animal & floral,symbolism, weaponry, and precious stones, vibrant,hues of Persian blues, sacred texts & Buddhist,symbols, celestial icons of mythic origins, and,various narratives handed down through the,centuries. This course examines each work of art,in its particular cultural context, including its,patron, maker, and original consumers. The class,will reflect critically on changing ideas of what,constitutes ‘Asia’ as we investigate arts of the,rich, colorful, and strikingly diverse cultures,across the continent

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-203 GLOBAL ART HISTORY I

    This course examines the artistic and,architectural history of ancient and medieval,cultures, emphasizing their global,interconnectedness. The course focuses on specific,civilizations while fostering analytical thinking,across time and geography. Themes such as,cross-cultural exchange, the influence of,religious beliefs on artistic patronage, and the,role of political power in shaping art are,explored. Additionally, the course addresses the,significance of iconography and symbolism in,various cultural contexts. Students gain critical,vocabulary and analytical skills to interpret,artworks beyond the class, appreciating the,plurality of visual cultures from the ancient to,medieval eras.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-204 GLOBAL ART HISTORY II

    This course explores the history of art and,architecture across various cultures in the early,modern, modern, and contemporary periods,,highlighting global interconnectedness. Each,lecture focuses on specific cultures while,encouraging comparative analysis across time and,geography. Themes include cross-cultural exchange,,the influence of religion and political economy on,art, the significance of icons and symbolism, and,the shaping of identity through visual culture.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-206 HISTORY OF AMERICAN ILLUSTRATION

    This course focuses on printed art in America,from pre-1890 through the 1950’s. The influence,of illustrators on the attitudes and customs of,their times is the focus. Using a format of,study by decade, the course explores the making,of pictures to tell a story regardless of medium. ,A more theoretical approach is used in discussions,of the great teachers and of women in,illustration.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-210 CONCEPTS AND METHODS OF VISUAL CULTURE

    This course examines the role of the visual in,theory and practice. The approach taken is both,structural and historical, presenting various,critical frameworks and then using them to,analyze specific examples of visual culture and ,their time periods including, but not limited to,,examples of cultural appropriation and the impact,of cultural diversity. The course considers the ,visual through multiple dimensions–aesthetics, ,economics, politics, sociology, etc. It also ,reflects on the development of visual culture ,studies as an interdisciplinary field. A range ,of visual media–painting, photography, design, ,digital, etc.–and their cultural environments ,are examined. Heavy emphasis is placed on the,student’s ability to absorb visual culture theory,and apply it to written assignments and other,research. This course may be used for Social,Science credit.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: WRT 102 (formerly DEN 102)

  • AHV-213 HISTORY OF PHOTOGRAPHY

    This course concentrates on significant movements,within the field of photography and accompanying,historical and political events that occurred,from the invention of photography in 1839 through,its many stages of development to the present,day. The course further reflects on how,photography continues to influence cultures,globally.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-214 HISTORY OF ANIMATION AND DIGITAL MEDIA

    The origins, history and technique of traditional,cel animation, visual effects, puppet and 3D,animation are explored, with an emphasis on the,creators and their innovations as well as,historical context. Important and minor films from,around the world are explored. A large,portion of the class will focus on the “golden”,era of animation, 1930-1956, from the pioneering,work of Winsor McCay to the new styles and,approaches pioneered by United Productions of,America and the National Film Board of Canada.,This class also includes a survey of work,worldwide. The class consists of film,showings, lectures and exploration into the,techniques used.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-215 HISTORY OF FILM

    This course offers a focused yet wide-ranging,overview of the history of film. Student will,develop a historical understanding of film based,on a survey of cinematic traditions and movements,contained within narrative, documentary, and,experimental forms, and acquire a critical,,technical, and aesthetic vocabulary relating to,particular cinematic practices and structures,,including the impact of technological,developments on film production, the formation of,genre, the legacy of auteurism and the ways in,which meaning in films is conditioned by the uses,of camera, editing, lighting, sound and acting.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-216 HISTORY OF VIDEO GAMES

    This course will examine the history and roots of,video games as an industry and as an artistic,medium by observing the advancements made in the,visual art and theories of game design.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites:

  • AHV-218 CONTEMPORARY ART

    This course considers the development of visual,art and culture from 1945 through the present,,taking into account corresponding art theories and,critical ideas that emerged from inside and,outside the West. Students investigate art,movements such as Abstract Expressionism, Color,Field, Minimalism, Fluxus, Happenings, Performance,Art, Environmental/Land Art, Video Art, Body Art,,Social Practice, and others.

    Credits: 3

    Prerequisites: