ART 334-01, American Art, Spring 2006

Abstract

The objectives of the course are as follows: (1) to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the major works, artists, and movements of American art from the colonial period through 1940; (2) to integrate these works of art within the broader social and intellectual history of the period; and (3) to help students develop their skills in visual analysis, image identification, and historical interpretation. Among the issues we will examine are the following: the development of indigenous styles of architecture, the debt to European conventions in painting and sculpture, the place of the visual arts within a democracy, the attempt to define the experience of America through painting and sculpture, and the periodic attempt to break free of European precedent. Art 334 is a survey of the visual arts produced within the geographic region that became the United States. Though the emphasis of the course is on the visual arts, the ideas covered are applicable to courses covering the same chronological period in American studies, history and literature. This is an intermediate level course with no prerequisites. It satisfies the fine arts requirement and may also be used toward the American studies minor. Art 334 is a lecture course with discussion based on a variety of readings.