ARTH 200: History of Western Art before 1400

ARTH 200-DL1: Hist Western Art before 1400
(Spring 2027)

Online

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Section Information for Spring 2027

This course provides a detailed survey of the major artistic periods in art historical study from the prehistoric to the early Renaissance. Throughout the class, our goals will be to: build a vocabulary through which we can appreciate, analyze, and understand the major developments of art history; describe the relationship between history and the creation of art objects from cultural, religious, social, and individual perspectives; and differentiate the artistic achievements that define the regional and chronological study of western civilization. The course begins with the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia and the Near East, followed by the rich architectural heritage of the Aegean, Greece, and Rome. Next, we will explore the development of major religions of the west and their consequent effects on medieval art. Finally, we will investigate the foundations of the Renaissance in Europe via shifts in philosophical, intellectual, and theological discourse. While the primary focus of this class is the European art historical tradition, at the end of the course we will examine the legacy of eastern art and its influence on the western world via economic, religious, and military contact. This course satisfies the Mason Core Arts requirement.

This is an online asynchronous section.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Major periods, monuments, and themes of Western art and architecture. Introduces Washington, D.C., museum collections and a historical framework for further study in art history. Covers prehistory, the ancient world, and the Middle Ages. Notes: Designed as a two-course sequence, but each part may be taken independently without prerequisite. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.