ARTH 370: Arts of the United States

ARTH 370-001: Arts of the United States
(Spring 2026)

12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW

Innovation Hall 208

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Section Information for Spring 2026

This course focuses on art, architecture, and material culture in the United States from the colonial period to the mid-twentieth century. Over that time, the U.S. transitioned from a British colony with limited artistic culture and infrastructure into an independent nation with a vibrant and influential art scene. Studying paintings, sculptures, photographs, and everyday items like furniture and quilts, this class will examine how these objects conveyed cultural or social values, told stories, served useful functions, or pushed aesthetic innovations. We will also study how art shaped ideas about American national identity during key historical moments such as the American Revolution, Civil War, and Great Depression.

Tags:

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Introduces students to high art (painting and sculpture) and popular material and visual cultural forms (prints, furniture, textiles) through a chronological and thematic survey of U.S. Art, 1600 to 1950. Explores changing roles of arts, artists, craftsmen; issues of gender, race, class; and formation of national identify through the arts. Lectures and discussion are featured. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts, Just Societies
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.