Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: Art History

Meeting: 2:00PM - 3:15PM MW (25-AUG-2025 - 5-DEC-2025) 

Part of Term: Full Term

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Distribution Group: Distribution Group I

Method of Instruction: Face to Face

Credit Hours: 3

 

Section Max Enrollment: 30

Section Enrolled: 5

Total Cross-list Max Enrollment: 30

Total Cross-list Enrolled: 6

Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99) 

Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.

Enrollment data as of: 20-APR-2025 3:17PM

 

 

Final Exam: No Final Exam

 

Description: This course is an introductory approach to the art of the medieval world from the rise of Christian art in the third century to the crystallization of the medieval artistic traditions in the tenth century. The focus will be on the development of distinctive artistic forms, contents and functions not only in Western Europe but also in the Byzantine world of the Christian eastern Mediterranean and the early Islamic Empires. We will also look to the Silk Empire as well. Many forms of artistic expression will be considered, with special attention to architecture, monumental painting and sculpture, book illumination, and work in precious metals. The chief purpose of this course is to help you develop a language with which to speak about and intelligently discuss early medieval art. To that end, each assignment, from the readings to the graded group discussions, is preparing you to write compellingly and accurately about not only medieval visual objects but visual objects in general. Formerly offered as HART 330. Students cannot receive credit for HART 230 if the student has previously taken HART 330. Cross-list: MDEM 230. Recommended Prerequisite(s): HART 101