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Art History Courses

101.  World Art I: Caves to Cathedrals (I; 3, 0)
This course explores the art and architecture created throughout the world from the prehistoric period to roughly the 14th century. Visual analysis will be the main focus.

102.  World Art II: Renaissance to Now (I or II; 3, 0)
This course explores art and architecture from 1400 to the present. Focus on visual analysis and the development of European and American art from the Renaissance to Postmodernism.

204.  Castle, Cathedral and Cloister (I; 3, 0)
Architecture, sculpture, and painting from the Early Christian period to the beginning of the Renaissance. Monastic, religious, and secular arts will be explored.

207.  Modern Art: 1850 - 1915 (I; 3, 0)
Examination of artists and movements from 1850 to 1915, including Realism, Impressionism, Post-impressionism, Symbolism, Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, and Abstraction. Focus on innovations in French painting and urban experience.

208.  Modern Art: 1915 - Now (II; 3, 0)
Examination of artists and movements after 1915, including Dadaism, Surrealism, Constructivism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Conceptual Art, and Performance Art. Issues of class, race, and gender will be central.

210.  Special Topics in Art History (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Topics will vary each semester.

213.  History of Global Architecture (I or II; 3, 0)
This course traces the "Western" architectural tradition with particular attention to technical advances and cultural context.

215.  Architecture and Art in London (I; 3, 0) Half or full course.
To undertake the study of the art of England and other countries as presented by and in the city of London and its environs. Prerequisites: London Semester students only and permission of the instructor.

218.  French Art and Architecture (II; 3, 0)
Selected topics in painting, sculpture, and architecture from the medieval period to the present time. Prerequisites: Bucknell en France students only and permission of the instructor.

221.  Visual Cultures of the Mediterranean 1 - 1000 CE (AII; 3, 0)
This class explores the visual art and architecture of the cultures (Romans, Jews, Muslims, Christians, etc.) that lived around the Mediterranean in the first millennium.

222.  Philosophy of Art (I or II; 3, 0)
Analysis of the creative process, the work of art, natural beauty, aesthetic experience, and principles of criticism. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as PHIL 212.

224.  Art and Architecture of Asia (I; 3, 0)
This course explores art and architecture of Asia from Neolithic period to the present. Special attention will be given to significant monuments and cultural context.

225.  Popular Culture and Prints (II; 3, 0)
Popular culture as expressed in prints: their subjects, history, purpose, and social significance from Albrecht Dürer to Andy Warhol. Study original prints in Bucknell's and NYC collections.

226.  Art of Japan (II; 3, 0)
Introduction to the art and architecture of Japan. Crosslisted as EAST 227.

227.  Introduction to Visual Culture (I or II; 0, 3)
Introduction to the interdisciplinary study of visual culture with particular attention to representations and media from popular culture (billboards; slasher films; music video; etc.). Emphasis on issues of class, race and gender.

240.  The Art of Structural Engineering (II; 3, 0)
Study of the development of the forms of buildings and bridges from scientific, social and symbolic perspectives using historical and modern examples. Students will analyze and critique structures through writing exercises, simple calculations (no calculus), and construction of physical models. Crosslisted as UNIV 240.

241.  Archaeology of Egypt (AI or AII; 3, 0)
Survey of the material culture, with emphasis on major architectural and artistic developments and their legacy to modern Western civilization. Crosslisted as CLAS 241.

242.  Archaeology of Greece (AI; 3, 0)
Survey of the material culture of the Greek world from the Bronze Age through the Hellenistic period. Crosslisted as CLAS 242.

243.  Archaeology of Rome (AII; 3, 0)
Survey of the material culture of the Roman world from the Etruscans through the late Empire. Crosslisted as CLAS 243.

263.  Art Gallery Internships (I or II; 6, 0)
The Bucknell Art Galleries offer three opportunities for student internships: Gallery Curatorial Intern will learn how exhibitions are curated and produced; Museum Collection Intern will learn how the permanent collection is conserved, documented, and used in research; Museum Education and Public Programs Intern will learn how galleries educate the public about art. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

264.  Museum Studies: Gillray Exhibition (I or II; 3, 0)
This seminar will study and mount an exhibition of the caricatures (original prints in Bucknell's Samek Art Gallery) of James Gillray (1756-1815), the English engraver who invented the genre of British political caricature. Students will learn all aspects of organizing an exhibition.

265.  Controversies in Art (AI or AII; 3, 0)
An investigation of philosophical issues related to various controversies in the art world and in aesthetics more generally. Prerequisite: PHIL 100 or permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as PHIL 265 and WMST 265.

271.  Da Vinci and Renaissance Art (I; 3, 0)
Renaissance art in Italy with emphasis on Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Titian and others, and studying original paintings in Samek Art Gallery. Essential for students planning to study abroad in Italy.

273.  Northern Renaissance Art (II; 3, 0)
Renaissance art in Northern Europe and its interconnections with Italian art. Flemish, French, and German painting by van Eyck, Albrecht Dürer, Grünewald, Holbein, François Clouet, Primaticcio compared with Raphael, Leonardo, painters in Venice.

275.  Art and Architecture of the Islamic World (II; 3, 0)
A survey of Islamic art and architecture from the inception of the faith in the 7th century through the 16th century.

300.  Special Topics in Medieval Art (I; R; 3, 0)
In-depth focus on one of several possible topics in medieval art, including the Cloister, the Portal, pilgrimage, or the saints. Prerequisite: ART 101 or ART 204 or permission of the instructor.

319.  320. Independent Study in Art History (I and II; R) Quarter to full course.
Advanced problems in art history. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

323.  Contemporary Art (I or II; 3, 0)
Study of key artists and concepts of the past 30 years. Focus on the transformation from modernism to postmodernism in painting, sculpture, photography, and performance art. Prerequisite: one of the following ARTH 102, ARTH 207, ARTH 208 or permission of the instructor.

325.  Special Studies in Modern Art (I and II; R; 3, 0)
Seminar focusing on selected aspects of the interaction between the fine arts, popular culture, and contemporary society in the modern world. Prerequisite: one of the following ARTH 102, ARTH 211, ARTH 227 or ARTH 323.

370.  Kress Paintings Seminar (I; 0, 3)
Study and do research on the Samek Art Gallery's collection of original Italian Renaissance paintings (Kress Collection) and prepare new publication on these pictures.

371.  Gillray Prints Seminar (II; 0, 3)
Study the political and social caricatures of English engraver James Gillray in the original prints in the Samek Art Gallery collection; the tradition of caricature, and libel and freedom of speech issues.

372.  Arts in Comparison: East/West (I or II; 3, 0)
Comparison of the roles that art has played in Asia with those in Europe, including representations of religion, society, geography and commerce. Prerequisite: ARTH 101, or ARTH 102, or permission of the instructor.

380.  381. Honors Art History (I and II; R)
Independent study leading to the writing of a thesis. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

401.  Renaissance Women (II; 3, 0)
Interdisciplinary study of Renaissance women, their lives and experiences and their images in art, considered within their historical, social, literary contexts and constructs, and self-fashioning. Prerequisite: junior or senior status.

402.  Culminating Experience (I; 3, 0)
Required for all art history majors. Students will explore individual research projects independently and workshop them in class. The class will culminate in a departmental art history conference where students will present their work. Prerequisite: senior status. Juniors by permission only.