Courses for Undergraduate Students
ARTH 282
Introduction to World Art
Tu Th 11-12:15 pm, Face-to-Face (S. Bell)
Tu Th 12:30-1:45 pm, Face-to-Face (E. Stuart)
Tu Th 2-3:15 pm, Online Synchronous (M. Quinlan)
An introduction to the ways in which human civilization has imagined itself and expressed its vision of the world over time and in different cultural contexts across the globe, this course also considers how these arts continue to be interpreted by contemporary scholars and audiences. The course can serve as one of the required courses for School of Art and Design majors. This is an NIU General Education course in the Knowledge Domain: Creativity and Critical Analysis and Pathway: Origins and Influences.
ARTH 292
Introduction to Modern Arts and Design
M W 11-12:15 pm, Face-to-Face (R. Houze)
M W 12:30-1:45 pm, Face-to-Face (R. Houze)
This course is a wide-ranging survey of artworks and practices that have challenged the artistic status quo while responding to the diverse economic, political, and social contexts of the recent past and present. The course can serve as one of the required courses for School of Art and Design majors. This is an NIU General Education course in the Knowledge Domain: Creativity and Critical Analysis and Pathway: Creativity, Innovation and Change.
ARTH 310
Studies in Ancient and Middle-Eastern Art: Etruscan and Early Roman Art
Tu Th 2-3:15; Hybrid: Face-to-Face and Online Synchronous (S. Bell)
The Etruscans were a vibrant, independent people whose distinct civilization flourished in central Italy for most of the first millennium BCE and whose artistic, social and cultural traditions helped shape the ancient Mediterranean, European, and Classical worlds. This course surveys Etruscan art and culture, incorporating the most up-to-date research and recent archaeological discoveries. In addition to addressing traditional topics, such as architecture, wall painting, ceramics, and sculpture, this course will look at such issues as Etruscan jewelry as an expression of social identity, the important role of women in its society, the afterlife of their civilization, etc. The course is divided into three parts: (1) an historical introduction, in which we will survey the evidence, general trends and historical development of the Etruscans; (2) thematic topics, in which we will look in depth at particular aspects of their art, society and culture; and (3) a look at contemporary issues, including the debate over their origins and the impact of looting and the modern antiquities trade on their heritage.
ARTH 330F
Studies in Early Modern European Art: When South and North Met
Tu 6:00-8:40 pm, Online Synchronous (M. Quinlan)
Th 6-8:40 pm, Online Synchronous (M. Quinlan)
With a focus on fifteenth- and sixteenth-century European art, this course examines the common ground as well as the cultural differences that separated, and to some degree still separate Southern Europe and Northern Europe and their visual cultures. The histories of science, religions, and art will move through these centuries. This is a General Education Course. It is Writing Infused and includes undergraduate research. The course serves as an elective for the BFA, BA Art, BS Art, and B.S.Ed degree program
ARTH 350
Studies in Contemporary Art
M W 11-12:15 pm, Face-to-Face (S Evans)
M W 12:30-2 pm, Face-to-Face (S Evans)
Study of the history of contemporary art is a study of ideas about art as well as intertwined historical contexts. On the one hand, we see the increasing institutionalization and commodification of art. On the other hand, we see the pursuit of social justice. The era of contemporary art begins in the mid-1950s, when artists adopt Marcel Duchamp’s insight that art is primarily conceptual, not visual. This means that an artwork is not solely a visually stimulating object; instead, it is a vehicle for exploration. In addition to lectures and readings, and two brief essays, this course gives students the opportunity to present their favorite contemporary artist to the class. Every third class will be wholly devoted to discussion. ARTH 350C satisfies PLUS (Creativity and Critical Analysis) requirements, is included in the Creativity, Innovation and Change Pathway, and has been certified
as “Writing Infused.”
ARTH 361/ ENVS 361X
History of Sustainable Design
M W 9:30-10:45 am, Face-to-Face (R. Houze)
Beginning with the impulse to preserve the past in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, this course examines how designers have responded to shifts in industrialization and urbanization over the past two decades, with attention to new technologies and new attitudes towards community and social responsibility. The course will include lectures, readings, and discussions on thematic topics including historic preservation, sustainable technologies, the relationship of design to environment, collective housing policies, counterculture, new urbanism, and the Green movement. ARTH 361 satisfies PLUS (Society and Culture) requirements, is included in the Sustainability Pathway, and has been certified as “Writing Infused.” Environmental Studies majors should register for ENVS 361X.
ARTH 370G
Studies in Asian Art: Thematic Subjects—Ukiyo-e
W 6-8:40 pm; Hybrid: Face-to-Face and Online Synchronous during October (H. Nagata)
This course will focus on Ukiyo-e (multicolor woodblock prints), which developed during the Edo period from the 17th c. and continued through the 19th into the 20th c. The world of ukiyo-e or Japanese multicolor woodblock prints from the early modern period (Edo period, 17th-19th c.) is extremely rich in technical innovation, styles, subject-matter, and genres. There are also exquisite paintings on hanging scrolls, handscrolls, and folding screens in the ukiyo-e style. This course will ask you to gain a basic knowledge of ukiyo-e craft, artistry, and cultural contexts, as well as to gain fresh insight and a deeper understanding of the art form achieved through solid analytical and interpretive skills and original research. There will be an opportunity to collaborate on a project online with students at Yamaguchi Prefectural University in Japan during the month of October. It will provide opportunities to broaden perspectives and opportunities to learn from peers. In the process, students will be learning valuable life skills about visual analysis and interpretation, research and creation of arguments, as well as professionalism in organization and communication. ARTH 370G is an NIU General Education course in the Knowledge Domain: Society and Culture and is Writing Infused. Students must be able to use Zoom and collaborate with each other and their team in Japan online
during the month of October. Contact: hnagata@niu.edu.
ARTH 451/551
Cultural Perspectives in Ancient Art and Architecture:
Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Art
Tu Th 3:30-4:45 pm, Face to Face (S. Bell)
What can "art" (visual representations) tell us about gender norms and sexual identity in the societies and cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Etruscan Italy, and Rome? How was the relationship between the biological category of sex (male, female) and the socialized categories of gender visualized and understood? This seminar will explore these questions through the lens of visual evidence and literary sources as well as modern scholarly interpretations. Sources in the original ancient languages will appear in translation.
ARTH 485/585
Topics in Art History: Exploration of Asian Art Traditions
Related to the Ellwood House Museum Collection, Part 2
Tu Th 9:30-10:45 am, Face-to-Face (H. Nagata)
This course follows ARTH 457 and ARTH 585 (SP26), which focused on preliminary research of selected Asian art at the Ellwood House Museum to assist in their project to study their Asian art collection and prepare an exhibition of them. This course will offer opportunities to continue to investigate nature imagery and symbolism, figural styles and subjects, landscape compositions and decorative patterns) and themes (associated with Chinese Confucian ideals, Buddhism, or Japanese cultural arts and traditions). The media ranges from porcelains, costume and textiles, carpentry and furniture, to sculpture and painting. The works need also to be placed in the contexts of the fashionable, popular demand for Chinoiserie during the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the interests of the Ellwoods and the home they created and furnished. In the fall, work will shift toward more concrete research, planning, and installation preparation of the exhibition. Get involved in this course and this project if you are interested in Asian art, Chinoiserie, Japonisme, or Museum Studies and exhibition planning! Writing Infused, Community Engagement designation. This course meets concurrently with the graduate section ARTH 585 Topics in Art History. This course serves as an elective for the BFA,
BA Art, BS Art, and B.S.Ed degree programs.
ARTH 486/586
Art Historical Methodology
Th 6-8:40 pm, Online Synchronous (S. Evans)
This course will survey a variety of methods art historians and cultural theorists have developed to determine what the proper objects of the discipline should be and how best to fashion a comprehensive history for these objects. Students will learn to conduct art historical research based on primary and secondary sources, and to analyze the methods and critical theories used by different authors. ARTH 486 is required for art history majors. This course is combined with the graduate section ARTH 586.This is a combined graduate/undergraduate section.
Courses for Graduate Students
ARTH 451/551
Cultural Perspectives in Ancient Art and Architecture:
Gender and Sexuality in Ancient Art
Tu Th 3:30-4:45 pm, Face to Face (S. Bell)
What can "art" (visual representations) tell us about gender norms and sexual identity in the societies and cultures of ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Etruscan Italy, and Rome? How was the relationship between the biological category of sex (male, female) and the socialized categories of gender visualized and understood? This seminar will explore these questions through the lens of visual evidence and literary sources as well as modern scholarly interpretations. Sources in the original ancient languages will appear in translation. This is a combined graduate/undergraduate section.
ARTH 485/585
Topics in Art History: Topics in Art History: Exploration of Asian Art Traditions Related to the Ellwood House Museum Collection, Part 2
Tu Th 9:30-10:45 am, Face-to-Face (H. Nagata)
The course is designed to assist the Ellwood House Museum with a project to study their Asian art collection and prepare an exhibition. There will be opportunities to investigate nature imagery and symbolism, figural styles and subjects, landscape compositions and decorative patterns) and themes (associated with Chinese Confucian ideals, Buddhism, or Japanese cultural arts and traditions). The media ranges from porcelains, costume and textiles, carpentry and furniture, to sculpture and painting. The works need also to be placed in the contexts of the fashionable, popular demand for Chinoiserie during the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as the interests of the Ellwoods and the home they created and furnished. For Part 2 of this work with the Ellwood House Museum, work will shift toward more concrete research, planning, and installation preparation of the exhibition. Get involved in this course and this project if you are interested in Asian art, Chinoiserie, Japonisme, or Museum Studies and exhibition planning! This course will meet at the same time as ARTH 485, and course content will be coordinated to align with that of ARTH 485. As a graduate course, however, participants will be expected to conduct research at a higher level and utilize strong analytical and interpretive skills with a proficient degree of creativity and critical thinking. Writing Infused, Community Engagement designation.
ARTH 486/586
Art Historical Methodology
Th 6-8:40 pm, Online Synchronous (S. Evans)
This course will survey a variety of methods art historians and cultural theorists have developed to determine what the proper objects of the discipline should be and how best to fashion a comprehensive history for these objects. Students will learn to conduct art historical research based on primary and secondary sources, and to analyze the methods and critical theories used by different authors. ARTH 486 is required for art history majors. It is open to students in all programs. This is a combined graduate/undergraduate section.
ARTH 701
Seminar in Art History: The Art of Visual Narrative in the Middle Ages
Tu 6-8:40 pm, Face-to-Face (A. Van Dijk)
During the Middle Ages, artists created images in a large variety of media and contexts to tell stories. How does telling a story with pictures differ from telling a story with words, and why was this art form so ubiquitous during the Middle Ages? What visual strategies did artists employ to tell stories, and to what ends? This is a reading intensive course that will consider theories of visual narrative and their implications for understanding individual examples of pictorial narrative, primarily from medieval Europe.
COURSES TAKEN INDEPENDENTLY
Students must obtain a permit from a faculty supervisor.
ARTH 499H
Senior Thesis in Art History
ARTH 603
Independent Study in Art History
ARTH 699A / 699B
Art History Thesis / Master’s Research Project
ART 780
Teaching at the College Level: Internship
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