This course offers an introduction to the major artistic monuments of the ancient world from the Ancient Near East and Egypt through the civilizations of Greece and Rome and beyond. Lectures focus on works of art and architecture from these diverse cultures providing insight into the specific historic contexts in which they were produced and the particular civic, religious and political functions they served. Textbook readings will be supplemented with a series of culturally and historically specific case studies and primary sources as a means of providing exposure to a wide variety of material within a critical framework. Students will develop skills in visual literacy and gain a basic understanding of the methods and aims of art historical study.
View complete course outline: ARTH209A2010 [.pdf]