Methods and Historiography of Art History (401-1-2)

Topic

Proseminar

Instructors

Jesús Escobar
847/467-0854
Kresge 4321
Office Hours: W 3-4pm; R 3:30-4:30pm

Meeting Info

Kresge 4354 Art Hist. Sem. Rm.: Tues 2:00PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

Art history occupies a prominent place in the humanities. Whether one traces its origins to antiquity, the sixteenth century, or modern times, it is a discipline that has evolved and transformed considerably over the past century. This course takes stock of art history's history with the objective of asking students interested in buildings, objects, and visual culture broadly conceived what art history has done and what it might do going forward. Participants will engage with scholarship from a range of historical periods and covering broad geographies. They will be assessed on preparation for and participation in weekly seminar meetings; an oral presentation centered on an object or building; a series of brief writing assignments in response to course readings; and a research prospectus on a topic related or adjacent to an envisioned dissertation project.

Intended primarily for first-year art history graduate students, Art History 401 also welcomes students from across the humanities interested in pursuing research topics that engage with visual culture and/or the built environment and for whom exploring the methods and approaches of art and architectural historians can be useful. Through collective learning, the course aims to offer a community building experience at the initiation of graduate study in the humanities.

Class Materials (Required)

Russo, Alessandra. A New Antiquity: Art and Humanity as Universal, 1400-1600. University Park: Penn State University Press, 2024. ISBN: 9780271095691

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: REASON: Pre-registration is not allowed for this class. Please try again during regular registration.