How might you define the term “humanities,” and where does Art History fold into that umbrella term?  Have you ever wondered how Art History came about as a discipline? Perhaps you are interested in social history as it pertains to Manet’s artworks or are wondering about how Feminism can relate to Renaissance paintings.  If you are interested in art, history, philosophy, aesthetics, or any of the above questions, this class will interest you!

Theories and Methods of Art History will provide you with exposure to art-historical terms, figures, and ideas in their respective contexts with the goal of preparing you to contribute to scholarship in Art History and other Humanistic fields. We will engage with both new and older texts in this course to demonstrate the ruptures and adaptations within traditional theories and methods, the expansion of our own ways of thinking, and the various inter-disciplinary approaches in Art History.  Taking this course will allow you to contribute nuanced ideas and insights to our discipline and others, keeping them robust fields of inquiry.