OBJECTIVES IN ART HISTORY COURSES

The aim of any art history course is to increase the student's ability to perceive and interpret the visual content presented in the lectures and required readings. In conjunction with this goal, art history courses seek to stimulate and strengthen independent analytical thinking and observation, critical reading, aesthetic awareness, and the preparation of written and oral presentations.

The aims of specific courses may be the following:

-To help students understand the history of architecture, drawing, photography, painting, prints, and sculpture in its social and cultural contexts.


-To examine the relationships between the development of style in architecture, drawing, photography, painting, prints, and sculpture and the invention of scientific and technical processes.


-To understand the historical development of conventions, meanings, and symbols in architecture, drawing, photography, painting, prints, and sculpture and to interpret these conventions in their cultural context.


-To study the contributions of individual artists to the history of architecture, drawing, photography, painting, and sculpture and to examine with historical and actual trends in the art.


-To familiarize student with art historical research methods and bibliographic material, including art journals and magazines.


-To encourage student. to develop critical thinking about works of art and express their ideas through writing about art.


-To familiarize students with cultural institutions in the Boston and New England area that collects and exhibits art.


-To give students experience with solving problems in preparing reports through a collaborative process and oral or written presentation.

Dr. Liana De Girolami Cheney
Coordinator of Art History
Interdisciplinary & Intercollegiate Studies