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Introduction to Art History: Prehistory to Renaissance

Critical Thinking
Social Awareness & Responsibility

Course Description

Focuses on select objects and buildings between Prehistory and the Renaissance, such as the Ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the Islamic world, and Medieval Europe. Considering content, style, and cultural context, the discussion will introduce students to the academic discipline of art history through historic trends, intellectual ideas, and contemporary methodologies.


Athena Title

Intro Art History Preh to Ren


Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in ARHI 2300E, ARHI 2311H


Semester Course Offered

Offered fall


Grading System

A - F (Traditional)


Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will learn the history of art as a discipline.
  • Students will learn a range of art traditions from prehistory to 1500 C.E., primarily in Europe and the Near East, but also in East Asia and Africa. By considering different cultures and their visual traditions, students will be exposed to the arts as a shared human activity.
  • Students will develop vocabulary, visual acuity, descriptive and other writing skills, as well as on basic learning and study techniques as appropriate for an introductory course.

Topical Outline

  • Current: 1. Intro-Lascaux/Stonehenge 2. Near Eastern/Mesopotamia/Indian 3. Egypt 4. Minoan/Greece 5. Greece/Exam 6. Rome 7. Early Xian/Byzantine/Coptic 8. Islamic/African 9. Insular Art/Romanesque 10. Romanesque 11. Gothic 12. Chinese/Trecento 13. 15th century Northern Europe 14. 15th c Italy 15. 16th c Europe

General Education Core

CORE IV: World Languages and Global Culture
CORE IV: Humanities and the Arts

Institutional Competencies

Critical Thinking

The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.


Social Awareness & Responsibility

The capacity to understand the interdependence of people, communities, and self in a global society.



Syllabus