ARTHC 353

American Art and Architecture: 1876 to 1960

Students will acquire a solid foundation in the historical context of the art and architecture of the United States of America from 1876 to ca. 1960. Through a socio-historical approach students will gain an understanding of the ways in which events like the growth of American industry and culture, the rise of Socialism and Communism, WWI and American Isolationism, Regionalism, and WWII shaped and were shaped by the visual arts. Students will also be able to articulate the characteristics of the styles, processes, ideologies, and philosophies of key artists and movements, including Realism, Aestheticism, Pictorialism, Dada, Regionalism (including the Harlem Renaissance), Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art as they pertain to American art. Students will become conversant with selected works of art in terms of style, patronage, reception, and meaning of individual works of art and the artists or movements that spawned them. They will be able to trace the trajectory of future influence of key works of art from this period.

Art Research and Writing

Students will develop art historical research skills by conducting advanced research focused on a single work of art, artist, or historical concept within this period. Students will apply methodological approaches acquired in ArtHC 300 to their topic. Students will situate their informed, original ideas within the best art historical publications on their subject. Students will demonstrate familiarity with advanced research skills and best research practices as taught by the course professor and supported the HBLL Art History research guides. Students will apply the formatting of an acceptable style guide with exactness to the completed research paper.  

Original Research

Students will acquire a more detailed knowledge of a particular monument and/or architect and/or architectural theory of the period, through the research and writing of a term paper.

Architects

Students will become familiar with the contributions of individual architects of the period.

Colonial to Civil War

Students will acquire a basic understanding of the development of American architecture from the seventeenth century to the mid-nineteenth century.

Analysis

Students will improve research, writing and analytical skills in architectural history.