Corcoran Art History (CAH) | The George Washington University

Explanation of Course Numbers

Courses in the 1000s are primarily introductory undergraduate courses
Those in the 2000s to 4000s are upper-level undergraduate courses that also may be taken for graduate credit with permission and additional work assigned
Those in the 6000s and 8000s are for master’s, doctoral, and professional-level students
The 6000s are open to advanced undergraduate students with approval of the instructor and the dean or advising office

CAH 1000. Dean's Seminar. 3 Credits.

The Dean’s Seminars provide Columbian College first-year students focused scholarship on specific intellectual challenges. Topics vary by semester. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

CAH 1031. Survey of Art and Architecture I. 3 Credits.

Selective survey of painting, sculpture, architecture, and material culture in Europe, Asia and the Mediterranean before 1300 CE; theoretical, analytical and critical approach to works of art in relation to their greater historical, cultural, political, economic, and religious contexts. Includes visits to area museums.

CAH 1032. Survey of Art and Architecture II. 3 Credits.

History of art through the study of major monuments, art movements, and concepts in relation to their historical, cultural, political, economic, and religious contexts. Early Renaissance through the Baroque and modern eras. Includes visits to area museums. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 1032.

CAH 1070. The American Cinema. 3 Credits.

History and criticism of American films; recognizing and evaluating cinema techniques; and the role of films in the context of American culture. (Same as AMST 1070)

CAH 1090. Art History I: Art Now, Contemporary Perspectives in the Visual Arts. 3 Credits.

Through a focused study of artworks, exhibitions, and critical writings, students are introduced to the major ideas and issues in modern and contemporary art and design as they explore what it means to be an artist today and how the arts evolved into the diverse media landscape of the present.

CAH 1091. Art History II: Historical Perspectives in the Visual Arts. 3 Credits.

The history of art and architecture produced by cultures around the world from prehistory to the end of the nineteenth century; works of architecture, sculpture, and painting both in the process of their creation and meaning in cultural context.

CAH 1099. Variable Topics. 36 Credits.

CAH 1135. History of Spanish Art From the Golden Age to Goya. 3 Credits.

Spanish cultural history of the early modern period connecting developments in art and architecture with social, intellectual, and political history; interpretation of images through direct analysis of works of art. Offered through the GW Madrid program. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 1135.

CAH 1136. History of Spanish Art From Goya to the Present. 3 Credits.

Spanish cultural history from the 19th century to present. Connects developments in art and architecture with social, intellectual, and political history. Interpretation of images through direct analysis of works of art. Offered in GW Madrid program.

CAH 2001. Special Topics. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See department for more details. Same As: AH 2001.

CAH 2001W. Special Topics. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See Schedule of Classes for topics. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Same As: AH 2001W.

CAH 2071. Introduction to the Arts in America. 3 Credits.

Survey of American art from the period of colonial exploration and settlement to the postmodern present; political and social meanings of painting, sculpture, architecture, prints, and photographs; the relationship of art to religion and nationalism; issues of class, race, and gender. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 2071, AMST 2071.

CAH 2113. Survey of Early Islamic Art and Architecture from the Seventh to Fourteenth Centuries. 3 Credits.

Introductory survey of the visual arts and architecture in the Muslim lands from the seventh to the fourteenth centuries. Analysis of arts ranging from Spain in the west to Central Asia, Iran, and India in the east within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts.

CAH 2114. Survey of Islamic Art and Architecture from the Fourteenth Century to the Present. 3 Credits.

Introductory survey of the visual arts and architecture in the Muslim lands from the fourteenth century to the present. Analysis of arts ranging from Spain in the west to Central Asia, Iran, and India in the east within their historical, religious, and cultural contexts.

CAH 2115. Love and Body in Islamic Art. 3 Credits.

Explores the prolific tradition of figural representation related to diverse kinds of love in the pre-Modern Muslim sphere.

CAH 2145. History of European Decorative Arts. 3 Credits.

Changing styles of European furniture, textiles, ceramics, and glass in the context of general trends in art history and changing patterns in economic, technological, social, and cultural history from antiquity to the modern age.

CAH 2154. American Architecture I. 3 Credits.

Stylistic properties, form and type characteristics, technological developments, and urbanistic patterns as a means of interpreting historic meaning; analysis of buildings both as artifacts and as signifiers of social, cultural, and economic tendencies. 1600 to1860. (Same as AH 2154, AMST 2520)

CAH 2155. American Architecture II. 3 Credits.

Continuation of CAH 2154. Stylistic properties, form and type characteristics, technological developments, and urbanistic patterns as a means of interpreting historic meaning; analysis of buildings both as artifacts and as signifiers of social, cultural, and economic tendencies. 1860 to present. Recommended background: Prior completion of AMST 2520 or CAH 2154. (Same as AMST 2521, AH 2155)

CAH 2161. History of Decorative Arts: American Heritage. 3 Credits.

The decorative arts in America from the seventeenth century to the modern period; consideration of changing visual characteristics in relation to the changing American experience. Recommended background: Assumes some prior knowledge of European design styles and history, such as that covered in CAH 2145. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 2161.

CAH 2162. History of Photography. 3 Credits.

CAH 2162W. History of Photography. 3 Credits.

The historical, social, aesthetic and technological developments of the photographic medium, including its relationship to modern art and modes of visual representation and the properties that inform our understanding of photographic meaning. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 2162W.

CAH 2190. East Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the visual and material cultures of East Asia from the prehistoric to modern periods, covering the areas of contemporary China, Japan, and Korea. Same As: AH 2190.

CAH 2191. South Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Visual and material cultures of South Asia from the prehistoric to contemporary periods, covering modern Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. (Same as AH 2191)

CAH 2192. Art of Southeast Asia. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the arts of visual and material cultures of Southeast Asia covering areas of contemporary Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia, especially Java and Bali. (Same as AH 2192)

CAH 3060. History of Design. 3 Credits.

History of designed objects, images, and spaces, including products, furniture, appliances, interiors, posters and other printed materials, and the latest digital media. Influences among the design disciplines, as well as developments in materials and technologies, within their cultural, political, economic, and social contexts. Recommended for all design students.

CAH 3065. Digital Media Culture. 3 Credits.

From the early days of the telegraph, telephone, radio, television, to the Internet and beyond, the ease and speed with which information can be conveyed digitally is dramatically changing long-established business and social patterns, including how we live, work, and interact. Considering both contemporary media and older technologies as they have been transformed through digitization, this course covers the impact of the digital revolution on the creation, production, and spectatorship of new forms of visual art and design.

CAH 3099. Variable Topics. 1-36 Credits.

. Same As: AH 3099.

CAH 3101. Ancient Art of the Bronze Age and Greece. 3 Credits.

Survey of Greek art from the Minoans and Mycenaeans (c. 2000 BC) to the age of Alexander (c. 300 BC); relationships among the arts of different groups in the Aegean area and their impact on Western culture; Theran volcanic eruption, Dorian Invasion, portrayal of women, heroic nudity, and assumption of a stylistic chronology. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3101.

CAH 3102. Ancient Art of the Roman Empire. 3 Credits.

Survey of Roman art from the successors of Alexander the Great (c. 300 BC) to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West (c. 300 AD); impact of the Greek world on Roman art and culture; innovations and achievements of the Romans in architecture, portraiture, and historical narrative. Focus on the city of Rome and other areas of the Roman world such as North Africa and Asia. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3102.

CAH 3103. Art and Archaeology of Egypt and the Near East. 3 Credits.

The great artistic tradition of the Nile Valley and the contemporary civilizations (c. 3000 BC to after 1000 BC) between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates (present day Iraq). The Pyramid Age, temples at Karnak and Luxor, tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and artistic traditions of the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3103.

CAH 3104. Art and Archaeology of the Aegean Bronze Age. 3 Credits.

Excavational and multidisciplinary aspects of classical archaeology in the Bronze Age Aegean utilizing archaeology, ancient history, art history, classical studies, and anthropology; Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations (1700 to 1200 BCE). (Same as ANTH 3806)

CAH 3105. Topics in Ancient Art and Archaeology. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3105, CLAS 3115.

CAH 3105W. Topics in Ancient Art and Archaeology. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3105, CLAS 3115.

CAH 3107. Ancient Mexican Civilizations. 3 Credits.

Cultural history of pre-Columbian societies in Middle America. The emergence of Mesoamerican civilization from the earliest hunter-gatherers and first farmers to the Aztec Empire. Same As: AH 3107, ANTH 3814.

CAH 3111. Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Art of the Mediterranean world following the collapse of Roman administration. Growth of the basilica and its decoration; significance of small objects in medieval study. The rise and fall of the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire from Justinian to 1453.

CAH 3112. Proseminar in Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

The origin of Western art in the Hiberno-Saxon and Carolingian worlds and their relationship to the Ancient heritage and to the contemporary Byzantine art. Romanesque and Gothic architecture and its sculptural decoration as art historical and social phenomena. Same As: AH 3112, CAH 3112, CAH 6212.

CAH 3113. Islamic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the visual culture of the Muslim world, from Spain to India, from the seventh century to the present. Examination of artworks in their historical, religious, and cultural contexts; key points in the field's historiography. (Same as AH 3113)

CAH 3114. Art of the Book in the Medieval Muslim World. 3 Credits.

Painting and book illumination in the Islamic world, beginning with the rise of Islam in the seventh century and ending with the seventeenth century. Uses written sources and works of art and material culture to better understand the unity and diversity of the Islamic world and its complex attitude toward images. Recommended background: Prior completion of CAH 3113. (Same as AH 3114)

CAH 3116. Aztec Empire. 3 Credits.

Using archaeology, art, and ethnohistoric documents, focuses on the importance of power in Aztec society and how the normalization of violence created a form of social cohesion central to the state. Prerequisites: ANTH 1003. Credit cannot be earned for this course and ANTH 3812.

CAH 3117. Special Topics in Precolumbian Art and Archaeology. 3 Credits.

Topic vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3117, ANTH 3891.

CAH 3120. Italian Art and Architecture of the Thirteenth through Fifteenth Centuries. 3 Credits.

Origins, development, and theoretical foundations of painting, sculpture, architecture and urban form in Renaissance Italy from the early 13th to late 15th centuries. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3120, CAH 6220.

CAH 3121. Italian Art and Architecture of the Sixteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Development and theoretical foundations of painting, sculpture, architecture, and urban form in Renaissance Italy from the early fifteenth to late sixteenth centuries. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3121.

CAH 3122. Topics in Early Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3122.

CAH 3122W. Topics in Early Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topic vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3122W.

CAH 3123. Topics in Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. (Same as AH 3122)

CAH 3123W. Topics in Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

CAH 3131. Italian Art and Architecture of the Seventeenth Century. 3 Credits.

The Counter-Reformation and creation of the Baroque in painting, sculpture, and architecture in Rome (Carracci, Caravaggio, Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona), Turin (Guarini, Juvarra), and Venice (Longhena). Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3131.

CAH 3132. Topics in Northern European Art and Architecture of the Seventeenth Century. 3 Credits.

Topic vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. (Same as AH 3132)

CAH 3134. Topics in Spanish and Portuguese Art through the Sixteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3134.

CAH 3134W. Topics in Spanish and Portuguese Art Through the Sixteenth Century. 3 Credits.

The Kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula from the reconquest of Granada to the Renaissance Age of Exploration. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3134, AH 3134W.

CAH 3135. Topics in Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century Spanish and Portuguese Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

CAH 3140. European Art of the Eighteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Painting, sculpture, and architecture in France, Great Britain, and Italy. Emphasis on Watteau, Chardin, David, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Canaletto, and Tiepolo. Painting, sculpture, and architecture in France, Great Britain, and Italy. Restricted to Graduate standing. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3140.

CAH 3141. European Art of the Early Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Neoclassicism and Romanticism in the context of Western European political, social, and cultural developments. Emphasis on France, England, and Germany and the representative styles of David, Ingres, Delacroix, Turner, Constable, and Friedrich. Same As: CAH 3141W. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3141, AH 3141W.

CAH 3141W. European Art of the Early Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Neoclassicism and Romanticism in the context of Western European political, social, and cultural developments. Emphasis on France, England, and Germany and the representative styles of David, Ingres, Delacroix, Turner, Constable, and Friedrich. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Same As: CAH 3141. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3141, AH 3141W.

CAH 3142. European Art of the Late Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

CAH 3142W. European Art of the Late Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

The revolution in style of Realism, Impressionism, and Post-Impressionism in the context of Western European political, social, and cultural developments; representative styles of Courbet, Manet, Monet, Morisot, Repin, Seurat, Cezanne, Van Gogh, and Gauguin. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Same As: AH 3142, AH 3142W, CAH 3142.

CAH 3143. Early Twentieth-Century Art. 3 Credits.

CAH 3143W. Early Twentieth-Century Art. 3 Credits.

History and theory of early twentieth-century modernism in the visual arts, from origins in the late nineteenth century through Surrealism. The work of artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, Duchamp, and Mondrian. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3143, AH 3143W, CAH 3143.

CAH 3146. Modern Architecture in Europe and America. 3 Credits.

Major developments in architecture and urbanism from the Industrial Revolution to the end of the twentieth century. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3146.

CAH 3146W. Modern Architecture in Europe and America. 3 Credits.

Major developments in architecture and urbanism from the Industrial Revolution to the end of the twentieth century. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3146W, CAH 3146.

CAH 3150. Theories and History of Graphic Design. 3 Credits.

This course investigates traditional and contemporary ideas, language, and theories of graphic design. It includes a survey of the development of graphic design from 1900 until the present. Specific graphic design assignments are assigned to support certain historical lessons.

CAH 3150W. Theories and History of Graphic Design. 3 Credits.

Analysis of the history of graphic design and visual communication. How cultural factors, such as new technologies, economic shifts, and developments in art and culture, have shaped the field of graphic design.

CAH 3152. American Art in the Era of National Expansion. 3 Credits.

American art from the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 to the Spanish-American War in 1898. Emphasis on the role of art in the expansion of the United States, exploring issues of race, class, and gender; art and religion. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3152.

CAH 3153. American Art of the Twentieth Century. 3 Credits.

Twentieth-century American painting and sculpture from the turn of the century to the beginnings of postmodernism. Artists of the Stieglitz circle and later modernist movements such as abstract expressionism, pop, op, minimal, and conceptual art. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3153.

CAH 3160. Topics in Latin American Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3160.

CAH 3165. Later Twentieth-Century Art. 3 Credits.

Artists, art, and critical concepts from the later twentieth century; key movements and issues, including abstract expressionism, minimalism, conceptual art, feminism, identity politics, and the rise of globalization. Same As: AH 3165, AH 3165W, CAH 3165W.

CAH 3165W. Later Twentieth-Century Art. 3 Credits.

Artists, art, and critical concepts from the later twentieth century, focusing on key movements and issues, including abstract expressionism, minimalism, conceptual art, feminism, identity politics, and the rise of globalization. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Same As: AH 3165, AH 3165W, CAH 3165.

CAH 3170. Materials, Methods, and Techniques in Art History. 3 Credits.

Hands-on introduction to the materials, methods, and techniques of the fine arts through traditional practices and processes of manufacture including panels, canvases, grounds, pigments, and drawings and paintings from raw materials. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3170.

CAH 3181. Special Topics in Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Same As: AH 3181.

CAH 3182. Special Topics in South Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3182.

CAH 3182W. Special Topics in South Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the art, architecture, and visual culture of the Indian subcontinent from ancient to contemporary periods. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3182, AH 3182W, CAH 3182.

CAH 3240. Cultures of Photography: WWII to 2000. 3 Credits.

The nature of photography, its practices, meanings, and visual results during a critical era of rapid development of the medium; how contextual and cultural understandings have shaped the readings of images over the second half of the twentieth century. Additional work is required if taken for graduate credit.

CAH 3330. The Twentieth Century Artist Book. 3 Credits.

The historical, theoretical, and critical development of artists' books throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries within the context of movements and trends in the visual and performing arts; Arts and Crafts Movement, Russian Futurism, Surrealism, fluxus, Conceptual Art, and Postmodernism, among others. Restricted to Priority to graduate students of the Art and the Book department; open to other degree students as space is available.

CAH 3530. Art and Architecture of Washington, D.C. 3 Credits.

The art and architecture of the city of Washington, D.C. Major collections, special exhibitions, historic architecture, and the city itself. As a majority of class time is spent at various sites outside the classroom, this is a walking-intensive course. Additional work is required if taken for graduate credit.

CAH 4109. Topics in Ancient Art and Archaeology. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4109, CLAS 3115.

CAH 4119. Seminar in Medieval Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

CAH 4129. Seminar in Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

CAH 4139. Seminar in Baroque Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details.

CAH 4149. Seminar in Modern European Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

CAH 4150. Seminar in Modern Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4150, AH 4150W, CAH 4150W.

CAH 4150W. Seminar in Modern Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4150, AH 4150W, CAH 4150.

CAH 4157. Seminar in Photography. 3 Credits.

Advanced undergraduate study of photography and lens-based media. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Same As: AH 4157.

CAH 4159. Seminar in American Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Same As: CAH 4159W. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4159.

CAH 4159W. Seminar in American Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Includes a significant engagement in writing as a form of critical inquiry and scholarly expression to satisfy the WID requirement. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Same As: AH 4159W, CAH 4159. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4159.

CAH 4165. Topics in Islamic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors.

CAH 4169. Seminar in Contemporary Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See program for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Same As: AH 4169.

CAH 4179. Topics in Design History and Theory. 3 Credits.

Practical, historical, and theoretical underpinnings of designed spaces, objects, and interactions. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See department for more details.

CAH 4181. Topics in Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. See program for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Same As: AH 4181.

CAH 4182. Topics in South Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult program for more details. Restricted to juniors and seniors. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 4182.

CAH 4189. Seminar: Topics in Art History. 3 Credits.

CAH 4197. Senior Thesis. 1-4 Credits.

Students should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies by the end of their junior year regarding eligibility, selection of an area of research, and the appropriate faculty members to supervise the project. May be repeated for credit. Same As: AH 4197.

CAH 4198. Independent Study. 1-3 Credits.

Directed research and study in a specific area of art history to be approved by a faculty member. A written proposal of the plan of study and approval from the faculty member and the Director of Undergraduate Studies is required for registration. May be repeated for credit. Same As: AH 4198.

CAH 4199. Internship in Art History. 1-3 Credits.

Students gain practical experience working in an arts institution such as a museum or gallery. Advisor approval required for registration. A maximum of 3 credits may count toward the major. Restricted to Corcoran BA and BFA majors. Same As: AH 4199.

CAH 4300. Victorian Avant-Garde: British Art and Culture from 1851 to 1901. 3 Credits.

The second half of the nineteenth century was a period of extreme technological, social, and cultural upheaval. During these years, traditional ideas about art, design, literature, and journalism were challenged by new ways of thinking that seeded the ground for more radical changes in the twentieth century. The class focuses on close and critical readings of primary artworks and texts in Washington-area libraries, archives, and museums. Visits are scheduled for the Rare Book and Special Collections Department of the Library of Congress and the National Gallery of Art. Topics include: The Great Exhibition of 1851, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, the Arts and Crafts Movement, Aestheticism, and the Revival of Printing. Key figures include: John Ruskin, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Julia Margaret Cameron, Elizabeth Siddal, William Morris, W.E. Godwin, Walter Pater, J.M.W. Whistler, Aubrey Beardsley, and Oscar Wilde. Along with weekly readings and short written responses, there is one long-form seminar essay and presentation due at the conclusion of the semester, as well as a shorter theoretical essay and a mid-term exam. Same As: CAH 7300.

CAH 6201. Proseminar in Ancient Art of the Bronze Age and Greece. 3 Credits.

Greek art from the Minoans and Mycenaeans (c. 2000 BC) to the age of Alexander (c. 300 BC). Relationships among the arts of the different groups in the Aegean area and their impact on Western culture. The Theran volcanic eruption, the Dorian Invasion, the portrayal of women, heroic nudity, and the assumption of a stylistic chronology. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 3101, AH 6201.

CAH 6202. Proseminar in Ancient Art of the Roman Empire. 3 Credits.

Roman art from the successors of Alexander the Great (c. 300 BC) to the fall of the Roman Empire in the West (c. 300 AD). The impact of the Greek world on Roman art and culture; innovations and achievements of the Romans in architecture, portraiture, and historical narrative. Focus on the city of Rome and other areas of the Roman world such as North Africa and Asia. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6202, CAH 3102.

CAH 6205. Topics in Ancient Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6205.

CAH 6211. Proseminar in Early Christian and Byzantine Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Art of the Mediterranean world following the collapse of Roman administration. Growth of the basilica and its decoration; the significance of small objects in medieval study. The rise and fall of the East Roman (Byzantine) Empire from Justinian to 1453. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6211, CAH 3111.

CAH 6212. Proseminar in Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

The origin of Western art from the Hiberno-Saxon and Carolingian worlds and their relationship to the Ancient heritage. Romanesque and Gothic architecture and its sculptural decoration as social phenomena. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: CAH 3112. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6212.

CAH 6213. Islamic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

CAH 6214. Art of the Book in the Medieval Muslim World. 3 Credits.

An advanced-level introduction to the visual culture of the Muslim world, from Spain to India, from the seventh to the seventeenth century. Examination of artworks in their historical, religious, and cultural contexts; key points in the field's historiography. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6214.

CAH 6215. Seminar in Medieval Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6215.

CAH 6220. Proseminar in Italian Art and Architecture of the Thirteenth Through Fifteenth Centuries. 3 Credits.

Origins, development, and theoretical foundations of Renaissance painting, sculpture, and architecture (Giotto, Duccio, Masaccio, Donatello, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Mantegna, Bellini, Botticelli). Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6220, CAH 3120.

CAH 6221. Proseminar in Italian Art and Architecture of the Sixteenth Century. 3 Credits.

CAH 6222. Proseminar in Early Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6222, CAH 3122.

CAH 6223. Proseminar in Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

Topic vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6223.

CAH 6225. Seminar in Renaissance Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6225.

CAH 6231. Proseminar in Italian Art and Architecture of the Seventeenth Century. 3 Credits.

The Counter-Reformation and creation of the Baroque in painting, sculpture, and architecture in Rome (Carracci, Caravaggio, Bernini, Borromini, Pietro da Cortona), Turin (Guarini, Juvarra), and Venice (Longhena). Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6231, CAH 3131.

CAH 6232. Proseminar in Northern European Art and Architecture of the Seventeenth Century. 3 Credits.

CAH 6234. Proseminar in Spanish and Portuguese Art through the Sixteenth Century. 3 Credits.

The kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula from the reconquest of Granada to the Renaissance Age of Exploration. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6234.

CAH 6235. Topics in Design History and Theory. 3 Credits.

Examines practical, historical and theoretical underpinnings of designed spaces, objects, and interactions. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Restricted to This course is restricted to graduate students.

CAH 6236. Seminar in Baroque Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6235.

CAH 6240. Proseminar in European Art of the Eighteenth Century. 3 Credits.

Painting, sculpture, and architecture in France, Great Britain, and Italy. Emphasis on Watteau, Chardin, David, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Reynolds, Canaletto, and Tiepolo. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6240.

CAH 6245. Seminar in European Art of the Nineteenth Century. 3 Credits.

CAH 6246. Proseminar in Modern Architecture in Europe and America. 3 Credits.

Major developments in architecture and urbanism from the Industrial Revolution to the end of the twentieth century. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6246, CAH 3146.

CAH 6250. Seminar in Modern Art. 3 Credits.

CAH 6251. Proseminar in American Art in the Age of Revolution. 3 Credits.

American art during the eighteenth-century consumer revolution, the American War of Independence, and the early republic. The socioeconomic and political purposes of art, with focus on Enlightenment symbolism and the visualization of national identity. Prerequisite: graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6251, AMST 3151.

CAH 6252. Proseminar in American Art in the Era of National Expansion. 3 Credits.

American art from the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825 to the Spanish-American War in 1898. The role of art in the expansion of the United States, exploring issues of race, class, and gender. Art and religion. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6252, AMST 3152, CAH 3152.

CAH 6254. Seminar in American Art before 1900. 3 Credits.

CAH 6255. Seminar Studies in American Art and History. 3 Credits.

Selected problems and themes in American cultural history involving the use of artistic materials in different media. Emphasis on methodology and analytic techniques. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. (Same as AMST 6730)

CAH 6257. Seminar in Photography. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6257.

CAH 6258. Art Historiography. 3 Credits.

The development of art history as a discipline from the eighteenth century to the present. An investigation of different art historical methodologies, including formal analysis, iconological, feminist, Marxist, semiotic, and deconstructivist approaches. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6258.

CAH 6259. Textile Historiography. 3 Credits.

Critical perspectives, theories, and methodologies of the study of textiles across academic disciplines such as including anthropology, art history, gender studies, philosophy, and design disciplines. Restricted to graduate students.

CAH 6260. Seminar in African Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. See the Schedule of Classes for more details. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6260.

CAH 6261. Seminar in Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. See the Schedule of Classes for more details. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6261.

CAH 6262. Seminar in South Asian Art. 3 Credits.

Topics in the visual cultures of South Asia from a range of time periods; artworks in their historical, religious, and cultural contexts; key points in the field's historiography. Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6262.

CAH 6265. Seminar in Islamic Art and Architecture. 3 Credits.

CAH 6269. Seminar in Contemporary Art. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. See the Schedule of Classes for more details. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6269.

CAH 6270. Special Topics in Art History. 3 Credits.

Topics vary by semester. May be repeated for credit provided the topic differs. Consult the Schedule of Classes for more details. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6270.

CAH 6286. Preventive Conservation Concepts. 3 Credits.

Historical development of preventive conservation in museums, conservation ethics, team approaches to conservation, interactions of various materials with agents of deterioration. Basics of materials testing, preparation of condition reports, choosing museum storage and exhibition materials, and risk assessment. Restricted to graduate students. (Same as CMST 6203, ANTH 6203)

CAH 6287. Preventive Conservation Techniques. 3 Credits.

Practical applications of preventive conservation of materials, monitoring environmental conditions, conducting risk assessments, evaluation of exhibit and storage areas; developing plans, policies, and procedures for collections care; grant proposal preparation for collections care initiatives. Restricted to graduate students. (Same as CMST 6204, ANTH 6204)

CAH 6298. Independent Research in Art History. 3 Credits.

Directed research and study in a specific area of art history to be approved by a faculty member. A written proposal of the plan of study and approval from the faculty member and the Director of Graduate Studies are required prior to enrollment. May be repeated for credit. Restricted to graduate students. Credit cannot be earned for this course and AH 6298.

CAH 6299. Museum Internship. 3-12 Credits.

Students gain hands-on experience working in an arts institution such as a museum or gallery. Approval of the Director of Graduate Studies is required prior to enrollment. May be repeated for credit. Restricted to graduate students. Same As: AH 6299.

CAH 6400. History of Exhibitions. 3 Credits.

The exhibition is where modern and contemporary art meets the public. This course looks at the history and theory of exhibiting new art in the past 150 years, starting with the French Salon and the independent alternatives that challenged it (Courbet, the Impressionists, and Post-Impressionists), through avant-garde exhibitions (Expressionists, Dada, and Surrealists), installation art and alternative exhibition strategies, and leading to today's art fairs and biennials (Art Basel, Documenta, the Venice Biennale, the Whitney Biennial, etc.). We cover historic exhibits including the Armory Show and Hitler's Degenerate Art exhibit. Individual and group projects research specific recent exhibitions, as we consider such issues as design, audience, and critical reception. At times this course may be cross-tallied at the undergraduate level as CAH 4400. Students wishing to pursue undergraduate credit should register for the undergraduate section.

CAH 7300. Victorian Avant-Garde: British Art and Culture (1851-1901). 3 Credits.

The effects of the technological, social, and cultural upheaval of the nineteenth century on traditional ideas about art, design, literature, and journalism; the more radical changes in these media in the twentieth century. Study of primary artworks and texts in Washington-area libraries, archives, and museums. The Great Exhibition of 1851, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Arts and Crafts Movement, Aestheticism, and Revival of Printing. John Ruskin, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Julia Margaret Cameron, Elizabeth Siddal, William Morris, W.E. Godwin, Walter Pater, J.M.W. Whistler, Aubrey Beardsley, and Oscar Wilde. (Same as CAH 4300)