What is art? Why is it created? What is its meaning? These are some of the questions we will ponder in this class. This course serves as an introduction to art, with an emphasis on visual literacy and historical context. We will explore major works of art and architecture, drawn from a wide range of world cultures and periods, from ancient times to the present.

What is art? Why does it matter? This course presents a general global view of art history through slide lectures, class discussions, video resources and a museum visit. It selectively surveys the visual arts, beginning with the first objects created by prehistoric humans around 20,000 years ago and ending with the art and architecture of today, covering concurrent historical periods in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Using art from diverse cultures and time periods, we will explore the way that art functions within broader societal trends and ideas, both reacting to and influencing major historical moments.

You will become comfortable with speaking and writing about specific art historical styles, issues and key terms, and be able to approach art in both a formal/visual and historic context. You will also learn how to navigate and explore your own specific interests within the history of art and become aware of resources that will guide you to further your own academic pursuit

Entails exploration of a variety of methodological approaches to object-based learning within a museum setting. Our goal is the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of methods in museum education.

All art is political in the sense that all art takes place in the public arena and engages with an already existing ideology. Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, offers an important contemporary example. The news that Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been detained by authorities has prompted significant concern. Ai Weiwei has ben arrested by the Chinese authorities.

This art history video examines the "Alexander Mosaic" c. 100 B.C.E., tessera mosaic from the House of the Faun, Pompeii. This Roman floor mosaic may be based on a lost Hellenistic painting by Philoxenos of Eretria, The Battle of Issus, c. 315 B.C.E.). Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.

This art history video discussion examines Washington Allston's "Elijah in the Desert", 1818, oil on canvas, 125.09 x 184.78 cm / 49 1/4 x 72 3/4 inches (Museum of Fine Arts, Boston).

In this art history video discussion Beth Harris and Steven Zucker examine Albrecht Altdorfer's "The Battle of Issus," 1529, oil on panel. Alte Pinokothek, Munich.

This art history video discussion examines a project between Khan Academy and Rome Reborn - with Dr. Bernard Frischer.

This art history video discussion examines Andrea Mantegna's "Camera degli Sposi" (Frescos in the ducal palace, Mantua), 1465-74.

This art history video discussion examines Antoine or Louis Le Nain's "Peasant Family in an Interior", 2nd quarter of the 17th century, oil on canvas (Musee du Louvre, Paris).

This art history video discussion examines Apollonius' "Boxer at Rest", c. 100 B.C.E., bronze, Palazzo Massimo, Museo Nazionale Romano, Rome.

This art history video discussion examines the Arch of Constantine, 315 C.E., Rome.

This art history video discussion examines the Arch of Titus, originally Pentelic marble, early 19h-century restoration is in travertine, c. 81 C.E. (Via Sacra, Rome).

In this art history video Beth Harris and Steven Zucker discuss Paul Troost's House of (German) Art (1933-37) in relation to the Great Exhibition of German Art and the Entartete Kunst (Degenerate Art) Exhibitions of 1937 in Munich.

The House of German Art now exhibits international contemporary art in direct opposition to original National Socialist intent.

The visual narratives and abstractions of this preeminent African American artist explore the places where he lived and worked: the rural South, Pittsburgh, Harlem, and the Caribbean. Bearden's central themesŃreligion, jazz and blues, history, literature, and the realities of black lifeŃendured throughout his remarkable career in watercolors, oils, and especially collages and photomontages from the 1940s through the 1980s.

This art history video discussion examines these portraits by August Sander: "Pastry Cook", gelatin silver print, 1928, "Secretary at a Radio Station", Cologne, gelatin silver print, c. 1931, and "Disabled Man", gelatin silver print, 1926.

Since we live in an urban environment with many trees, shrubs, and flower plantings this course is designed so that each student will always be able to walk down the street and have some familiarity with their environs. To that end, each student will learn to identify approximately 50-60 trees and shrubs and know them by their common name, scientific name and family, as well as some annuals and perennials commonly used as bedding plants. Students will learn some basic the botanical concepts, which are used in, plant identification, such as botanical structural features used in phylogeny and taxonomy of plants. In addition to this, students will get an overview of the ecological and economic aspects specific to urban botany.

Entrepreneurship has become a major source of economic growth and job creation in the United States. As the number of small businesses increases in the U.S. economy, so does the need to prepare students in entrepreneurship. This course provides students with the knowledge and skills to effectively start, operate, and develop a business venture or a non-profit organization.

In this art history video discussion Beth Harris and Steven Zucker consider the Barberini Faun, c. 220 B.C.E. (Glyptothek, Munich).