Art Department

Introduction to Visual Culture & Cultural Studies with Writing Lab

This introductory course explores visual representations across cultures and various media from prehistory to the present. Emphasis is placed on postmodern forms of visual communication, which include advertisements, film, YouTube, the Internet, fashion, music videos, posters, and other visual forms of communication. Situating the visual contextually requires investigation into other forms of cultural constructs, and may include study of ideology, commerce, power, religion, diaspora, gender and sexuality, politics, space of production, and memory.

Survey of Art History I with Writing Lab

This course follows the historical development of visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms) produced by European, North African, and Middle Eastern peoples from prehistory to ca. 1300. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. Among the cultures covered are: Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Persian, Greek, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, and Islamic.

Introduction to Ancient Art of the Mediterranean

This course follows the historical development of visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms) produced by European, North African, and peoples in the ancient world. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. Among the cultures covered are: Egyptian, Minoan, Mycenaean, Greek, and Roman.

Introduction to Medieval Art of Europe

This course surveys art and architecture of Western Europe from the Early Christian period to the beginnings of the Renaissance. The monumental arts and the diverse minor arts of the Middle Ages are presented within the social, religious, and political frameworks of lands as varied as France and Denmark, Spain and Turkey. Stylistic and iconographic issues and themes are thoroughly addressed with attention paid to aesthetic and social contexts.

Survey of Art History II with Writing Lab

This course follows the historical development of visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms) produced in Europe and United States from ca. 1300 to the present. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. The following styles are covered: Late Gothic, International, Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Modern, and Contemporary.

Introduction to Renaissance through Rococo Art

This course follows the historical development of visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms) produced in Europe from ca. 1300 to ca. 1800. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. The following styles are covered: Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, and Rococo.

Introduction to Modern Art

This course is an examination of Western art and its relationship to social, political, and economic aspects of modern society, beginning with the French Revolution and ending with the outbreak of World War II. The influence of the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, cross-cultural influences of Western and non-Western cultures, artistic response to new intellectual trends and disciplines, innovations in technology, the impact of first World War, various stylistic movements, as well as methodological approaches to analysis of the subject are considered.

Survey of Asian Art with Writing Lab

This introductory survey course follows the development of Asian visual cultures, primarily India, China, and Japan. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. Religious and philosophical influences on art and architecture; as well as, the interchange of cultural influence and artistic expression, are considered. The following major systems of belief and their impact on artistic production are covered: Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Confucianism, Taoism, Shinto, Islam, and Sikhism.

Introduction to Asian Art: East and the Pacific

This course follows the historical development of visual culture from East Asia and the Pacific (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms), from prehistory to the present. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context, with emphasis on China, Korea, Japan, and Australia, while including areas of North Asia, such as Mongolia, and the Pacific, like Papua New Guinea, Easter Island, and Hawai'i.

Introduction to Asian Art: South, Southeast, and Ancient Western Asia

This course follows the historical development of ancient West, South, and Southeast Asian visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms), from prehistory to the present. Art is discussed in its historical and cultural contexts, with emphasis on the art of India, and cultural exchange extending west to Mesopotamia, and southeast to Indonesia, including Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh, and other indigenous visual traditions.

Introduction to Islamic Art

This course follows the global historical development of Islamic visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms). Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context.

Survey of the Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Ancient America with Writing Lab

This introductory survey course follows the development of the visual arts of Africa, the Pacific, and America (with an emphasis on the period before European contact). Art is discussed in its historical and cultural context. Deconstruction of the historiography of these peoples, and critical analysis of methods of display used in exhibiting the visual culture produced, is central to this course.

Introduction to African Art

This course examines the history and appreciation of the arts of Africa and the African Diaspora, the continent of Africa within historical, cultural, religious, socio-political, and aesthetic contexts, the impact of African art in Europe and the Americas, and contemporary African art.

Introduction to Latin American Art

This course is a survey of the art and architecture of Latin America, beginning with Pre-Columbian period but focusing primarily on the 19th to 21st centuries. This course examines the major historical periods of Latin American history and visual culture. These periods include an introduction to pre-Hispanic civilizations, Colonial rule and Independence, the emergence of Modernism and the Avant-garde, and contemporary art and architecture in Latin America. This course will examine the social, economic, political and religious context of the production and use of the works of art considered.

Introduction to American Art

This course is an introductory survey of American Art from its pre-Colonial past to the contemporary era with a focus on the social, political, economic, and philosophical conditions that have resulted in a culturally diverse artistic tradition. The contributions and influences of immigrants, Native Americans, Chicano Americans, Latin Americans, and European Americans are studied in relation to historical contexts.

Introduction to California Art and Architecture with Lab (for on-site visits)

This course is an introduction to art in California, with emphasis on the Los Angeles area.

Introduction to Global Contemporary Art with an 1-hour Lab on the Art Market

This course considers thematic and historical developments of Contemporary visual art (including painting, sculpture, architecture, new media, and other forms), produced by the global community.

History of Women and Art

This introductory course surveys the history of women's contributions to the development of visual arts, with emphasis on the Western world from the Renaissance to the present. Students discuss art in its socio-political context, focusing on factors that impacted the role of women in patronage and production. They investigate methodological approaches, master art historical vocabulary, perform close visual analyses and discuss the representation of women in visual culture.

Current Art Events and Exhibitions

Current art exhibits in the greater Los Angeles area are visited, and discussed, taking into consideration the historical context of the selected works displayed. Discussion of these activities may include guest artists and faculty. Exploration of concept and themes concerning art and cultural institution governing and the practice of art may also be considered. Exhibitions at the following institutions may be included: The Getty Center, the Getty Villa, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Hammer Museum, the Fowler Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Huntington Museum, the Pacific Asia Museum, the Skirball Museum, the Museum of African Art, the Pasadena California Art Museum, the Autry Museum, and the Vincent Price Art Museum. Galleries, artist studios, and other art-related events in and around the Los Angeles area may be included.

Introduction to Museum Studies and Gallery Practices

This is an introductory course about Museum Studies and Gallery Practices including, but not limited to, the history and philosophy of museums; the social, economic, and political trends that shape museums; the staffing, management, and financing of museums; and the multiple functions of museums, such as the collection and care of objects, exhibition design and interpretation, education programs, research activities, library collections, and pub- lic relations. The course also includes curatorial strategies, exhibition design, proper handling of artworks and their installation, gallery preparation and maintenance, gallery lighting, production and distribution of press releases, announcements, exhibitions lists, and related gallery literature. Students personally engage with museum professionals, including: Department directors, curators, registrar, conservators, collection managers, educators, exhibit designers, and art preparation staff.

Visual Cultural Studies Museum Internship

This course is a faculty mentored independent study in visual cultural studies at a participating museum. Participating institutions should commit to a visual cultural studies approach to education, curation, management, and public service. This course requires lab hours on site and the sponsorship of a research project or paper with a ELAC faculty mentor. Internships and areas of research may include, but are not limited to: Communications and Marketing; Research; Education; Curation; Design; Conservation and Restoration; Registrar; Management; Development; History and Theory of Museums; In-depth study on an area of specialization relating to the museum’s mission.