Art and Art History

Students may major in art history or studio art. Majors take a set of core courses, then choose electives. Minors complete six courses in art history or studio art.

This sequence of required core courses enables students to develop skills, concepts, and critical awareness about art and society. 

ART HISTORY
The art history major familiarizes students with the visual culture of societies from prehistory to the present day; strengthening students' understanding of art and culture through the analysis and interpretation of works of art as primary evidence in relation to historical events, politics, religion, social life, and other art forms; emphasizes the development of strong critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills; teaches students a variety of scholarly art historical and archaeological methodologies; prepares students for a variety of careers, including those in the arts and archaeology, and promotes visual literacy and interdisciplinary study of a diverse array of sociopolitical and theoretical issues.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Twelve (12) courses are required, seven (7) core courses and five (5) electives. Four (4) of the required five (5) electives must be at the 300 level or higher.

Graduate programs in the History of Western Art usually require degree candidates to pass exams in French and German. Graduate programs in the field of art conservation usually require applicants to have taken college-level chemistry through organic and have a strong studio art background (some also require reading proficiency in French and/or German). Students planning to attend graduate school are strongly encouraged to complete ARH 499 Senior Thesis.

In addition to art history courses, elective credit may be awarded for PHI 212 Philosophy of the Arts (see below) and for art history internships with an added research component that are completed under the supervision of an art history professor.  Elective credit my also be awarded for selected studio art and classical studies courses.

CORE COURSES

• ARH 201 Introduction to Art History I
• ARH 202 Introduction to Art History II
• ART 110 Two-Dimensional (2D) Foundations OR ART 221 Drawing and Composition
• One (1) course in Ancient/Medieval Art
• One (1) course in Renaissance/Baroque Art
• One (1) course in Modern Art (1800-present)
• ARH 450 Art History Capstone Seminar

ELECTIVES

• ARH 101 Introduction to Visual Culture
• ARH 203 History of Western Architecture
• ARH 218 Art and Archaeology of Egypt and the Near East
• ARH 220 Castles and Cathedrals - Medieval Art
• ARH 231 Northern Renaissance Art
• ARH 240 Baroque and Rococo Art
• ARH 250 Modern European Art
• ARH 360 Women in Art
• ARH 361 History of Photography
• ARH 362 History and Theory of Museums
• ARH 315 Special Studies - Ancient Art
• ARH 325 Special Studies - Medieval Art
• ARH 335 Special Studies - Renaissance Art
• ARH 355 Special Studies - Modern European Art
• ARH 365 Special Studies - Modern American Art
• ARH 424 Contemporary Art and Theory
• ARH 499 Senior Thesis
• PHI 212 Philosophy of the Arts

MINOR REQUIREMENTS
The art history minor familiarizes students with the visual culture of societies from prehistory to the present day, strengthening students' understanding of art and culture through the analysis and interpretation of works of art as primary evidence in relation to historical events, politics, religion, social life, and other art forms. The minor teaches students a variety of scholarly art historical and archaeological methodologies; emphasizes the development of strong critical thinking, writing, and presentation skills; and promotes visual literacy and interdisciplinary study of a diverse array of sociopolitical and theoretical issues. The minor also supports and adds valuable knowledge and skills to majors such as studio art, history, philosophy, critical media and cultural studies, English, modern languages, and classical studies.

Six (6) courses are required: ARH 201, ARH 202, one (1) course in Ancient/Medieval Art, one (1) course in Renaissance/Baroque Art, one (1) course in Modern Art (1800-present), and one (1) ARH designated elective course at the 300 level or higher.

STUDIO ART
The studio art major includes a core of foundation courses that introduce students to the fundamental concerns of the art making process. Advanced level courses build upon this foundation and provide each student the opportunity to create individualized programs that reflect his/her interests. Through both practice and theory, developing artists refine their skills and techniques, expand their creative and imaginative capacity, and develop critical and analytical judgment. The major culminates in a senior-year group art exhibition at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. The rigorous process involved in preparing for a professional-level exhibition provides students with the practice necessary to be working artists while also preparing them for advanced study at the graduate school level.

 Students declaring a studio major should contact their advisor or the Art and Art History Department chair (in cases where an advisor belongs to another department) to discuss course sequencing and to complete the degree-planning sheet.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS
Twelve (12) courses and a Junior Year Portfolio Review with the academic advisor are required. 

CORE COURSES

• ARH 201 Introduction to Art History I
• ARH 202 Introduction to Art History II
• ARH 424 Contemporary Art and Theory
• ART 110 Two-Dimensional (2D) Foundations
• ART 120 Three-Dimensional (3D) Foundations
• ART 221 Drawing and Composition
• ART 440 Senior Studio
• ART 450 Senior Seminar

ELECTIVES
Two (2) intermediate studio courses at the 200 level or above, and two (2) advanced studio courses at the 300 level or above. At least one elective must be an approved Digital Media Course (see below for list).

MINOR REQUIREMENTS
Six (6) courses are required: ARH 201 or ARH 202, ART 110, ART 120, one (1) intermediate studio elective, and two (2) advanced studio courses at the 300 level or above. At least one elective must be an approved Digital Media Course (see below for list).

DIGITAL MEDIA COURSES

• ART 130 Introduction to Digital Media
• ART 210 Introduction to Video Art
• ART 223 Graphic Design I
• ART 300 Photography II
• ART 323 Graphic Design II
• ART 392 Digital and Mixed Media Printmaking

Course of Study 

ART HISTORY 

ARH 101 Introduction to Visual Culture: Introduces a wide variety of Western art forms in their aesthetic, cultural, and theoretical contexts.  Visual material includes traditional art forms as well as popular culture. 

ARH 201/202 Introduction to Art History I and II: Outlines history of visual art, architecture, sculpture, and painting: Western art from ancient times through Middle Ages in fall and visual arts from Italian Renaissance to present in spring. 

ARH 203 History of Western Architecture: Traces the history of architecture in Western Europe and the United States from antiquity to postmodernity, emphasizing the relationship between form and function, and the impact of social, political, and religious forces on the evolution of built environments across time.

ARH 218 Art and Archaeology of Egypt and the Near East: Overview of the major art historical and architectural monuments of ancient Egypt and the Near East. Themes include artistic canons, pyramids, royal art, art of daily life and death, temple and tomb architecture. Legacy to the art of classical Greece noted throughout. 

ARH 219 Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece and Rome: Survey of the art-historical and architectural monuments from Bronze Age Greece to the late Roman Empire. Topics include representation of the human figure and narrative in art, development of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian architecture, urban planning, Roman portraiture, architecture, and painting, and the late antique style. 

ARH 220 Castles and Cathedrals - Medieval Art: Covers architecture, sculpture, painting, and minor arts, c. 300-1300, including decline of classical art, emergence of early Christian and Byzantine art, and relationship between arts of East and West. Examines development of Romanesque and Gothic styles as symbols of human life, belief, and ideas. 

ARH 230 Italian Renaissance Art: Focuses on art and architecture in Italy from 1400-1530, with attention to social influences on the subject and style of the artists and with emphasis on Leonardo, Raphael, and Michelangelo. 

ARH 231 Northern Renaissance Art: Follows evolution of painting techniques and styles during 15^th and 16^th centuries north of the Alps. Touches upon iconography and analogies between visual arts and contemporary humanist ideas. 

ARH 240 Baroque and Rococo Art: Pursues 17^th-century Baroque style in Italy, Holland, Flanders, France, England, and Spain, from Renaissance and Mannerist sources, though termination in 18^th-century Rococo style, c. 1750. 

ARH 250 Modern European Art: Overview of the major artistic movements and theories of 19^th-century Europe, primarily France, Great Britain, and Germany. Movements include Neoclassicism, Romanticism, the Pre-Raphaelites, Impressionism, and Symbolism. Examines the emergence of photography. Situates the arts in their social and political contexts. 

ARH 260 Modern American Art: Overview of the major artistic movements and theories in art of 20^th-century United States, including abstraction, cubism, abstract expressionism, and pop art, as well as the emergence of new art categories and media, such as environmental art. Examines artistic expression in the context of the century's social and political upheavals. 

ARH 315 Special Studies - Ancient Art: Focused studies in specific areas of ancient art and archaeology. Topics vary, but include Art and Archaeology of Pompeii and Roman Daily Life, Art and Archaeology of the Holy Land, and Power, Propaganda, and Empire: Art and Architecture of the Roman Provinces. Courses focus on recent problems or issues in the field, expose students to a variety of art historical and archaeological methods used to address those problems, and introduce students to research methods and tools required to conduct significant research projects within the discipline of ancient art and archaeology. May be repeated for credit where there is not topical overlap. 

ARH 325 Special Studies - Medieval Art: Focused studies in specific areas of Medieval art from the conversion of Constantine to 1453. Topics vary, but include Gothic Architecture, Manuscript Illumination in the Middle Ages, and the Art of the Crusades. Courses focus on recent problems or issues in the field, expose students to a variety of art historical methods used to address those problems, and introduce students to research methods and tools required to conduct significant research projects within the discipline of Medieval art history. May be repeated for credit where there is not topical overlap. 

ARH 335 Special Studies - Renaissance Art: Focused studies in specific areas of Renaissance art. Topics vary, but include The Age of Michelangelo, Art of Renaissance Florence, and Medici Madness. Courses focus on recent problems or issues in the field, expose students to a variety of art historical methods used to address those problems, and introduce students to research methods and tools required to conduct significant research projects within the discipline of Renaissance art history. May be repeated for credit where there is not topical overlap. 

ARH 355 Special Studies - Modern European Art: Focused studies in specific areas of European art from 1789 to World War II. Topics vary, but include Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, Art of Revolution, and Dada and Surrealism. All courses focus on recent problems or issues in the field, expose students to a variety of art historical methods used to address those problems, and introduce students to research methods and tools required to conduct significant research projects within the discipline of modern art history. May be repeated for credit where there is not topical overlap. 

ARH 360 Women in Art: Examines the roles of women artists in Western art from the Renaissance to the present, focusing on how cultural conditions determined women's artistic production. Also addresses how women are portrayed in the arts, ranging from painting to contemporary mass media. Prerequisite: sophomore standing or consent. 

ARH 361 History of Photography: Introduces students to the major contributors, movements, and technologies of photographic history. Primary focus on cultural, social, aesthetic, and commercial implications of photography concurrent with its invention and development through the present day. The photograph, as document and as aesthetic object, is analyzed through contemporary criticism, historical writing, and illustrated lectures. 

ARH 362 History and Theory of Museums: Explores a wide variety of museums, the issues and problems they face, their contributions to society, and our relationship to them as visitor, staff member, or benefactor. Topics include: defining museums; what, how, and why museums collect; legal and ethical issues of collection; role of museums in society; and personal relationships to community museums. 

ARH 365 Special Studies - Modern American Art: Focused studies in specific areas of American art from 1900-1960. Topics vary, but include Pop Art, Culture Wars, Abstraction from O'Keefe to Pollock, and Primitivism.  All courses focus on recent problems or issues in the field, expose students to a variety of art historical methods used to address those problems, and introduce students to research methods and tools required to conduct significant research projects within the discipline of modern American art.  May be repeated for credit where there is not topical overlap. 

ARH 424 Contemporary Art and Theory: An examination of postmodern art and theory (1960–present) beginning with fine art’s appropriation of popular culture in the 1960s and culminating with today’s pluralistic range of traditional to virtual media. Themes include temporary art forms, constructions of national, ethnic, and gender identity in a post-colonial world, and recent arts controversies and censorship issues. Prerequisite: sophomore standing. 

ARH 450 Art History Capstone Seminar: Addresses the history and theories of art history, focusing on either ancient, early modern, modern, or non-Western art history. Required for ARH seniors; open to ARH juniors. Prerequisites: ARH 201 and ARH 202.

STUDIO ART 

ART 110 Two-Dimensional (2D) Foundations: Introduces students to various methods and concepts in the visual arts practice. Projects incorporate drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, and basic color theory. Required first course for studio art majors and minors. Appropriate for nonmajors who wish to explore various media and basic visual art concepts.

ART 120 Three-Dimensional (3D) Foundations: Introduces fundamentals of three-dimensional (3D) design with an emphasis on spatial awareness, problem solving, and the development of ideas related to traditional and non-traditional approaches to making art. Readings, discussions, and group critiques complement the studio work. Suitable for majors and nonmajors.

ART 130 Introduction to Digital Media: Introduces students to digital workflow as it relates to the studio art process. Students will work with Adobe® Photoshop® and various web design, video editing, and blog applications to create studio projects addressing aesthetic, formal and conceptual issues. Suitable for majors and nonmajors. Continuous access to a digital camera is required.

ART 210 Introduction to Video Art: Introduces the medium of digital video with primary focus on locating video art in contemporary fine arts contexts, as opposed to and/or in contrast with broadcast media. Discusses the medium's history alongside the larger categories of other time- and lens-based media such as film and photography, and covers concepts and theories related to these media. Basic image capture and editing techniques taught using industry standard software. Suitable for majors and highly motivated nonmajors. Prerequisite: ART 130 or ART 293 or consent.

ART 215 Artist’s Book: Concepts and Practice: Examination of the book as an art object. Develops basic bookbinding, typesetting, and printing skills through individual and collaborative studio projects. Suitable for majors or nonmajors. 

ART 221 Drawing and Composition: Develops basic drawing skills with an emphasis on principles of composition, proportions, linear perspective, and perception of form in space. Uses a variety of drawing materials, both traditional and contemporary. Experiential studio learning experiences with formal and informal critique sessions. Required for majors, but suitable for nonmajors.

ART 222 Introduction to Design: Explores visual communication through basic design elements and principles with an emphasis on the process of creative problem solving, idea generation, development, and refinement of designs that develop perceptual skills, and critical judgment. Studio work, individual and group critiques, and individual research using traditional media with a side-project crossover to digital media. Suitable for majors and nonmajors.

ART 223 Graphic Design I: Presents basic concepts and techniques associated with computer-based design. Builds upon concepts covered in ART 222 Introduction to Design with similar emphasis placed on the process of creative problem solving, research, and idea generation.  Students will develop technical skills in this primarily computer based course using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator commercial software applications.

ART 230 Introduction to Digital Media. Introduces students to digital workflow related to the studio art process.  Students will work with Photoshop, and various web design, video editing, and blog applications to create studio projects addressing aesthetic, formal, and conceptual issues.  Suitable for majors and nonmajors.  Continuous access to a digital camera required.

ART 232/332 Special Studies in Painting and Drawing: Fosters technical improvement and critical thinking among intermediate and advanced painters and drawers. Studio work, individual and group critiques, and individual research. Prerequisite: ART 221 or consent. 

ART 233/333 Special Studies in Sculpture: In-depth investigation of themes, trends, and/or processes specific and pertinent to contemporary sculpture. Topics vary. Substantial reading and discussions complement the studio work. Attention paid throughout the course to understanding and articulating form in space and to helping students develop personal ways of working alongside, and in response to, current issues in contemporary sculpture. Prerequisite: ART 120 or consent.

ART 234/334 Special Studies in Photography: Focuses on topics relevant to both the contemporary and historical discourse surrounding the medium of photography and, at times, other lens-based media. Seminar style course with heavy emphasis on relating assigned readings, lectures, and discussions to students' studio work. Suitable for majors and highly motivated nonmajors. Prerequisite: ART 293 or consent.

ART 241 Sculpture I: Explores the range of what sculpture might be and investigates creative approaches to perception, making, and critical analysis. Assignments expose students to both traditional and contemporary concepts, methods, and techniques particular to the medium of sculpture. Readings, discussions, and group critiques complement studio work. Prerequisite: ART 120 or consent.

ART 243/343 Human Figure Drawing: Challenges intermediate and advanced students to incorporate human figures into artwork. Stresses studio exercises, such as gesture drawings and in-depth anatomical studies, as well as individual and group critiques, and discussions with individual research. Prerequisites: ART 110, ART 221, or consent. 

ART 251 Painting I: Introduces the basics of oil and/or acrylic painting techniques while encouraging development of compositional and conceptual language of intermediate students. Intensive studio work, individual and group critiques, and individual research. Prerequisite: ART 110 or ART 221 or consent. 

ART 272 Relief Printing: Introduces intermediate level relief printing techniques such as letterpress printing, multiple color linoleum printing, and collagraph. Suitable for majors or nonmajors. Prerequisites: ART 110, ART 221, or ART 222. 

ART 293 Photography I: Introduces techniques, processes, and creative possibilities of black and white photography, and traditional darkroom printing. Considers aesthetic and stylistic issues and emphasizes conceptual concerns particular to the medium’s history. Suitable for majors and nonmajors. Continuous access to a manually adjustable 35mm camera required.

ART 300 Photography II: Introduces students to the digital darkroom through work with digital cameras and/or scanned negatives, Adobe® Photoshop®, and Epson® inkjet printers.  Conceptual concerns of contemporary photography considered through engagement with critical theory via assigned readings and class discussions. Prerequisite: ART 293. Continuous access to a digital or film camera required. 

ART 323 Graphic Design II: Intermediate graphic design course stressing creative problem solving as applied to single and multiple page layout, as well as typography and website design.  Strengthens students' graphic design portfolios while introducing Adobe® InDesign® and world wide web development software. Prerequisites: ART 222 and ART 223. 

ART 342 Sculpture II: Provides further investigation into the history of making and thinking in sculpture and raises questions pertinent to contemporary art. Explores new techniques and materials while honing familiar skills. Designed to help students become self-directed in their work. Group discussion of student projects, readings, slides, and video addressing current art practice are core to the class. Regular individual and group critiques monitor the progress of each independent project. Prerequisite: ART 241 or consent. 

ART 351 Painting II: Probes problems presented in Painting I. Features studio work, individual and group critiques, and individual research. Prerequisite: ART 251. 

ART 366F Field Study: Making Art in Scotland: Two-week field study trip to Edinburgh, Scotland, led by Rollins studio art faculty during the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Students choose and complete two art classes offered by Edinburgh College of Art.

ART 372 Lithographic Printmaking: Introduces the printmaking technique of lithography through both traditional and contemporary approaches. Utilizes design and drawing skills to build a unified body of work. Prerequisites: ART 110, ART 120 or ART 130 and any 200- or 300-level studio art elective.

ART 380F Art in the City with Field Study: A first-hand look into the masterpieces of modern and contemporary art and artists in New York City. Students visit institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Modern Art, as well as galleries not seen anywhere else. Students produce artwork that responds to their experiences.

ART 391 Screen Printing: Students create portfolio based on an over-arching concept and create multi-layered images using drawing fluid, photo emulsion, autographic positives and photography. Prerequisites: ART 110 or ART 120 or ART 215 or ART 222 or ART 230 or ART 293. 

ART 392 Digital and Mixed Media Printmaking: Reinforces the concept of printmaking through integration of traditional and non-traditional processes and tools. Mixed media projects develop students' visual design skills through integration of Adobe® Photoshop®, traditional intaglio techniques, and lithographic printmaking. Suggested for majors, but suitable for nonmajors. Basic knowledge of Adobe® Photoshop® is required. Prerequisites: ART 110, ART 120, or ART 130. 

ART 440 Senior Studio: Concentrated, advanced study in art concepts and mediums. Students produce a unified body of work for display during the ART 450 Senior Seminar. Required course for studio art majors in fall of the senior year and for minors who wish to participate in the Senior Exhibition. Students must submit a portfolio for faculty review in the spring of the junior year to be admitted to this course in fall of the senior year. 

ART 450 Senior Seminar: Addresses career issues and helps students gain practical skills necessary for careers in the arts. Students learn discipline-specific resume writing, compose artist’s statements, create an artist's web site, and photographically document and prepare their work for exhibition. Students take part in Senior Exhibition and gain design and curatorial experience by assisting Cornell Fine Arts Museum staff in preparing and hanging of the exhibition. Required of majors in their final spring semester at Rollins and of minors who wish to participate in the Senior Exhibition. Prerequisite: ART 440.