All upcoming World History programs

Two thousand years ago in northern India, artisans fabricated beautiful diminutive terracotta female figurines in great abundance, sculptors carved colossal stone deities they called yakshas (male) and yakshis (female), and Buddhists began to decorate the burial mounds holding the relics of their founding teachers with exuberant narrative and symbolic sculptures. Richard Davis, a professor emeritus of religion, delves into the world of the flourishing popular religious cultures of India in the centuries from 200 B.C.E. to the year 100.

The figure of David has long captivated artists and audiences, embodying faith, heroism, and the potential of the human spirit. From the Middle Ages to the Baroque era, his image undergoes a fascinating transformation—from symbolic, stylized depictions to a dynamic, humanized hero. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo examines key works by masters such as Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini, showcasing how each reimagines David and reflects centuries of artistic innovation and cultural change. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi is one of the most creative print designers of the Edo period in Japan. He is known for his imaginative responses—including bizarre monstrous figures—to the censorship restrictions imposed by the military government. Kit Brooks, curator of Asian art at the Princeton University Art Museum, explores Kuniyoshi’s works and why they are so striking. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Saudi Arabia is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, a major player on the international stage, and the site of Islam’s two holiest cities. It is also one of the world’s few absolute monarchies. How did it become what it is today? Saudi specialist David Commins surveys the history of Saudi Arabia from oasis emirate to present-day attempts to leap to a post-petroleum economy.

Can art history be an adrenaline sport? The answer is yes when art-history professor Noah Charney guides a rapid-fire survey of sculpture. He focuses on key technical and aesthetic developments and new ways of thinking about what three-dimensional art can be. He begins with prehistoric sculpture, speeds through the centuries, and crosses the finish line with modern and contemporary works, including digital sculpture. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Shakespeare’s history plays are criticized by many today for their “unfair” or “non-historical” portrayals of some of England’s most famous figures. In a day-long seminar Tudor historian Carol Ann Lloyd-Stanger dives into the world of the Henrys, Richards, and other rulers to examine these plays’ intent; how their author used English history and his imagination to tell stories that met his political and economic goals; and the ways these works continue to affect our understanding of history.

Far from being just “Spain’s little brother,” Portugal has its own fascinating history and culture. Medievalist Paul B. Sturtevant explores the background of the country that has alternated between peripheral frontier and seat of imperial power, international pariah and tourism darling.

Attracted by the light and the beauty of the Mediterranean coast, artists including Renoir, Chagall, Matisse, Dufy, Bonnard, and Picasso settled in the French Riviera. Art historian Joseph Cassar discusses the importance of the South of France as an inspirational location for artists and surveys the major museums highlighting their works in the fabled region. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)

Artists in Britain have delved into all major genres of painting, including historical subjects, landscapes, still life, and portraiture. Art historian Bonita Billman examines the major artists and movements in British painting, the social and cultural context in which their works were created, and the pivotal roles these painters have played from the Tudor period to the present. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)

The island nation of Sri Lanka historically was vital for connecting the eastern and western networks of Indian Ocean trade. As a result, foreign ideas mixed with indigenous cultures to create vibrant traditions of art and architecture. Art historian Robert DeCaroli explores some of Sri Lanka’s most remarkable works of art, placing royal palaces, expansive Buddhist monasteries, and grand temples in their historical context and examining the paintings and sculptures that adorned these spaces. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)