All upcoming World Art History Certificate: Core Courses programs

The last few decades have seen an explosion of interest in female painters, sculptors, architects, textile artists, and performance artists. Art historian Nancy G. Heller examines the progress made by women artists in Europe and the U.S. since the end of the Second World War. She discusses the relationship of art made by late 20th- and 21st-century women to the work of their male counterparts, placing it within a broader socioeconomic, political, and aesthetic context—and considers the obstacles that remain for women artists. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

Tracing the history of Western architecture is like looking back at a long trail of footprints in the sand. Each step marks a particular moment of the journey, just as architectural movements and styles mark distinct moments in Western history. By examining four historical periods in Western architecture, Rocky Ruggiero, an architectural historian and expert in Renaissance art, traces the development of architectural styles, traditions, trends, and forms beginning in the ancient world and continuing through to the present day. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

Across the centuries, there are major themes in the history of art that continue to appear and reappear. Portrayals of love, the still-life form, and the use of perspective and light and shade are a few notable examples that artists have interpreted in styles ranging from the naturalistic to surreal. Art historian Joseph Cassar examines important masterworks within selected genres and offers a new way to understand and appreciate the similarities—and the uniqueness—among artists and the cultural norms that influenced their choices. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)