All upcoming World Art History Certificate: Core Courses programs

Many of the most beautiful buildings of the last 600 years have been erected in Asia, which is also known for its boldly modern cities. Kathleen James-Chakraborty, a professor of art history and architectural historian at University College Dublin, looks across the continent from Iran to Japan at both historic and contemporary buildings. She also highlights the important contributions that women have made as patrons and designers of innovative architecture. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

Islamic art and architecture are both distinctive and varied. Art historian Sean Roberts provides an overview of the historical and societal contexts in which this tradition developed. The narrative covers 14 centuries and spans from the central Islamic lands across the globe. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

As the Impressionist movement evolved, it became a symbol of modern art and began to transcend national boundaries. Today, the development and practice of Impressionism is seen less as a uniquely French movement and instead as a major influence on the world’s visual culture. In a 4-session series, art historian Joseph Paul Cassar surveys its influence in Russia, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Great Britain. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)

Strategically located for trade, rich in resources, and containing a variety of cultural traditions, the civilizations of mainland and island Southeast Asia are among the most dynamic in the world. Art historian Robert DeCaroli examines the cultural and artistic traditions of ancient Southeast Asia from the earliest archaeological evidence to the onset of colonialism, with a focus on the royal arts of the great civilizations that arose within the borders of modern Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma (Myanmar), and Thailand. (World Art History Certificate core course, 1 credit)