Brad Hostetler

This course surveys Western art and architecture from the Paleolithic era to the end of the Middle Ages. Training in visual analysis is emphasized, as are the historical context, religious beliefs and social conditions in which the artwork was produced. This is primarily a lecture class, though discussion is encouraged. Requirements include examinations and short papers. This counts toward the 100-level course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.

This introductory course surveys the history of Islamic art and architecture between the 7th and 16th centuries. Students explore the rich visual and artistic traditions that developed and thrived under the caliphates and dynasties that ruled medieval Spain, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. They will investigate thematic issues central to the discipline of Islamic art history, including the function of ornament, the development of calligraphy in visual culture, the adoption and abstention of figural representation, and the impact of Orientalism. A diverse array of artistic media and techniques is examined, including painting, sculpture, textiles, manuscripts and architecture. Students also are introduced to art-historical research strategies, and methods for writing about art. This counts toward the 100-level course requirement, Africa and Middle East place and 600-1800 time requirements for the major. No prerequisite.

This course examines the art and architecture of Greece from Bronze Age Crete and Mycenaean palaces of the mainland to the historical age of Greece and the extended Greek cultures of southern Italy and the Hellenistic world. Special attention will be given to the development of Greek standards of beauty and the role of beauty in Greek culture. The format is lecture and discussion. This counts toward the Europe and Americas place and the before 600 CE time requirements for the major. Offered every other year. Any art history or classics course is recommended.

This course explores the art and architecture of the Eastern Roman Empire, or Byzantium, from the founding of its capital, Constantinople, in 330 to the fall of the city in 1453. Following a chronological approach, the course introduces students to the continuation and adaptation of long-established Roman ceremonial, iconographic and architectural forms to serve a new, specifically Christian empire. Students trace the transmission of artistic ideas, forms and objects across cultural, geographic and religious borders, and examine the ways in which trade, war and diplomacy impacted Byzantine art. This counts toward the Europe and Americas place and the 600-1800 time requirements for the major. Prerequisite: any 100- or 200-level ARHS course.

This course is offered on the Kenyon-Rome program. This course provides an overview of the history, culture and art of Rome from antiquity to the 18th century, with some forays into modern Rome. Classroom instruction complements visits to different sites in the city of Rome and its environs, Florence, Naples and Pompeii. Guest lectures focus on specific issues in ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and modern art and architecture in Rome. We examine the formation of great art collections like those of the Borghese Gallery, the Vatican Museums and the Capitoline collections. Students are expected to write about art from all historical epochs. This counts toward the Europe and Americas place requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Permission of instructor required.

This seminar explores topics and issues relating to the history of ancient art and architecture. Assignments include seminar reports, class discussion and a research paper. This course can be repeated up to two times for credit, so long as each covers different topics. This counts toward the advanced course, Europe and the Americas place and the before 600 C.E. time requirements for the major. Prerequisite: any course in art history or classics. Sophomore standing.

This advanced seminar explores topics and issues of the study of medieval art and architecture. Topics covered include sacred and secular art in the late Middle Ages, pilgrimage art and the art in late medieval and Tudor England. Assignments include seminar reports, class discussion and a research paper. This counts toward the Europe and the Americas place requirement and the 600-1800 time requirement for the major. Any course in art history is recommended. No prerequisite. Sophomore standing.

Required of all senior majors and recommended for senior minors, this course serves as a capstone to the study of art history. Students study the foundations of the discipline, explore the variety of methodological approaches employed by art historians, and assess current theoretical issues in the field. Senior standing. Offered every fall semester.

Honors is for students with demonstrated ability to work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Students undertaking an honors thesis must have had at least one (and preferably two) intermediate or advanced courses at Kenyon in the topic area. Endorsement of the project by the proposed thesis advisor is mandatory before submitting an application for honors. Previous completion of a research paper in art history (preferably in the area of honors specialization) is essential. Meeting the minimum GPA does not automatically qualify a student for honors. Typically, if a student has written an exceptionally well-researched and well-written art history paper, and meets the other criteria for acceptance into honors, a professor might suggest that the student undertake a related topic as an honors thesis. Alternately, students can discuss pursuing an honors thesis with their academic advisor and a potential thesis advisor. The project must be supervised by an art history professor who agrees and is available to serve as the honors thesis advisor and whose interests and expertise coincide with the proposed project. In either case, the student then works closely with the thesis advisor to develop a project proposal to be submitted to the art history faculty. Departmental approval must be obtained during the spring semester preceding work on the thesis. A minimum 3.33 cumulative grade-point average and a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major are required. Permission of instructor and department chair are required.

Honors is for students with demonstrated ability to work on a research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Students undertaking an honors thesis must have had at least one (and preferably two) intermediate or advanced courses at Kenyon in the topic area. Endorsement of the project by the proposed thesis advisor is mandatory before submitting an application for honors. Previous completion of a research paper in art history (preferably in the area of honors specialization) is essential. Meeting the minimum GPA does not automatically qualify a student for honors. Typically, if a student has written an exceptionally well-researched and well-written art history paper, and meets the other criteria for acceptance into honors, a professor might suggest that the student undertake a related topic as an honors thesis. Alternately, students can discuss pursuing an honors thesis with their academic advisor and a potential thesis advisor. The project must be supervised by an art history professor who agrees and is available to serve as the honors thesis advisor and whose interests and expertise coincide with the proposed project. In either case, the student then works closely with the thesis advisor to develop a project proposal to be submitted to the art history faculty. Departmental approval must be obtained during the spring semester preceding work on the thesis. A minimum 3.33 cumulative grade-point average and a minimum 3.5 GPA in the major are required. Permission of instructor and department chair are required.