ARTH 1200H: Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary - Honors

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2026
Credits: 3
Total Contact Hours: 54
Lecture Hours : 54
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 108
Total Student Learning Hours: 162
District General Education: C2. Humanities, C1. Arts
Transferable to CSU: Yes
Transferable to UC: Yes - Approved
Grading Method: Standard Letter

Catalog Course Description

Common Course Description: This course provides an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period with a focus on art from Europe. The course will further consider global interactions involving this region. This is an honors course. Citrus College Details: Students are expected to work and participate at an honors level which includes strong critical thinking skills, thorough analysis of art historical readings, presentation and leadership skills demonstrated through class participation/presentations. Student must be eligible for the Citrus College Honors Program or obtain a recommendation from an Honors instructor. Formerly ART 100BH. 54 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Evaluate the ways visual objects' aesthetics, subject matters and functions were informed by their historical, philosophical, religious and cultural contexts.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Recognize the change in art styles and techniques in representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Evaluate forms, functions, and the interrelationship of representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Compare and be able to recognize historic and national styles as well as individual art styles of representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Distinguish and recognize major art monuments representative of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Comprehend terms, techniques, and processes of representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.
  • Appreciate and assess the media, and art forms in the representative works of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period.

Major Course Content

This course critically examines the art and architecture of the following periods with an integration of history, theory, aesthetics, and cross-cultural connections:

1. Italian Renaissance and Mannerism

2. Northern Renaissance

3. Baroque and Rococo

4. Neoclassicism, Romanticism, and Realism

5. Major movements of the late 19th Century including Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

6. Introduction to major Modernist movements of the 20th-century

7. A look towards the future: contemporary global considerations

Citrus College Language:

  1. Development of Art History as a Discipline
  2. Problematizing the Art Historical 'Canon"
  3. Proto-Renaissance

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Essays and articles on themes about different methodological approaches to Western art history as well as primary source documents. Resources distributed by instructor or linked off Learning Management System.

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Write a two to three page review of an article on Western art history (from Prehistory through Medieval). The review will require students to identify the author's thesis/argument and evidence as well as offer their own analysis of the argument's strengths, weakness, connections to course materials and/or other readings.
Write an essay on a chosen work displayed in a local museum visited and critique it based on the elements and principles of art and compare it to other artworks from the same and/or different cultures discussed in class. Write an essay comparing and contrasting multiple cultures' artworks, including discussion of at least five artworks and major art historical concepts. Write a substantial paper (8-12 pages) that synthesizes themes and trends considered in the works of art presented in the course. Example of paper topics might include: gender and art, monumental art, art and politics, afterlives of artworks. Paper will require research including at least five sources.

Examples of Outside Assignments

Read essays and articles on themes about different methodological approaches to Western art history as well as primary source documents provided by the instructor. Visit museums and/or galleries. Watch and create video presentations on particular artworks, periods, terms and/or themes. See required writing assignments.

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture

IGETC Area 3: Arts and Humanities

3A. Fine Arts