Art History Courses
AHIS 101
Art and Visual Culture: A Global Perspective
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course is an introduction to art and visual culture across time and diverse cultures
with a global perspective. Examining works of art through themes, theory, terminology
and media, students acquire analytical and interpretive skills to develop visual literacy
as well as an understanding of the role of art and visual culture in relation to contemporary
life. This course explores how meaning is constructed, transmitted and negotiated
in an increasingly visual world.
AHIS 102A
History of Western Art - Prehistoric to Gothic
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course surveys the history of Western art from the prehistoric era through the
Gothic period with an emphasis on painting, sculpture, and architecture. Key art works
are studied in relation to historical and cultural contexts that consider the effects
of shifting social, political, philosophical, and spiritual paradigms on the production
of art.
AHIS 102AH
Honors History of Western Art - Prehistoric to Gothic
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course, designed for students in the Honors Transfer Program, surveys the history
of Western art from the prehistoric era through the Gothic period with an emphasis
on the relation of artworks to historical and cultural contexts by examining the effects
of shifting social, political, philosophical, and spiritual paradigms on the production
of art. This course is enriched through more extensive reading, writing, and research
assignments.
AHIS 102B
History of Western Art - Proto-Renaissance to 19th Century
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A or qualification by appropriate assessment
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course surveys the history and development of Western painting, sculpture, and
architecture in relation to changing social, political, religious, and philosophical
conditions from the 14th through the 19th centuries. The focus is on the Proto-Renaissance,
Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, and Neoclassical periods in Italy, Spain,
Flanders, The Netherlands, France, England, Germany and the New World.
AHIS 102C
History of Western Art - 19th Century to Contemporary Times
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course is a survey of the history, development, and evolution of painting, sculpture,
architecture, photography, and related art forms of Western Europe and the United
States from the mid-nineteenth century to the late-twentieth century. Artworks, art
movements, and art styles are studied in relation to relevant social, political, philosophical,
and technological factors, and the accelerating changes that characterize the modern
era. Students will see how the aesthetic of newness, originality, anti-academicism,
and radical formal invention characteristic of avant-garde modernism was rooted in
the deep-seated social changes and values that defined modernity. Students will be
introduced to fundamental methods of analysis that will assist them in understanding
art and aesthetic human activities.
AHIS 205A
History of Asian Art - India and Southeast Asia
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course surveys the arts of India and Southeast Asia from their earliest beginnings
in Indus Valley cultures through the 18th century with an emphasis on Buddhist and
Hindu art forms. Key artworks are studied in relation to historical, cultural, and
religious contexts.
AHIS 205B
History of Asian Art - China, Korea, and Japan
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course surveys the arts of China, Japan, and Korea from the Neolithic period
through the 21st century in relation to cultural, political, religious, and philosophical
contexts. It traces the transmission of cultural ideas and art forms from one civilization
to another and considers the effect of Western art’s historical methodologies on the
study and appreciation of Asian art and culture.
AHIS 207
Art History of Mexico and Central and South America
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course surveys the art of Mexico, Central America, and South America, from Pre-Colombian
civilizations through contemporary times. Key artworks are studied in relation to
historical and cultural contexts that consider the effects of shifting social, political,
philosophical, and spiritual paradigms on the production of art.
AHIS 208
History of American Art
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A or qualification by appropriate assessment
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course is an introductory survey of American Art and visual culture from its
pre-colonial past to the contemporary era with a focus on the social, political, economic,
and philosophical conditions that have constructed the visualization of diverse American
identities. American Art will be examined in relation to issues of representation
and marginalization. Both art and artists will be studied within contexts that consider
constructions of race, class, hybridity, gender, and sexuality and how these identifications
factor into the construction of the canon, or mainstream, of the art world and the
(in)visibility of diverse artists within art history.
AHIS 208H
Honors History of American Art
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 1 or eligibility for ENGL 1A or qualification by appropriate assessment
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This honors course, intended for students in the Honors Transfer Program, is an introductory
survey of American Art and visual culture from its pre-colonial past to the contemporary
era with a focus on the social, political, economic, and philosophical conditions
that have constructed the visualization of diverse American identities. American Art
will be examined in relation to issues of representation and marginalization. Both
art and artists will be studied within contexts that consider constructions of race,
class, hybridity, gender, and sexuality and how these identifications factor into
the construction of the canon, or mainstream, of the art world and the (in)visibility
of diverse artists within art history.
This course is enriched through extensive, rigorous reading, writing, and research
assignments.
Note: Students may take either AHIS 208 or AHIS 208H. Duplicate credit will not be
awarded for AHIS 208 and AHIS 208H.
AHIS 209
History of African Art
3 units
3 hours lecture
Recommended Preparation: eligibility for ENGL 1A
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU, UC
This course is an introductory survey of African art in relation to its historical
and cultural contexts. It focuses on specific groups and regions with an emphasis
on sub- Sahara West and Central Africa, stressing the different roles of the visual
arts within each culture.