This course is designed for students new to the study of art and addresses works of art from a wide variety of cultures and times. Lectures, readings, and assignments provide a grounding in the principles, materials, techniques, and processes of art making and develop students' visual and critical skills. The course also addresses more complex problems of interpretation as the class explores the historical, social, and philosophical contexts of selected works. In these classes, recent American art and culture receive special attention.

Assignments allow the students to make frequent use of the Elvehjem Museum and other local resources.