This course will examine the history of American Art from the period of earliest European settlement through the present. Works of art and other forms of material culture will be explored and discussed within the context of philosophical, historical, social, and cultural developments. In this course, works of art and artifacts are interpreted not as formal objects isolated from history nor as passive objects that "reflect" the past, but rather as active agents that have the potential to influence and shape broader historical, social, and cultural patterns. Although the course will mainly cover works of painting, sculpture, and architecture, other forms of material culture, especially the decorative arts, will also be considered. Attention will also be given to the writings of artists and critics, as well as texts by contemporary art historians, historians, and other scholars which illustrate the variety of methodologies and interpretations that are currently being brought to bear on American art, architecture, and material culture.

Success in the course is contingent upon the student's attending classes, participating in class discussions, keeping up with reading assignments, writing two short papers, and adequately preparing for examinations. Students that come to all class periods and actively participate in class activities will earn the highest grades in the course. There will be three non-cumulative exams spaced evenly throughout the course. Exams will consist of a mix of slide identifications, comparative essays, and essays based on course readings. The papers will be based on close reading and careful interpretation of an essay relating to American art and considering it relative to one (or more) works of art of the student's choosing. A percentage of your grade will also be based on class participation--including attendance, level of participation in class discussions, and short quizzes.