Via readings from philosophy, theory, and art historiography, this seminar will explore the methods and theories of the History of Art, critically engaging with debates across the discipline’s history up to the present. Students will work with art from local collections throughout the semester, and have the opportunity to practice multiple modes of art historical writing.
×
History of Art: Methods and Theories AS.010.610 (01)
Via readings from philosophy, theory, and art historiography, this seminar will explore the methods and theories of the History of Art, critically engaging with debates across the discipline’s history up to the present. Students will work with art from local collections throughout the semester, and have the opportunity to practice multiple modes of art historical writing.
Days/Times: W 4:30PM - 6:30PM
Instructor: Brown, Rebecca Mary
Room: Gilman 177
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/8
PosTag(s): HART-MODERN
AS.010.669 (01)
Duchamp Effects: From the Ready-Made to Being Given
T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Gilman 177
Fall 2025
Painter and provocateur, quitter-of-art and player-of-chess, Marcel Duchamp aka Rrose Sélavy has long been recognized for redefining what counts as a work of art. His most prodigious legacy are the ready-mades of the 1910s, everyday objects – from bottle rack to urinal – that he nominated as art and signed. The influence of this gesture on pop art, conceptual art, minimalism, and happenings has since been called “the Duchamp effect.” But what happens for the history of art when the logic of cause and effect is undone? Duchamp too was interested in this question. His last work, Étant donnés (1946-1966), was made in complete secrecy in the very decades that inaugurated the clichés of his reception. Unveiled at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1969, the year after his death, Étant donnés seems to repudiate all that the ready-mades had come to stand for – and, at the same time, to register the effects of diverse postwar practices on Duchamp’s understanding of art.
This seminar takes Étant donnés as point of departure for studying the long and multidirectional history of modernism. Artists under discussion include: Joseph Beuys, Scott Burton, Vaginal Davis, Richard Hamilton, Eva Hesse, Yayoi Kusama, Senga Nengudi, Dieter Roth, Alina Szapocznikow, Hannah Wilke. Readings span Duchamp’s writings and reception, the historiography of the avant-garde and modernism, aesthetics and affect theory, feminist and queer thought. The seminar will include at least one group excursion to visit the Arensberg Collection in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
×
Duchamp Effects: From the Ready-Made to Being Given AS.010.669 (01)
Painter and provocateur, quitter-of-art and player-of-chess, Marcel Duchamp aka Rrose Sélavy has long been recognized for redefining what counts as a work of art. His most prodigious legacy are the ready-mades of the 1910s, everyday objects – from bottle rack to urinal – that he nominated as art and signed. The influence of this gesture on pop art, conceptual art, minimalism, and happenings has since been called “the Duchamp effect.” But what happens for the history of art when the logic of cause and effect is undone? Duchamp too was interested in this question. His last work, Étant donnés (1946-1966), was made in complete secrecy in the very decades that inaugurated the clichés of his reception. Unveiled at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1969, the year after his death, Étant donnés seems to repudiate all that the ready-mades had come to stand for – and, at the same time, to register the effects of diverse postwar practices on Duchamp’s understanding of art.
This seminar takes Étant donnés as point of departure for studying the long and multidirectional history of modernism. Artists under discussion include: Joseph Beuys, Scott Burton, Vaginal Davis, Richard Hamilton, Eva Hesse, Yayoi Kusama, Senga Nengudi, Dieter Roth, Alina Szapocznikow, Hannah Wilke. Readings span Duchamp’s writings and reception, the historiography of the avant-garde and modernism, aesthetics and affect theory, feminist and queer thought. The seminar will include at least one group excursion to visit the Arensberg Collection in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Days/Times: T 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Room: Gilman 177
Status: Open
Seats Available: 7/8
PosTag(s): HART-MODERN
AS.010.672 (01)
Pictura/Scriptura: Visual and Literary Culture 1400-1600
M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Campbell, Stephen John
Gilman 177
Fall 2025
The seminar explores common ground between literary and art historical scholarship on Early Modern Europe and beyond; it seeks to further conversation between art historical and literary critical methodologies as well as media theory, and is designed to appeal to students of literature and of art history. Seeking to move beyond the mid-20th century discourses of iconology, it will re-consider the potential of Aby Warburg’s psychological and anthropological approach to the trans-cultural and trans-historical migration of symbols, and its implications for a “global Renaissance.” We will focus on antiquarian scholarship with its considerations of visual and material evidence, ekphrasis and the picturing functions of language, inscription and the legibility of images, the printed book as sylloge and “collection,” the dynamic interrelation of writing and drawing, Renaissance controversies about theater and epic and their implication in debates about art. In addition to Warburg and more recent writing on Warburg and the Renaissance, readings will be drawn from an array of interdisciplinary inquiry in Classics, Medieval and East Asian fields.
×
Pictura/Scriptura: Visual and Literary Culture 1400-1600 AS.010.672 (01)
The seminar explores common ground between literary and art historical scholarship on Early Modern Europe and beyond; it seeks to further conversation between art historical and literary critical methodologies as well as media theory, and is designed to appeal to students of literature and of art history. Seeking to move beyond the mid-20th century discourses of iconology, it will re-consider the potential of Aby Warburg’s psychological and anthropological approach to the trans-cultural and trans-historical migration of symbols, and its implications for a “global Renaissance.” We will focus on antiquarian scholarship with its considerations of visual and material evidence, ekphrasis and the picturing functions of language, inscription and the legibility of images, the printed book as sylloge and “collection,” the dynamic interrelation of writing and drawing, Renaissance controversies about theater and epic and their implication in debates about art. In addition to Warburg and more recent writing on Warburg and the Renaissance, readings will be drawn from an array of interdisciplinary inquiry in Classics, Medieval and East Asian fields.
Days/Times: M 4:30PM - 7:00PM
Instructor: Campbell, Stephen John
Room: Gilman 177
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.697 (01)
Reply-All: Letter-Writing in Art and History
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Brown, Rebecca Mary
Gilman 177
Fall 2025
From embellished silver pens and abolitionist secretary desks to contemporary artists manipulating historical postcards and making fax collages, this course will explore the materiality, technologies, and aesthetics of written communications from the 18th century to the present. This research-centered course will engage directly with objects in the Baltimore Museum of Art collection, in preparation for an upcoming exhibition. Topics include the development of specific decorative arts and designs in conjunction with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century postal and bureaucratic history, letter-writing as a mode of resistance, strategic illegibility and asemic writing as a form of critical artistic practice, and the importance of mail art as conceptual and institutional critique. Includes hands-on work in the museum and class visits with BMA curator Dr. Leslie Cozzi.
×
Reply-All: Letter-Writing in Art and History AS.010.697 (01)
From embellished silver pens and abolitionist secretary desks to contemporary artists manipulating historical postcards and making fax collages, this course will explore the materiality, technologies, and aesthetics of written communications from the 18th century to the present. This research-centered course will engage directly with objects in the Baltimore Museum of Art collection, in preparation for an upcoming exhibition. Topics include the development of specific decorative arts and designs in conjunction with eighteenth- and nineteenth-century postal and bureaucratic history, letter-writing as a mode of resistance, strategic illegibility and asemic writing as a form of critical artistic practice, and the importance of mail art as conceptual and institutional critique. Includes hands-on work in the museum and class visits with BMA curator Dr. Leslie Cozzi.
Days/Times: W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Instructor: Brown, Rebecca Mary
Room: Gilman 177
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): HART-MODERN
AS.010.801 (01)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Campbell, Stephen John
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (01)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Campbell, Stephen John
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (02)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Feldman, Marian
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (02)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Feldman, Marian
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (03)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Merback, Mitchell
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (03)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Merback, Mitchell
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (04)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Liu, Mia Yinxing
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (04)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Liu, Mia Yinxing
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (06)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (06)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (08)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Zchomelidse, Nino
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (08)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Zchomelidse, Nino
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (10)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Brown, Rebecca Mary
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (10)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Brown, Rebecca Mary
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (13)
Special Research & Problems
Stager, Jennifer
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Research & Problems AS.010.801 (13)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Stager, Jennifer
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (14)
Special Research & Problems
Stager, Jennifer
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Research & Problems AS.010.801 (14)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Stager, Jennifer
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.801 (15)
Special Rsrch & Problems
Rustem, Unver
Fall 2025
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
×
Special Rsrch & Problems AS.010.801 (15)
This course is for students who wish or need special instruction in areas of art history not included in the currently offered courses.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Rustem, Unver
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (01)
Individual Work
Campbell, Stephen John
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (01)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Campbell, Stephen John
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 4/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (02)
Individual Work
Feldman, Marian
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (02)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Feldman, Marian
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (03)
Individual Work
Merback, Mitchell
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (03)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Merback, Mitchell
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (04)
Individual Work
Liu, Mia Yinxing
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (04)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Liu, Mia Yinxing
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (06)
Individual Work
Stager, Jennifer
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (06)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Stager, Jennifer
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 10/10
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (07)
Individual Work
Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (07)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Schopp, Caroline Lillian
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (08)
Individual Work
Zchomelidse, Nino
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (08)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Zchomelidse, Nino
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (10)
Individual Work
Brown, Rebecca Mary
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (10)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Brown, Rebecca Mary
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.803 (13)
Individual Work
Rustem, Unver
Fall 2025
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
×
Individual Work AS.010.803 (13)
Students preparing dissertations will enroll in this course with the permission of their doctoral advisers.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Rustem, Unver
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 5/5
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.010.815 (01)
History of Art Teaching Assistant
Feldman, Marian
Fall 2025
For History of Art PhD students. This indicates they are actively participating as a TA as required by the program.
×
History of Art Teaching Assistant AS.010.815 (01)
For History of Art PhD students. This indicates they are actively participating as a TA as required by the program.
Days/Times:
Instructor: Feldman, Marian
Room:
Status: Open
Seats Available: 8/8
PosTag(s): n/a
AS.132.609 (01)
Research Methods: Arts of the Mesopotamian World: Crafters & Consumers
W 1:30PM - 4:00PM
Feldman, Marian
Gilman 130G
Fall 2025
This hybrid seminar examines in depth a series of artistic case studies over a 3000 year period in the region of what is today Iraq, Syria, and southeastern Turkey, from c, 3500-500 BCE. Discussion will focus on processes of making and contexts of using myriad forms of art and architecture. Topics will include the invention of writing and complex imagery; portraiture and ritual practice; the symbolic value of materials; visual narration; and the uses of space for expressive purposes. We will approach these and other topics through critical engagement with existing scholarship, as well as by direct study of objects in nearby museum collections.
×
Research Methods: Arts of the Mesopotamian World: Crafters & Consumers AS.132.609 (01)
This hybrid seminar examines in depth a series of artistic case studies over a 3000 year period in the region of what is today Iraq, Syria, and southeastern Turkey, from c, 3500-500 BCE. Discussion will focus on processes of making and contexts of using myriad forms of art and architecture. Topics will include the invention of writing and complex imagery; portraiture and ritual practice; the symbolic value of materials; visual narration; and the uses of space for expressive purposes. We will approach these and other topics through critical engagement with existing scholarship, as well as by direct study of objects in nearby museum collections.