ARTS 101   Caves to Cathedrals: The Art of Europe and the Mediterranean to the 13th Century (AH)

Examines some of the best-preserved monuments from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Byzantium, the early and medieval Islamic world, and medieval Europe. Lectures, readings and discussions consider why, how and for whom these works were originally created, by examining ancient history, religion, politics, trade, and other social structures. Equal attention is given to recent historical factors that have shaped this “canon” of art history, including colonialism, nationalism, tourism, UNESCO, the art market, museums, and academia, as well as some of the “decolonizing” methodologies that have emerged to push back against those forces.