Course Descriptions
ARTH 102 Late Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Art History (3 units)
Survey of the historical development of the visual arts from the late Middle Ages to the 17th century. Themes include the rise of Renaissance humanism, comparison of the emergence of important art centers in Italy and Flanders, patronage, the role of the artist in society, development of new techniques, and the impact of the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation on the form and content of art.
ARTH 103 Art of Europe and America: Neoclassical (c. 1750-Present) (3 units)
Survey of European and American artistic expression from the Neoclassical to the present (c. 1750 - present.) Emphasizes the development of modern painting and sculpture as a reaction against earlier traditions.
ARTH 104 History of Modern Art (3 units)
Survey of major styles in western art from 1888 to 1999, Post-Impressionism to Post-Modernism. How art forms reflect the complexity and diversity of the modern world. Topics include the changing role of the artist in society, the impact of world events and technology on the arts, and art criticism.
ARTH 105 Asian Art and Architecture (3 units)
Introductory survey on Asian art and architecture with a focus on China, Japan, Korea, South Asia and Southeast Asia from the prehistoric to contemporary periods.
ARTH 113 Great Museums of America (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of the collections of America’s great art museums. This museum studies course traces the evolution of collecting and exhibiting art in America from the 18th century to the present, with emphasis on the history of the works of art in each museum. Museums of New York, Wash., D.C., Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia are included.
ARTH 114 The Art History of Paris (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of the art and architecture of Paris: the Gallo-Roman settlement, Medieval Paris, the Renaissance and Baroque periods, revolutionary and Napoleonic Paris, the Second Empire and the Fin-de-Siècle, and modern Paris. This course includes a discussion of the historic figures, the social and political movements, and the artists who shaped the art history of the city. Emphasis is on architecture, painting, sculpture, and museum collections.
ARTH 116 The Art of Great Britain (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of British art and architecture from Prehistory to the 19th century. Topics include megalithic structures of the Stone Age, Celtic and Roman Britain, medieval monasteries and manuscripts, castles, cathedrals, Shakespeare’s England, historic houses, the Enlightenment, the English landscape movement, Jane Austen’s England, the Golden Age of British painting, and Romanticism.
ARTH 118 The Art and Architecture of Spain (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of Spanish art and architecture from Prehistory to the 21st century. Topics include Prehistoric Spanish cave paintings, Roman Spain, Hispanic-Visigothic art, Medieval Spain, Islamic Spain, the Spanish Empire and El Greco, the Golden Age of Spanish painting, the Enlightenment and Goya, Picasso, and modern architecture in Spain.
ARTH 128 Great Museums of California (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of the collections of California’s great art museums. This museum studies course traces the evolution of collecting and exhibiting art in California from the 19th century to the present, with emphasis on the history of the works of art in each museum. Focus is on the museums of Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
ARTH 131 Art History Goes to the Movies (3 units)
A cultural and historical survey of great masters of art history, and how their creative process is depicted in film. This course includes the unique political, social, economic, and religious environment of artists in their age, and how this shaped the forms and ideas of their art. The depiction of the historic setting, demonstrations of the artists at work, and re-creation of the artistic milieu of the time through film illustrates the process of artistic production and creativity.
ARTH 250 The Art History of Rome (3 units)
A cultural and historic survey of the art and architecture of Rome: the Etruscans, Republican and Imperial Rome, Early Christian and Medieval periods, Renaissance and Baroque Rome. This course includes a discussion of the historic figures, and the political and religious ideologies which shaped the art history of the city. Emphasis is on architecture, sculpture, painting, and mosaics.
ARTH C1100 Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era (3 units)
This course introduces students to visual art and architecture from prehistory to the medieval era with a focus on art from Europe, North Africa, and the near East. The course will further consider global interactions involving these regions. (Formerly ART 101).
ART 204 Drawing I (3 units)
An introduction to foundational drawing concepts and techniques. Students develop perceptual and observational skills through exercises emphasizing line, shape, space, value, and composition. Various drawing media are explored to build technical proficiency and creative expression.
ART 205 Drawing II (3 units)
An intermediate level drawing course in which students build on skills and knowledge learned in Drawing I. A wide range of media is used including brush and ink, and pastel or oil pastel. Emphasis is on developing the expressive possibilities of drawing.
ART 206 Figure Drawing and Portraiture (3 units)
Drawing from the live model emphasizing underlying structure of the human body and the expressive use of drawing media. Portraiture is covered as it relates to individual characterization and expression.
ART 207 Life Drawing (3 units)
An introduction to drawing the human figure from live models. Students develop observational and technical skills through the study of gesture, contour, shape, volume, plane, value, composition, and structural anatomy. Various drawing media are explored, including charcoal and graphite.
ART 213 Life Drawing II (3 units)
Continued exploration of the human figure through advanced drawing techniques and materials, including graphite, charcoal, pastel, ink, and mixed media. Students apply knowledge of anatomy to create expressive representations of the figure in varied compositional contexts. Emphasis on developing individual artistic voice through sustained studio practice with live models
ART 214 Color (3 units)
A foundational study of color from artistic, scientific, and expressive perspectives. Students explore major color theories and develop practical skills in color mixing, application, and design through studio projects, demonstrations, and critiques. Emphasis on understanding color relationships and their role in visual communication and artistic expression.
ART 221 Painting I (3 units)
An introduction to oil painting techniques and color theory. Students develop technical skills in paint handling, color mixing, and compositional design through observational painting from still life, the figure, and photographic references. Emphasis on building foundational skills while exploring varied approaches to representation
ART 222 Painting II (3 units)
Continued practice in oil painting techniques building upon the foundational skills from Painting I. Students deepen their understanding of color, composition, and paint handling through sustained studio practice. Emphasis on technical refinement, creative exploration, and developing greater confidence in personal artistic choices
ART 229 Landscape Painting (2 units)
In this oil painting course, students paint the landscape directly on location. The class meets at various locations on the Peninsula to work from nature. Emphasis is on the study of composition, color, and light while working quickly and directly. Students must provide their own transportation.
ART 231 Watercolor I (3 units)
Introduction to transparent and opaque Watercolor. Varied approaches and techniques are used, with an emphasis on working from observation.
ART 232 Watercolor II (3 units)
Continuation of ART 231. Additional exploration of watercolor painting as a vehicle for creative art expression. This includes the use of more advanced techniques as well as the development of compositional skills.
ART 301 Two-Dimensional Design (3 units)
An introductory studio course in the fundamentals of art and design. Students use a variety of art media in creating work that explores the use of the basic elements of two dimensional art including line, shape, value, color, space, texture, and pattern.
ART 304 Gallery Design and Management (2 units)
Introduces the practical skills and theoretical background necessary for working in museums and galleries. Students plan, curate, design, install, maintain, and publicize exhibits on campus. Topics include: selection of artworks, writing of exhibition text, design and preparation of exhibits (matting and framing, props, installation and lighting), publicity, gallery security and maintenance, and care of collections. Also covered are historical and social context of museums and galleries. Students attend field trips to galleries, museums, and art studios in the Bay Area and create virtual exhibits.
ART 306 Three-Dimensional Design (3 units)
An introduction to the theories and applications of three-dimensional art and design. Students create studio projects using a variety of tools, techniques, and mediums which may include wire, paper, cardboard, clay, wood, and other materials at the instructor's discretion. Concepts are introduced and clarified through instructor lectures and demonstrations. Three-dimensional design is a core foundational course required in many art majors. Field trips may be included.
ART 695 Independent Study (0.5- 3 units)
Designed for students who are interested in furthering their knowledge via self-paced, individualized instruction provided in selected areas or directed study to be arranged with instructor and approved by the division dean using the Independent Study Form. Varying modes of instruction can be used -- laboratory, research, skill development, etc. For each unit earned, students are required to devote three hours per week throughout the semester. Students may take only one Independent Study course within a given discipline.