ARTH 503 Studies in Decorative Arts, Material Culture, Design History, 1700-2000 (Not offered 2008-2009; to be offered 2009-2010)
The course will explore the methods, goals, and theoretical framework in which three-dimensional, functional objects have been and are interpreted. Class discussion will include distinction between "fine arts," "decorative arts," and "design"; role and limitation of connoisseurship; the current relationship of object study to aesthetics, social history, history of technology, anthropology, sociology, gender and ethnic studies; the effect of the market on history and scholarship; and current theories on the role of objects in human life.
Requirements: students will be responsible for leading class discussions of selected readings, one 20-page paper, two 3-page papers and an oral presentation on the main research topic. Enrollment limit: 12 (expected: 8-12).
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