"Orientalism" has become a ubiquitous term in academic discourse but relatively little has been done to explore the manifestations of this phenomenon in the realm of the visual arts, or to establish the distinctive character of American Orientalism. Instead, the works of nineteenth-century-French painters such as Gerome are often used to epitomize the visual evidence. This course will address this reductionism critically, beginning with the American students of Gerome and proceeding chronologically and comparatively. In the process, we will utilize both established and emerging art forms (e.g., advertising) to trace the efflourescence of orientalist imagery in the context of emerging mass culture in America. Students will be expected to undertake a major research project.

Hour: H. EDWARDS