Global Art History: Ancient to Modern

Instructor Information

• Instructor: Dr. Lucia Marchetti (Associate Professor of Art and Art History)
• Email: lmarchetti@university.alkimi.ai
• Office: Lovell Hall 170
• Office Hours:
  • Wednesday & Friday: 2:00–3:30 p.m. (In person, Lovell Hall 170)
  • Tuesday: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (Virtual via Zoom; link posted in Canvas)
  • Also available by appointment.

Course Description

Global survey of visual art and architecture from antiquity to the contemporary era, emphasizing cultural contexts, stylistic movements, visual analysis, and critical interpretation. ART 101 introduces students to the global history of visual art, sculpture, and monumental architecture from antiquity through the Renaissance to the contemporary era. We investigate how visual objects embody sacred beliefs, political power, cultural identity, and aesthetic values across historical civilizations in the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Students develop disciplined formal visual analysis skills, learning to interrogate composition, scale, medium, line, color, light, and iconography. Through comparative case studies and primary source readings, students explore the cross-cultural exchange of artistic materials, styles, and ideas across centuries.

Prerequisites

None.

Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of ART 101, students will be able to:

1. Conduct Formal Visual Analysis: Analyze works of art and architecture through close visual observation, identifying formal elements including composition, scale, line, medium, color, and spatial organization.
2. Contextualize Historical Art Traditions: Situate major monuments, sculptures, and paintings within their specific cultural, religious, political, and economic contexts from antiquity to the present.
3. Interpret Iconography and Symbolism: Identify and interpret iconographic programs, sacred symbols, and cultural narratives across diverse global artistic traditions.
4. Trace Cross-Cultural Artistic Exchanges: Evaluate the historical movement of materials, techniques, visual idioms, and aesthetic conventions across Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean, and the Americas.
5. Formulate Thesis-Driven Art Criticism: Construct well-reasoned, thesis-driven essays comparing artworks across distinct historical periods or cultural traditions, adhering to Chicago Manual of Style citation standards.

Required Course Materials & Approximate Costs

1. Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art through the Ages: A Global History. 16th ed., Cengage Learning, 2020. Approx. $55 digital rental via MindTap/Canvas, $95 print purchase.
2. Alkimi Art History Digital Image Archive and Primary Source Anthology. Free digital access provided via Canvas.
3. Total estimated cost: Approx. $55 to $95.

Generative AI Policy (AI Level 1: AI Not Permitted for Graded Work)

In accordance with Alkimi University Academic Policies (Student Handbook §5.8), ART 101 operates under AI Level 1.

• What is permitted: You may use generative AI tools to review chronological timelines, look up definitions of architectural and artistic terms, or check spelling and grammar on preliminary drafts.
• What is prohibited: You may not use generative AI to write formal visual analyses, generate artwork comparisons, interpret iconographic symbolism, or answer examination essay prompts.
• Disclosure: All submitted papers and written visual analyses must conclude with an authenticity statement confirming that all visual observations, stylistic interpretations, and prose are entirely your own original work.

Grading Components and Weights

• Formal Visual Analysis Paper: Sculpture or Monument: 15% (Due Thursday, September 24 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Midterm Slide Identification & Essay Examination: 20% (In class, Thursday, October 15)
• Comparative Artwork Analysis Essay: 20% (Due Thursday, November 12 at 11:59 p.m.)
• Weekly Image Analysis & Reading Responses: 15% (Weekly short visual analysis responses and reading comprehension questions submitted in Canvas on Tuesdays at 11:59 p.m.; lowest dropped)
• Seminar Discussion & Gallery Engagement: 10% (Active participation in lecture dialogues, small-group image debates, and formal visual critique exercises)
• Final Comprehensive Examination: 20% (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.)

Grading Scale (Alkimi University Standard)

• A: 93–100% | A-: 90–92%
• B+: 87–89% | B: 83–86% | B-: 80–82%
• C+: 77–79% | C: 73–76% | C-: 70–72%
• D+: 67–69% | D: 60–66% | F: Below 60%
• Extra credit: No individual extra credit assignments are offered in ART 101. Your final course grade is computed strictly from the assessed deliverables, exams, and weekly participation outlined in this syllabus.

Course Schedule (Fall 2026)

Course Policies

Attendance Policy

Visual literacy is cultivated through real-time looking, collaborative visual analysis, and active dialogue in the lecture hall. Regular and punctual attendance is required for every scheduled class session. You are allowed two unexcused absences without grade penalty; each additional unexcused absence will reduce your final course grade by one third of a letter grade. Missing more than five class sessions will result in a failing grade. Students who miss the first two class meetings without notifying the instructor may be dropped. Students may miss class for religious observance without penalty if they notify the instructor in writing within the first two weeks of the semester (by Wednesday, September 9, 2026). Absences for university-sponsored activities (athletics, performances, conferences) are excused with a letter from the sponsoring office at least one week in advance.

Late Work Policy

Written visual analysis papers and comparative essays lose 10% per calendar day late and will not be accepted after three days past the stated deadline. Weekly image responses and in-class examinations cannot be made up without a documented university medical or dean's excuse.

Final Exam Policy

The final examination (Thursday, December 17, 2026, 1:00–3:00 p.m.) is scheduled by the University Registrar and can't be moved without the Dean's written approval (Faculty Handbook §5.5). A student with three or more final exams on the same calendar day may reschedule one of them. Requests go to the instructor of the middle exam by the last day of classes. For this term, send the request by Wednesday, December 9, 2026 (Student Handbook §6.4).