Fall 2025

The description and analysis of various forms of visual culture, including both mass media and "high" art representations, both Western and non-Western images.

Mediterranean and European art and architecture presented in historical, cultural and social context that introduces art history as a discipline.

An introduction to the major art forms and monuments of religious art in India, Southeast Asia, China and Japan from prehistory to1300.

A broad survey, covering some 8,000 years and focusing on the material culture of the ancient world in a historical and social context.

Survey of artistic works and monuments of ancient Greece from the Geometric through the Hellenistic period (c. 1000 - 30 BCE.).

Investigation of the transformation between classical antiquity and the middle ages through examination of cities, buildings, images and artifacts of the 3rd-8th-century Mediterranean.

Painting, sculpture and architecture in 17th century Europe, north and south. Recommended preparation: AHIS 121

Studies the art and visual culture of the United States from nation formation to the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893.

An examination of European modern art and design, focusing on industrialization, urbanism, primitivisim, colonialism, and their relations to the arts.

Explores key moments in the history of photography from its invention to the present. Issues include modernity and mass culture; photography as a fine art; technologies of vision.

Independent work in art museums, galleries or art history related institutes supervised by on-site professionals and USC faculty. Not available for credit for AHIS majors. CR/NC

Developing strategies for analyzing what material culture of the past can tell us about the individuals and cultures that interacted with it.

Exploration of the main movements in 19th century French art, using the city of Paris and its museums. Field trips in conjunction with classwork. Advisement is required for credit for Art History majors.

Explores the transmigration of Japanese art and aesthetics and the politics of their adaptation and assimilation in Los Angeles.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Historiography and methodology: introduction to techniques of research and writing. Required of all art history majors, preferably in junior year.

Research and writing of original thesis under guidance of faculty member. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

Research and writing of original thesis under guidance of faculty member. Prereq: Consent of instructor.

Methodologies, theories and critical traditions that have shaped the discipline. Emphasis will vary depending on faculty. Required of all first-year M.A. and Ph.D. candidates. Open to graduate or limited status students in art history only.

How collections are organized by category -- e.g., period, culture, materials, or mode of production. Examines collecting protocols, historiography and modes of collecting and viewing associated with that category.

Research leading to graduate degree. Maximum units which may be applied to degree determined by department. Graded CR/NC.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within College disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College. Open only to Art History doctoral students. Graded CR/NC.

Research leading to the Doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded CR/NC.