ARTH 520.  Seminar in Art History   (1-3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 520A, 520B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

ARTH 520E.  Medieval and Early Modern Material Culture   (3).

Investigates the rich potential of things. Students study artifacts that might have been considered "everyday objects" (like ceramics, glass and metal vessels, textiles, jewelry, armor, manuscripts, etc.) and discover the meanings that these cultural products held for their creators as well as their consumers. Explores the roles of the makers and their materials and techniques of production, and then discovers more about the circulation, reception, and historic and geographic context in which these objects are found. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 125A-Z or instructor's consent.

ARTH 532.  Independent Study in Art History   (1-3).

Work in a specialized area of the study of art history. Directed readings and projects. Prerequisite(s): instructor's consent.

ARTH 533.  Seminar: Topics in Modern Art   (3).

An umbrella course created to explore a variety of subtopics differentiated by letter (e.g., 533A, 533B). Not all subtopics are offered each semester – see the course schedule for availability. Students enroll in the lettered courses with specific topics in the titles rather than in this root course.

ARTH 533AB.  Islamic Art   (3).

Explores the relationship between the Islamic faith and various art forms. Muslim societies have produced artworks of extraordinary vitality and diversity across three continents over the course of 1500 years. Course examines this art thematically. Topics include: introduction to Islam, mosque architecture, calligraphy, Islamic ornament, ceramics, contemporary video/performance art and more. Students gain a greater familiarity with the vibrant Islamic community in Wichita through guest speakers, field trips and cultural exchanges. Course includes diversity content.

ARTH 533AD.  Contemporary Art Topics   (3).

Advanced level seminar addressing topics in contemporary art. Topics vary and respond to trends and controversies in the contemporary art world. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisite(s): graduate standing or instructor's consent.

ARTH 533AE.  Geographies, Environments, Ecologies   (3).

In this course, students investigate art that takes its concept in theories about geography, environment and ecology. The focus is on artistic projects from the 1960s to the present, with an emphasis on Europe and the Americas. Projects included are multimedial, ranging from and working on the intersections of photography, film, installation, performance, digital and mobile technologies, to biological media. The conceptual framework in this class is interdisciplinary, drawing from a range of concepts in the arts, humanities and social sciences, including notions in postcolonial theory, feminism and queer theory, cybernetics and systems theories, relational aesthetics, post-humanism, and new-materialisms. Students have the opportunity to develop their own projects individually, with peers and the local community.

ARTH 533AF.  Realism/Activism/Prints   (3).

Working closely with the director of the Ulrich Museum of Art and the museum’s notable collection of works on paper, students explore regional and national printmakers of the past century who engaged in social activism. Students have the opportunity to view firsthand the works discussed in the class, and to research and write critically about those works for an exhibition at the Ulrich Museum of Art the following semester.

ARTH 533AG.  Contemporary Sculpture   (3).

This class will address selected works of sculpture from the modern and contemporary period. Emphasis will be placed on major artists and movements, such as cubism and minimalism. This course will help students identify stylistic differences between these movements and place them in their larger socio-historical contexts, allowing students to understand why different artists developed different styles or subject matters at different times.

ARTH 533AI.  History of Photography   (3).

Explores the major conceptual, ideological and cultural issues that have impacted the history of photography from the 19th century to the present. Emphasizes the sociopolitical forces, technological developments and aesthetic innovations that have determined the trends of photographic theory and production.

ARTH 540D.  Concepts in Creative Industries: Funding and Promotion   (3).

Focuses on applied learning through partnerships with on- and off-campus arts and cultural organizations. Working closely with their partner organizations, students learn the basics of funding and resource management for those organizations, such as grant writing, discovering alternative revenue streams, and collaborating with existing and prospective donors or commercial sponsors. Students also learn about promotional strategies by participating in the venues' publicity and marketing efforts and by helping to create promotional materials, to plan events, to find advertising opportunities, and more. For undergraduate credit only. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 125A-Z and at least one 300-level ARTH course; or instructor's consent.

ARTH 546.  Modernism II   (3).

Explores a changing array of social, cultural, political and medium-specific issues that have impacted the development of modern art and design and the notion of modernism as an important theoretical term. Themes, topics and artistic/design-based references in this class change and respond to current debates and dialogues informing art and design practice. Requires in-depth research and analysis in oral and written communication. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 346, graduate standing, or instructor's consent.

ARTH 547.  Themes in Contem Art/Design II   (3).

Explores the historical foundations of contemporary art and design, as well as the various social cultural, political and medium-specific issues that influence creative citizenship, contemporary practices, theories of postmodernism and globalization, existing and emerging exhibition strategies, and changing audiences and environments. Themes, topics and artistic/design-based references of this class change and respond to current debates and dialogues. Note: This course offers an undergraduate section under the number ARTH 347. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 347, graduate standing, or instructor’s consent.

ARTH 550B.  Contemporary Art & Technology   (3).

Examines the role of mechanical, electronic and digital technologies in the creative practices of the late 20th and 21st centuries with emphasis on Europe and North America. Beginning with kinetic and moving to cybernetically inspired art, this course explores early uses of computer technology, including early experiments in synthetic video and interactivity. Critical investigations of new media art such as computer games, bio and sound art, and art for mobile devices, as well as examinations of new media arts beyond Western traditions are integral parts of the course. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 125A-Z and at least one 300-level ARTH course; or instructor's consent.

ARTH 587.  Theories of Art History and Culture II   (3).

Explores a range of theoretical models from various cultures and periods that have been used to better understand, contextualize, interpret and analyze visual culture and a range of art and design practices. Structuralism, poststructuralism, modernism, postmodernism, cultural theory (including postcolonial theory, queer theory and feminism), material theory, aesthetics, and theories of connoisseurship are discussed as contributing influences to successful creative practice and useful tools for its subsequent interpretation. Note: This course offers an undergraduate section under the number of ARTH 387. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 387, graduate standing, or instructor’s consent.

ARTH 732.  Independent Study in Art History   (1-3).

Work in specialized area of the study of art history. Directed readings and projects for graduate students in all disciplines. Prerequisite(s): instructor's consent.