Art History and Architecture

  • Affords Visits to NYC Museums and Galleries
  • Examines All Media
  • Explores Style, Movements, and Forms

These courses provide a forum for exploring the world of art—from ancient artifacts and ruins to contemporary painters and photographers. You will tour New York City’s renowned museums and galleries with art historians and museum professionals, as you develop an understanding of the history, cultural context, and aesthetics of art movements and trends.

This semester, study in-person or from anywhere in the world from the safety and comfort of your home through online or remote instruction.

Greeks and Romans Abroad: Art and Archaeology of the Greek Colonies and Roman Provinces

Examine Greek and Roman colonies and influences from the British Isles to Western Asia.

2023 Fall
1 section

Marketing and Community Engagement for the Arts

Learn what a nonprofit arts manager must know about the business of marketing the visual and performing arts.

2023 Fall
1 section

Old Masters and Mistresses of the Renaissance and the Baroque

Explore important female and male artists of the Renaissance and Baroque era.

2023 Fall
1 section

Before the Selfie: Six Hundred Years of Self-Portraits

Explore the fascinating history of self-portraits.

2023 Fall
1 section

The New York Art Scene

Explore New York City’s museums and galleries virtually to gain insight into the meaning of and inspiration for today’s art.

2023 Fall
3 sections

American Architecture and Urbanism

Explore 400-plus years of urban and suburban architecture in the United States.

2023 Fall
2 sections

The Shock of Abstraction: Changing the Future of Art

Explore the history and evolution of abstract art.

2023 Fall
1 section

Dishing the Dirt on Artists: From Renaissance to Modern Art

Learn about artists’ lives and famous artworks in this entertaining trip through art history.

2023 Fall
1 section

Art and Archaeology of Pompeii and its Environs

Learn about art and daily life in Pompeii and the Vesuvian region through the latest archaeological discoveries

Developing Connoisseurship: Learning to Look

Learn the art of connoisseurship, and gain an understanding of why one artist or painting is considered to be “better” than another.

New York City Through the Lens of Iconic Photographers

Explore the photographic history of New York City through the eyes of famous photographers

Art After 2/24/22: Ukraine, Russia, and the World

Explore the modern and contemporary art movements of Ukraine and Russia.

Art Deco New York Architecture: Exploring the Jazz-Age Metropolis

Explore New York City’s art deco architecture through Zoom lectures and guided walks.

Buddhism Illuminated: Illustrated Manuscripts from Southeast Asia

Discover the vibrant and beautiful art of Buddhist Southeast Asia through ancient manuscript illustrations.

How to Be Modern: From Paris to New York and Beyond

Examine modernism’s myriad styles and forms, as well as its diverse, shifting attitudes toward society and the mainstream.

Plein Air Painting From Turner to Marin

Explore open air paintings and sketches by famous artists.

Sculpture Through the Ages: Depictions of the Human Body

Explore how artists from the Paleolithic age to the 21st century depicted the human form through sculpture.

The Female Gaze: The Story of Women in Art

Explore the stories and art of famous women artists.

Art from the Age of Cathedrals: Medieval Art and Architecture

Explore the art and architecture of Western Europe from 500-1400 AD.

Celebrating Pablo Picasso

Explore Picasso’s masterpieces and lasting legacy as museums around the world commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death.

From the Buddha to Mandalas: How to Understand Buddhist Art

Explore the history of Buddhist art from its origins in India to tantric developments in the Himalayas.

The Art of Drawing: From Da Vinci to Degas

Explore the art of drawing through the works of famous...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Then and Now

Spend six weeks revisiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s galleries in creative new ways.

Touched by Fire: Van Gogh's Passion

Learn about van Gogh’s life, and discover the work of a self-taught artist who reached toward a world he could not hold but loved nonetheless.

21st Century Saudi Arabia: The Politics of Cultural Heritage Preservation

Explore the archeological sites of Saudi Arabia and their role in Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry today.

A History of Interiors: From Classical to Contemporary Design

Learn about the history of interior design and its evolution over time.

Cultural History of New York City From the Jazz Age To Post-War Modernism

Explore New York City’s cultural history from the 1910’s to the 1970’s through art, literature, and architecture.