Academic Catalogs

ARTH G100: Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/04/2025
Top Code 100200 - Art
Units 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours 54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours 108
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)
Local General Education (GE)
  • Area 3 Arts and Humanities (GC)
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
  • Cal-GETC 3A Arts (3A)
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC)
  • IGETC 3A Arts (3A)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)
  • CSU C1 Arts (C1)

Course Description

Formerly: ART G105, Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Middle Ages. This course introduces students to visual art and architecture from prehistory to the medieval era with a focus on art from Europe, North Africa, and the near East. The course will further consider global interactions involving these regions. The influence of social, cultural, political, religious, and historical contexts on art and architecture will also be discussed. Common Course Number: ARTH C1100. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC. C-ID: ARTH 110.C-ID: ARTH 110.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Explain key concepts behind examples of art and architecture from several major cultures from prehistory through the medieval era.
  2. Analyze the historical, religious, political, cultural, and social contexts that influenced the art and architecture of prehistory through the medieval era.
  3. Use art historical terminology as it relates to the art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era.

Course Objectives

  • Identify, examine, and assess representative works of art and architecture from prehistory to the medieval era employing appropriate art historical terminology.
  • Analyze works of art and architecture in terms of aesthetic, socio-political, religious, historical, technological, and cultural contexts in which they were created.
  • Develop critical thinking, information literacy, and problem solving through an engagement with art, architecture, artists, and patrons from prehistory to the medieval era.
  • Differentiate between the art and architecture of key cultures from prehistory through the medieval era.
  • Identify the historical, religious, political, cultural, and social origins and manifestations of art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era.
  • Analyze the form and content of art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era.
  • Discuss works of art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era in terms of their historical context and cultural framework.
  • Identify the techniques and materials used to create various examples of art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era.
  • Recall art historical terminology when analyzing art and architecture from prehistory through the medieval era.

Lecture Content

This course critically examines the art and architecture of the following periods with an integration of history, theory, aesthetics, and cross-cultural connections:

  1. Prehistory, visual analysis before writing
  2. Mesopotamia
  3. Ancient Egypt
  4. Ancient Aegean cultures
  5. Ancient Greece
  6. Etruria
  7. Ancient Rome
  8. Contextualizing Monotheism
    1. Judaism
    2. Early Christianity
    3. Early Islam
  9. Byzantine
  10. Medieval 

Additional Topics:

  1. Introduction to the Discipline of Art History
  2. Ancient Greece
    1. Archaic, Early Classical, High Classical, Late Classical, and Hellenistic Periods
    2. Temple Art and Architecture
  3. Ancient Rome
    1. The Etruscans
    2. Pompeii
    3. Temple Art and Architecture
  4. Byzantium
    1. Icons and Mosaics
  5. The Islamic World
    1. Mosque Art and Architecture
  6. The Early Medieval Period
    1. Illuminated Manuscripts
    2. The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings
    3. Carolingian and Ottonian Empires
  7. Romanesque Europe
    1. Cathedral Art and Architecture
    2. Relics and Pilgrimages
  8. Gothic Europe
    1. Cathedral Art and Architecture
    2. Stained Glass and Luxury Arts

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

-

Reading Assignments

Textbook and supplementary articles, handouts, etc. provided by Instructor.

Writing Assignments

Short answer and essay assessments, research projects, visual analysis exercises, museum-based assignments, and/or written assignments based on assigned readings, class discussions, and/or analysis of artworks.

Out-of-class Assignments

Additional assigned readings, articles, and handouts provided by Instructor. Discussion posts, written reflections, short answer and essay assessments, museum-based assignments, research projects, and/or visual analysis exercises.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam
  • Short Quizzes
  • Written Assignments
  • Essay Examinations
  • Objective Examinations
  • Report
  • Projects (Individual/Group)
  • Problem Solving Exercises
  • Oral Presentations

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Students will conduct research and compose essays that analyze and compare various examples of art and architecture. Students will discuss individual works of art and architecture from historical and aesthetic perspectives as well as conduct visual analyses. Students will engage with relevant museum collections to make critical assessments connected to course content.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Research various topics related to the art and architecture of prehistory to the medieval era to compose written reflections, essays, discussion posts, visual analysis exercises and/or museum-based assignments. Written assignments based on readings, class discussions, and/or analysis of artworks.

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: H. W. Janson. History of Art. Pearson (2016 (Classic)).
  • Textbook: Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: The Western Perspective, Volume 1. Cengage (2021).
  • Textbook: Fred S. Kleiner. Gardner's Art Through the Ages: A Global History, Volume 1. Cengage (2020).
  • Textbook: Marilyn Stokstad. Art History, Volume 1. Pearson (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: N/A. Smarthistory’s (Khan Academy) materials/books (available online and to print out for free). (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: N/A. Smarthistory OER Commons. (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: N/A. Smarthistory Reframing Art History (global perspectives) open access. (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: Gustlin and Gustlin. Libretexts, Introduction to Art History, A World Perspective of Art History. (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: N/A. Met Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. (2025).
  • Open Education Resource: Cerise Myers, Ellen C. Caldwell, Alice J. Taylor, Margaret Phelps, and Lisa Soccio. Introduction to Art History I. (2022).
  • Other: . . ().

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Art history: Master’s degree in art history, history of art and architecture, or visual culture/visual studies OR bachelor’s degree in art history and master’s degree in history OR master’s degree in art with a recorded emphasis or concentration in art history OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.