Architectural Studies 164 - North American Art and Architecture

(Offered at ARHA 164 and ARCH 164) This introductory course addresses the history of North American art and architecture, broadly defined. Our investigation will encompass a wide range of objects and makers across the continent, with particular attention to local collections and histories. Through thematic units, we will situate key works of art and architecture in relation to social, political, and ecological change. Topics may include Indigenous and settler approaches to mapping, the role of art in the abolitionist movement, artistic exchanges across ocean worlds, the visual culture of national parks, and the construction of skyscrapers. In the classroom, we will enrich our study of the visual world by engaging with primary texts and recent scholarship, and in nearby collections, we will encounter key works firsthand. Although we will focus on the period between European colonization and the Second World War, our conversation will return frequently to the present, as we interrogate the role of art and architecture in shaping contemporary North America.

Limited to 25 students. Fall 2025: Visiting Assistant Professor Fein.

How to handle overenrollment: Priority to ARHA and ARCH majors and Five College ARCH majors

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: An emphasis on visual analysis, readings, written work, lectures, in-class discussions, field trips, and exams.