Works of art play a vital role in shaping both our physical environment and our sense of cultural identity. In this course, students will trace the history of art and architecture as they have developed in Europe and North America over the past 500 years. As an introductory course, this class is designed to develop those skills necessary to analyze and discuss artifacts in the broadest possible context. With an emphasis on both formal and historical analysis, we will consider the evolution of art in relation to political ideologies, religious beliefs, social norms, economic patterns, technological developments, aesthetic values and stylistic trends. We will also explore the processes by which certain objects attain special status within different societies. Finally, by focusing on both the production and reception of art, this course is intended to raise questions concerning the significance of visual culture within our own lives.