This course will study the creation of art from Paleolithic times through to the mid-twentieth century, with a non-exclusive focus on European and American practices. Along the way, it will seek to challenge traditional narratives—especially default assumptions about gender and male artistic genius—and question our inherited approaches, while integrating the work of artists and cultures that have long been sidelined owing to modern biases rather than historical fact.

4.601 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

Required for doctoral students in HTC as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. Prior to candidacy, doctoral students are required to write and orally defend a proposal laying out the scope of their thesis, its significance, a survey of existing research and literature, the methods of research to be adopted, a bibliography and plan of work. Work is done in consultation with HTC Faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program guidelines.