Seven Doubts About Methodology In Art History You Should Clarify

December 27, 2019

There are many different schools of thought in art history, and each one has its own methodology in writing about the past. However, there is a common theme running through all schools that emphasize a critical approach to interpreting art – that there is an artistic truth about the work, that it tells something about society and culture at large, and that artists have an important role to play in educating the public. Those who teach this method argue that art must be examined as a social science – that is, a science of the artist's subjectivity, and the workings of his or her mind. Students of this theory learn how to think about art, what methods are used to understand it, and how to express it creatively in the form of art.

The first lesson in Islamic Art History is taught by Ismail El-Rafee, an art history professor at the University of Illinois at Champaign. This class is taught in the Department of Religious Studies. Dr. El-Rafee teaches a basic introduction to religious studies as it relates to the world of art history, with an emphasis on the works of great Islamic artists. This class will also explore the nature of Islamic law, the effects of European colonization on the rise of Islam, and how Islamic law differs from traditional criminal justice systems in the western world. Students in this class will also learn how Islamic art relates to other disciplines such as education, literature, sociology, politics, anthropology, and history.

The second major lecture in Islamic Art History is taught by Dr. Mustafa A. El-Rafee, in Urdu Language and Literature, Department of History and Politics, George Warren College. This class is in the History of Law and Civil Society, and focuses on the relationship between Islamic law and civil society. Dr. El-Rafee utilizes historical documentation, including literary works, Islamic writings, and official documents to teach students the differences between Islamic and Western legal systems. This class will also introduce students to Persian Gulf War I and the Gulf War II. Students in this class will also gain an understanding of the role that women played during these conflicts.

The third lecture in Islamic Art History covers the French Revolution. This lecture focuses on the social milieu of the period and how religion became a symbol of social conflict during this period. Students will gain an in-depth historical context through this course studies, and learn how religious sentiment affected the development of modern France. Students in this course study concepts such as government, nationality, ethnicity, nationalities, and gender during the revolutionary period.

The fourth lecture is a discussion on the work of Michelangelo. Students will learn how this artist transformed the fusion of ancient and modern aesthetics. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of the artistic value of the master artist. The use of this specific medium is explored, and a comparison between this medium and other arts is made. A summary of the themes discussed during this lecture is included as well as an overview of the author.

The fifth lecture in Islamic Art History, entitled “The Creative Destruction of Art”, is assigned to Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In this Dr. Topics lecture, students will examine the impact of Neoclassicism and Expressionism on the early 20th century art scene. The focus in this class is on how this particular era was defined by artists whose works were violently received by the public. The class will also explore the social and political influences upon these artists. Prerequisites for this course are the completion of the prescribed number of credit hours for the Dr. Topics prerequisite for students with a Bachelor's degree.

The sixth lecture in Islamic Art History, entitled “Medina and the Making of Modern Art”, is the seventh of the ten required units in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in the field of History and Politics. This course is a prerequisite for students seeking to take the examination for the Doctorate in History. In this lecture, students will be introduced to the role that art plays in contemporary political life. We will be introduced to the historical periods when art flourished. We will also explore some of the key players in the debate between freedom and security. Prerequisites for this course are the completion of the five credit hours required for the Dr. Topics prerequisite for students with a Bachelor's degree.

The final lecture in Islamic Art History, entitled “Medina and the Making of Modern Art”, is the last of the ten required units in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in the field of History and Politics. This class is a prerequisite for students pursuing a doctorate in this discipline. Students will be introduced to the concept of modernity. The course will also explore the role that medicine, literature and the visual arts had in the shaping of modern attitudes towards government, war and gender issues. Prerequisites for this course are the completion of the five credit hours required for the Dr. electives prerequisite for students with a Bachelor's degree.