Arts: Visual Arts   

Classical Greek art (5th C. BCE) reflects the idealism of the Athenians after finally defeating the Persians in 480. The rebuilding of Athens and the Acropolis temples and sculpture revealed “man as the measure of all things” (Protagoras), with “correct” mathematical ratios as they strived for perfection. But defeat by the Spartans later in the 5th century shifted the tone to a more naturalistic form, softer and more individualistic. With the rise of Alexander the Great at the end of the 4th century, Greek art became even more realistic and dramatically expressive, as it reflected their now-widening world. We will look at examples from architecture, sculpture, pottery, and painting to trace the culmination and decline of ancient Greek art. This is a lecture course, lavishly illustrated with PowerPoint images. Questions are welcome, but it is not a discussion class. It is not necessary to have taken Part 1 of the course, as there will be an introduction and review of earlier Greek art.

Your expensive iPhone is good for a lot more than just snapshots, text, and talking. Do you know you can use it to create high-resolution art, starting with your own iPhone photographs? Explore new image-making possibilities by using simple tools to shoot, edit, and make mobile photos and artwork. The instructor will guide you through the use of two free image editors—Snapseed and Union—and offer hands-on introduction to the features of the powerful app, Camera+ Pro Camera and Editor. These tools will help turn your iPhone into a virtual DSLR camera. Students will have out-of-class shooting and editing assignments that they will debrief each week with a learning partner. Class time will offer demonstrations, review of student images, and Q and A. Enjoy hands-on instruction; build a local learning community; and make images you’re proud to display, publish, or sell. This class assumes students know the basics of using the iPhone camera and how to obtain and download apps from the Apple App Store. 

NOTE: The social learning aspects of the rapid-instructional model used for this class require that all participants attend all five sessions. Please bear this in mind when registering.

Do you know that you can be more creative with your camera if you move beyond the automatic mode? This course is for anyone who wants to learn about the fundamentals of photography. We’ll cover the “rules” of composition and the three sides of the exposure triangle: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, learning how to apply them to open the door to more creative photography. Each week we’ll learn about one concept and get an assignment to create a photograph outside of class that demonstrates use of that concept. Photos will be emailed to the instructor before the next class and then viewed and discussed the following week. 

NOTE: Students must have a manually adjustable, digital camera (not a phone camera), be familiar with its basic operations, and be willing to read the manual.

The eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD was a disaster for the region, burying towns including Pompeii and Herculaneum. It was also a gift for those who came later and sought to understand how Roman cities functioned. This course differs from the one taught in 2020 in format and focus, as well as in presenting more recent archaeology and scholarship. In the lectures and discussions, we will explore materials recovered from areas covered by Vesuvius’ lava and ash. Our goal will be to understand how architectural remains, ranging from temples to brothels, lavishly frescoed walls to graffiti, can inform our understanding of how people from all social classes lived in the early Roman empire. No previous knowledge of Roman culture is required. The contributions of all students are valued, including those who took this course in 2020.