Art History
8 courses · Napa Valley College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
ARTH-C1100 Survey of Art From Prehistory to the Medieval Era
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course introduces students to visual art and architecture from prehistory to the medieval era with a focus on art from Europe, North Africa, and the near East. The course will further consider global interactions involving these regions. Formerly known as ARTH 105.
ARTH-C1200 Survey of Art From the Renaissance to Contemporary
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course provides an overview of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the contemporary period with a focus on art from Europe. The course will further consider global interactions involving this region. This course is required for Studio Arts and Art History majors. Formerly known as ARTH 106.
ARTH-101 Introduction to Visual Culture
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
Examination and analysis of visual material, from paintings and sculpture to graphic design, movies, and other contemporary media. Focus will be on how images and objects communicated ideas in the past and continue to shape contemporary experience.
ARTH-110 History of Graphic Design
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
From the print revolution to the digital world, this course covers the ways in which societies have communicated using text and image.
ARTH-118 Survey of Modern Art
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course covers the major historical and formal developments of Modernism in art, architecture and design from the mid-nineteenth-century to the present.
ARTH-130 History of Asian Art
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This is a survey of Asian art, looking specifically at India, China, Korea and Japan from the prehistoric period to the present. The course will focus on objects, images, and monuments and their role in the religious, political and social contexts in which they were made.
ARTH-145 Art of the Ancient Americas
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
A survey of the visual culture of select ancient civilizations of Mexico, Central America, and South America prior to European contact. Material covered will include how architecture, sculpture, textiles and ceramics function in their specific historic contexts.
ARTH-180 History of Photography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 hours lecture; 54 hours total
- Advisory
- Completion of ENGL-C1000 or ENGL-120B with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement.
- Transfers to
- UC, CSU
This course examines the history of photography from its beginnings to the present. Emphasized will be the medium's technical, artistic and social impact.