Art History Survey 1 is an introductory course that examines art and architecture from prehistory through the Gothic period. It asks not only what works look like, but also who made or commissioned them and why. A survey moves across many centuries and cultures, so you’ll practice connecting individual objects to larger historical and religious contexts. You’ll also learn a way to look closely at art, even if you’ve never studied it before.
What is Art History Survey 1?
A survey is a broad introduction rather than an in-depth study of a single artist or movement. You might examine a prehistoric cave painting, an Egyptian pyramid, a Roman portrait and a Gothic cathedral while asking how each served its community.
The course combines chronology with interpretation. Dates help you place a work in time, while materials, visual style, patronage and religious or political context help explain its meaning. For a broader chronological overview, see the history of art timeline.
What is the Art History Survey 1 syllabus?
The UPI Study Art History 1 course begins with introductory concepts and prehistoric art, then moves through ancient and medieval traditions. Its syllabus below lists the chapters, lessons and estimated hours, including time for the assignment and final exam.
| # | Chapter | Lessons | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction | Common Questions about Dates; A Beginner's Guide to the History of Western Culture; Patronage and the Status of the Artist | 3 |
| 2 | The Birth of Art | Prehistoric Art: Paleolithic Origins; Paleolithic Art Explained; The Neolithic Revolution; Jericho | 3 |
| 3 | The Ancient Near East | Ancient Near East; Sumerian Art; The Invention of Writing; Ziggurat of Ur | 3 |
| 4 | The Art of Ancient Egypt | Ancient Egypt; Egyptian Art; Materials & Techniques; The Great Pyramids of Giza | 3 |
| 5 | The Art of Ancient Greece—Part I | The Early Aegean (3000–700 BCE) | 1 |
| 6 | The Art of Ancient Greece—Part II | Petra: An Introduction; Petra: Rock Cut Facades; Petra: Urban Metropolis | 2 |
| 7 | The Art of the Etruscans | Etruscan Art; Sarcophagus of the Spouses; Etruscan Necropolises; Etruscan Art Explained by the Met | 2 |
| 8 | The Art of Ancient Rome—Part I | Augustus of Primaporta; Ara Pacis | 1 |
| 9 | The Art of Ancient Rome—Part II | Hadrian's Villa; Column of Trajan; Equestrian Sculpture of Marcus Aurelius; Arch of Constantine | 2 |
| 10 | Early Christian Art | Introduction to Early Christianity; Early Christian Art; After Constantine; Santa Maria Antiqua Sarcophagus | 3 |
| 11 | Early Medieval, Carolingian, and Ottonian Art | Early Medieval Art; Fibulae; Sutton Hoo Ship Burial; Medieval Manuscripts | 4 |
| 12 | Byzantine Art | Iconoclasm; Hagia Sophia | 2 |
| 13 | The Arts of the Islamic World | Introduction to Islamic Art; Mosque Architecture; The Early Period; Dome of the Rock | 4 |
| 14 | Romanesque Art | Introduction to Romanesque Art; Pilgrimage Routes; Church Architecture; Abbaye of Fontenay | 3 |
| 15 | Gothic Art | Gothic Architecture; Southwell Minister; Salisbury Cathedral; Blanche of Castile | 2 |
| ASSIGNMENT | 5 | ||
| FINAL EXAM | 2 |
As you move through the periods, look for changes in materials, subjects and functions. For example, a Roman imperial portrait and a medieval manuscript can both communicate authority, but they do so through different forms and settings.
Is Art History Survey 1 hard?
It can be challenging because the survey covers a long span of time and asks you to recognize unfamiliar works and terms. The challenge is not just remembering names: you also need to explain how visual details support an interpretation.
- Study images alongside their titles, periods and cultural contexts instead of memorizing dates alone.
- Compare works from different periods, noting differences in material, pose, space and purpose.
- Practice describing what you see before reading an interpretation.
- Review regularly and use flashcards to test understanding, not just recognition.
Your experience will depend on your familiarity with history, visual vocabulary and analytical writing. For help distinguishing styles, see art movements explained.
The Complete Resource for Art History
UPI Study has a full resource page built specifically for art history — covering which courses count and how to get started at $250 per course with no deadlines. Your college decides how credits transfer.
See Art History 1 →How do you write a visual analysis in art history?
Start by identifying the work and describing its visible features: subject, materials, composition, color, scale and use of space. Then explain how particular features contribute to an effect or meaning, and connect that interpretation to relevant historical context.
For example, a visual analysis of the Augustus of Primaporta could describe the emperor’s raised arm and idealized body. You might argue that these features present him as an authoritative leader, then connect that observation to the political role of imperial portraiture. Support the claim with details from the work rather than treating your first impression as proof.
Why study art history?
Art history helps you understand how people have expressed beliefs, displayed power and shaped spaces in different societies. It also builds habits of careful observation and evidence-based interpretation that can be useful in other humanities subjects.
If you’re taking the course for a degree requirement, check how your college classifies it before enrolling. The guide to art history as a humanities requirement explains what to look for.
Which colleges list Art History 1 on an equivalency chart?
These colleges show Art History 1 (ART 101) on their equivalency charts with UPI Study. Open a college for its full chart.
| College | Equivalent course | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSU | Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Crestpoint | General Education – Humanities | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Dunlap-Stone | General Education Humanities | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Gracelyn | General education: Broad Knowledge and Intellectual Skills (Humanities) | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Indiana Tech | HUM 2520 – Art Appreciation | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Maestro | UPI Recommended | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Newlane | Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
| Nexford | CUL2300 Cultural Aesthetic Understanding | 3 | Recommended by UPI Study — the college confirms on evaluation |
See the rest of the equivalency on the Art History 1 course page, or open a college above for its full chart. ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Art History
Art history is the study of artworks and architecture in relation to the people and cultures that produced them. It considers visual features, materials, makers, patrons and historical context.
Art history in college typically involves studying artworks and buildings through images, historical sources and visual analysis. A survey class introduces a broad range of periods, while other classes may focus on a particular culture, medium or era.
Art history is generally considered a humanities subject because it studies human expression and cultural meaning. A college decides how a particular course counts toward its own requirements.
Begin with close observation of features such as composition, materials, scale and subject. Explain how those details support your interpretation, then consider relevant historical context.
Art can provide evidence about the beliefs, practices and power structures of the people who made and used it. It should be interpreted alongside its context and other sources, since an artwork may present an idealized or selective view.
Art history often allows for more than one interpretation, provided each is supported by evidence. It still requires precision: claims should be grounded in visual details and historical context rather than preference alone.
Final Thoughts on Art History
Start by reviewing the syllabus and choosing a few works from different periods to compare. If you need the course for a particular requirement, ask your college how it would evaluate the credit before enrolling.
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Skip step 3 and the whole thing is wasted.
Ready to Earn College Credit?
Credit recommended by NCCRS · Self-paced · Your college decides how credits transfer · $250/course or $99/month (US)
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