Undergraduate Program

Fall Term Schedule

Fall 2026

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
ATHS 163-01 Introduction to Art & Architecture of South Asia Nader Sayadi MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM
This course is a survey of courtly art and monumental architecture in South Asia from 2500 BCE to the present. It spends some time exploring where, when, why, and for whom these examples of art and architecture were made to understand what they mean in their historical and geographical contexts. This course is also designed to help improve students’ “visual literacy” by looking at the art and architecture of South Asia. Students will develop their analytical skills by comparing and contrasting formal, spatial, and material aspects of artifacts and structures in discussions during the lectures and assignments at home. They will also develop their critical thinking and research skills through weekly readings and semester research projects. By the end of the course, students will not only have a clear sense of South Asian art and architecture in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic contexts but will also be able to “see” and perceive objects and buildings of their multicultural world in a different light. Location (MW 12:30PM - 1:45PM)
ATHS 167-01 Who Owns the Past? Archaeology, Museums, and Politics in the 21st Century Elizabeth Colantoni MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM
As the recent destruction of the archaeological site of Palmyra in Syria and the removal of Confederate statues in New Orleans show, historical objects, monuments, and sites are not relegated to the past; instead, they are the building blocks of modern identities and politics. This course examines current issues concerning the ownership, protection, and presentation of cultural heritage, including particularly archaeological and historical objects, monuments, and sites. The course begins with introductory information about archaeology, museum studies, and cultural heritage law. We then consider such questions as: Who decides what cultural heritage is significant? Who should determine how archaeological and historical sites are presented to the public? Should private individuals be allowed to purchase objects of historical or archaeological significance? What moral and ethical responsibilities do museums have? Who owns cultural objects taken in the context of warfare? Location (MW 3:25PM - 4:40PM)
ATHS 185-01 Introduction to the Art and Architecture of the Near East Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer MW 6:15PM - 7:30PM
The Ancient Near East, a geographical and historical region encompassing the cultures that flourished in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin and what is now the Middle East, is best known for the development of agriculture, the rise of complex societies, and the establishment of powerful empires. In this introductory course, we will explore the major architectural and artistic developments that accompanied these societal accomplishments in Mesopotamia, Persia, the Levant, and Anatolia. We start our investigation when writing was invented in the region, ca. 3300 BCE, and end with the arrival of Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. The course adopts a regional approach and provides a basic understanding of the contextual factors—geography, religious beliefs, and social-political structures—that influenced artistic production. Location (MW 6:15PM - 7:30PM)
ATHS 280-01 The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Theatre Justin Dwyer MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM
This course examines traditions of ancient Greek and Roman theatre through its rich material record. It will draw on figurines, frescoes, mosaics, inscriptions, illuminated manuscripts, theatre structures, and victory monuments, and explore interdisciplinary methodologies from classics, art history, and archaeology. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of ancient drama and its representation in the material record, a diverse skillset for exploring how ancient texts and objects can inform one another, and an appreciation of the lasting impact that dramatic monuments have on subsequent art and architecture. Location (MW 2:00PM - 3:15PM)
ATHS 393-02 Senior Thesis – 7:00PM - 7:00PM
Registration for Independent Study courses needs to be completed through the instructions for online independent study registration. Location ( 7:00PM - 7:00PM)

Number	Title	Instructor	Time
Monday and Wednesday
ATHS 163-01 Introduction to Art & Architecture of South Asia Nader Sayadi
This course is a survey of courtly art and monumental architecture in South Asia from 2500 BCE to the present. It spends some time exploring where, when, why, and for whom these examples of art and architecture were made to understand what they mean in their historical and geographical contexts. This course is also designed to help improve students’ “visual literacy” by looking at the art and architecture of South Asia. Students will develop their analytical skills by comparing and contrasting formal, spatial, and material aspects of artifacts and structures in discussions during the lectures and assignments at home. They will also develop their critical thinking and research skills through weekly readings and semester research projects. By the end of the course, students will not only have a clear sense of South Asian art and architecture in Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic contexts but will also be able to “see” and perceive objects and buildings of their multicultural world in a different light.
ATHS 280-01 The Art and Archaeology of Ancient Theatre Justin Dwyer
This course examines traditions of ancient Greek and Roman theatre through its rich material record. It will draw on figurines, frescoes, mosaics, inscriptions, illuminated manuscripts, theatre structures, and victory monuments, and explore interdisciplinary methodologies from classics, art history, and archaeology. Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of ancient drama and its representation in the material record, a diverse skillset for exploring how ancient texts and objects can inform one another, and an appreciation of the lasting impact that dramatic monuments have on subsequent art and architecture.
ATHS 167-01 Who Owns the Past? Archaeology, Museums, and Politics in the 21st Century Elizabeth Colantoni
As the recent destruction of the archaeological site of Palmyra in Syria and the removal of Confederate statues in New Orleans show, historical objects, monuments, and sites are not relegated to the past; instead, they are the building blocks of modern identities and politics. This course examines current issues concerning the ownership, protection, and presentation of cultural heritage, including particularly archaeological and historical objects, monuments, and sites. The course begins with introductory information about archaeology, museum studies, and cultural heritage law. We then consider such questions as: Who decides what cultural heritage is significant? Who should determine how archaeological and historical sites are presented to the public? Should private individuals be allowed to purchase objects of historical or archaeological significance? What moral and ethical responsibilities do museums have? Who owns cultural objects taken in the context of warfare?
ATHS 185-01 Introduction to the Art and Architecture of the Near East Rozenn Bailleul-LeSuer
The Ancient Near East, a geographical and historical region encompassing the cultures that flourished in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Basin and what is now the Middle East, is best known for the development of agriculture, the rise of complex societies, and the establishment of powerful empires. In this introductory course, we will explore the major architectural and artistic developments that accompanied these societal accomplishments in Mesopotamia, Persia, the Levant, and Anatolia. We start our investigation when writing was invented in the region, ca. 3300 BCE, and end with the arrival of Alexander the Great in 332 BCE. The course adopts a regional approach and provides a basic understanding of the contextual factors—geography, religious beliefs, and social-political structures—that influenced artistic production.