ARTH 372: History of Western Art I

History of Western Art I surveys the Western visual art tradition from prehistory through the Middle Ages, comparing cultural and aesthetic values across regions.

What ARTH 372 covers

(Formerly ARTH 370.) A survey of the development of the Western tradition of visual art in its various forms that examines and compares the expression of cultural and aesthetic values in different parts of the Western world from prehistory through the Middle Ages.

The objective is to apply principles of visual literacy; describe, analyze, and contextualize content and elements of art; and differentiate historic periods and styles of art.

Typical ARTH 372 assignments

Expect an assignment requiring you to describe, analyze, and contextualize a specific work of Western art from the covered period, applying visual literacy principles.

Key topics in ARTH 372

• Prehistory through Middle Ages Western art
• Visual literacy principles
• Contextualizing art historical content
• Differentiating historic periods and styles

Writing tips for ARTH 372

Follow the assignment instructions and rubric line by line

UMGC assignments for ARTH 372 are graded against a specific rubric or grading criteria your instructor provides — every requirement has to be visibly addressed. Skipping a requirement because it seems minor is one of the most common reasons a strong submission loses points.

Ground every analysis in specific works, not general impressions

Analysis-based courses like ARTH 372 expect claims to be tied to specific works, artists, films, or performances — not general impressions of a genre or era. Name the piece, describe the concrete visual or narrative element, and connect it to the concept being assessed.

Use the discipline's own vocabulary, not casual description

ARTH 372 is graded on whether you can apply the field's specific critical vocabulary (composition, visual literacy, cinematic technique, or the equivalent) — a review that just says a piece "looks good" or a film "was interesting" without naming the actual elements at work usually loses points.

Why students seek help with ARTH 372

Students sometimes describe a work's subject matter without contextualizing it within its specific historic period and style, which ARTH 372 explicitly requires — the rubric typically wants that period/style differentiation shown.

How GradeEssays helps with ARTH 372

Share your ARTH 372 assignment and rubric, and your writer will help you build a contextualized analysis of your chosen work.

Prerequisites and course context

ARTH 372 has no prerequisites and was formerly numbered ARTH 370. It is itself a natural precursor to ARTH 373 (History of Western Art II), though not a formal prerequisite. Note: students may receive credit for only one of ARTH 370 or ARTH 372.

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