Richmond, The American International University in London

This program is accredited by Richmond, The American International University in London. The University is an independent, non-profit international university of liberal arts and professional studies. It is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition to the U.S. degree granting authority, it has U.K. taught degree awarding powers granted by the U.K. Privy Council. It is the first university in the U.K. to have dual degree awarding powers.

Academic Overview and Policies

Attendance at all lectures and site visits is mandatory.

Grades No AIFS participant is permitted to take a course without receiving a letter grade. Pass/Fail grade options are not available.

Transcripts are issued by Richmond, The American International University in London. An official transcript will be sent directly to the student’s home university on completion of the program.

Course Description

AVC 4400 (3 credits)
European Art and Architecture

The course, through lectures and site visits, concentrates on the major contributions of Western Europe to world art and architecture. In terms of architecture, visits to sites of Roman antiquity frame a discussion of classical beginnings, which then moves onto the important and unique contributions of England, France and Italy (Florence and Rome in particular). In terms of painting, although there is some discussion of Classical and Medieval precedents, the focus is on the Italian Early Renaissance in Florence, Venice and Rome, especially the High Renaissance and Baroque periods. The course also considers Dutch and English Art with emphasis on the master works of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The course analyzes major European movements, including Romanticism, Post-Impressionism, Surrealism, Modernism and Post-Modernism, placing these artistic developments in the wider cultural, social and intellectual context of the periods and places in which they took place. The course includes numerous museum and site visits and all fees are included.

Three semester credits are recommended for course work on this program, consisting of approximately 30 hours of formal class work and 50 hours on field trips. It gives a general introduction to the European contribution to world culture and civilization, and demonstrates the meaning and significance of art and architecture as a prime source of influence on western civilization. Students are responsible for reading and analyzing assigned material after the related topics have been explained. To meet requirements for 3 semester credits, students must submit a 2,000-word special topics paper together with in-course tests and class papers. The program leader is a European specialist in art and architectural history approved by Richmond.

Lectures enhance and make site visits more meaningful and, by providing an overview, enable students to select areas or topics of special interest for more extensive research.