A foundational interdisciplinary introduction to key historical developments in Western artistic practice and concepts from ancient times to present. Students critically engage artistic materials (paintings, music, theatrical scripts, etc) and writings of the various style periods, developing their ability to meaningfully experience, interpret, and articulate different approaches to the arts in relation to the changing ideas of Western culture. Students are encouraged to think critically, charitably, and divergently, exploring and evaluating how the arts were understood and written about in different periods, and investigating the relationship of past artistic ideas to contemporary ideas and practices. The format of the course includes lectures, readings, discussion, and individual investigative assignments and research projects. The course is delivered by an interdisciplinary teaching team. Students attend weekly lectures, and participate in one of four discussion groups.