Lisa Trever

Weekly Attendance and Participation in Class 10% Discussion Posts: 10% Exhibition review: 20% Mesoamerica Exam: 15% Exhibition review 2: 20% Final Exam: 25% You're given the artifact list for the midterm and final ~2 weeks before. There were about 70-80 pieces, which did feel like more than some other classes but not the largest I've seen. Two graduate student TAs graded the students. The exams weren't graded unfairly, but the midterm exam had a lower average. She then usually offers some kind of extra credit after this point.

We read and discussed several of the most important art history authors, including Morelli, Vasari, Panofsky, Schapiro and Wolfflin. I was glad to become acquainted with the new perspectives and methods of analysis that entailed.

This was my favorite course I have taken within the art history department. Both in the topic and layout of the course there was so much room to learn from Professor Trever, fellow classmates and the readings, that the course continued to be interesting week after week. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2023 Course: AHISUN3708_001_2023_3-BEYONDELDORADO : Beyond El Dorado-AHISUN3708_001_2023_3 - BEYOND EL DORADO Instructor: Lisa Trever

Lisa Trever is undeniably cool! In the lecture setting, she is exceptionally personable—especially as the semester progresses—and her lectures carry an air of sophistication reminiscent of what one would expect from an Ivy League art history professor. If you have the opportunity to visit her during office hours, I highly recommend doing so. One-on-one, she is incredibly pleasant, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. The course is an enriching exploration of the ancient art of Mesoamerica and the Andes. While the primary focus is on the art itself, we also delve into related areas such as the history, languages, and cultural contexts of these regions. The curriculum is well-rounded, incorporating diverse perspectives in art history, including methodologies, controversies, and interdisciplinary studies. We examine scholarly papers that intersect with anthropology, biology, and linguistics, providing a holistic understanding of the subject matter. This comprehensive approach not only enhances our appreciation of the artwork but also deepens our understanding of the intricate connections between art and various academic disciplines.

This course was so incredibly enlightening in introducing me to the multitude means by which art history can be evaluated and understood. It gave me a good idea of the challenges that face the study of art history in regards to its limitations and its interaction with other disciplines.

Two papers, discussion posts, midterm, exam. The final paper was due three days before the exam. It was a crushing work load for a course worth only 3 credits. Her grading is somewhere in between fair and punishing. She wants things done a certain way and doesn't seem to understand people who approach things differently. Her exams focus on identification to a fault - it's a baseball stat class. You have to waste time learning slide i.d. for Altar 1 vs. Altar 4 and so on, rather than delving into what is actually interesting about pre-Columbian art. I wish it were taught more like classes on Modern Art, Impressionism, etc. This is the worst art history class I have taken - it should be kept in archaeology. It's not a real art history class because her focus is so dry and data-oriented.

In this course, I learned about various methodological approaches to art history, including semiotics, iconography, and formal analysis, among others. These approaches equipped me with the tools to interpret and analyze artworks through different lenses. Additionally, I gained a broader understanding of art history in a global context, which allowed me to appreciate the diverse cultural influences on art throughout different periods and regions.

I expected this class to give an overview of pre-Columbian art and architecture with a focus on art. The professor's teaching style was didactic with a focus on minutiae. The content could have been interesting but she is very rigid and sucked the joy out of it.

n/a 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2024 Course: AHISUN3000_001_2024_1 : INTRO LIT/METHODS OF ART HIST-AHISUN3000_001_2024_1 - INTRO LIT/METHODS OF ART HIST Instructor: Lisa Trever

1 2-3 page visual analysis essay 1 6-7 page research essay Weekly discussion posts about assigned readings