This course provides a survey of art history from the Paleolithic era through the Proto-Renaissance period, with an emphasis on visual analysis and the relationship between artists and society. It is a writing-intensive course requiring multiple writing assignments. Students will identify and analyze works of art, place them in historical context, and expand their art vocabulary. Evaluation includes discussion posts, assignments, reading quizzes, exams, and a research project. The course covers major periods and regions of art including Ancient Near East, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Early Christian, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic.