Section Info: ARTH-290AN-01

Course Title: Issues in Art History: 'The Garden in the Ancient World'

Start Date: 01/27/2026 End Date: 05/12/2026

Term: Spring Semester 2026

Description: Drawing on the literature, art, and archaeology of gardens, this course investigates the nature and experience of gardens and gardening, from antiquity to the present day. How have humans conceived of the garden as paradise; a site for philosophy and religion; a space for solace, inspiration, and desire; and a setting for labor, conquest, and resistance? Grounded in readings from antiquity -- ranging from the Sumerian Hymn to Ninurta, Homer, Sappho, Vergil, Horace, Columella, and Augustine (all in translation) -- and complemented by later historical perspectives, from Jane Austen to Jamaica Kincaid, this course analyzes multiple conceptions and expressions of beauty, power, and love-in the garden.

Distribution(s): I - Humanities , TP - Topics Course

Academic Level Of Course: Undergraduate

Credits:4.00

Faculty	Phone	Email address
Nicole Brown		nicolebrown@mtholyoke.edu

Meeting Dates	Method	Meeting days	Meeting times	Building name	Room	Frequency
01/27/2026 - 05/12/2026	Seminar	Monday and Wednesday	01:45PM - 03:00PM	TBA	TBA	Weekly

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Requisite Courses
None

Comments

Additional Comments

Taught in English.

Course Tags
NOPRI0001		Used to identify non-primary sides of crosslisted courses for Workday conversion

Cross-listed Sections

CLAS-250AW-01 Garden in the Ancient World

ARTH-290AN-01 Garden in the Ancient World

Course Availability
Section status: Waitlisted	Capacity: 28	Enrollment: 28	Available: 0	Waitlist: 5

Please note: The "Available" count will equal 0 in a Waitlisted course where spaces in the course have recently opened and students have not yet been moved into them from the waitlist.

BOOK INFORMATION

Book List	Required	Publisher Full Price
To be determined.

Additional Book Comments

This is NOT the complete book list for this class.