Art History Year 1

Description

High School Art History Year 1

For Autumn 2026

What subject integrates history, anthropology, theology, archaeology, and literature, all while developing critical thinking and visual analysis skills?  Art history!  Taught from a Christian perspective, you get church history and worldview study inherently thrown in.  Art history is the ultimate connect-the-dots discipline, synthesising learning across multiple fields.  By studying artworks within the context of the cultures that produced them, students gain a well-rounded knowledge of the past, encouraging thoughtful understanding and aiding clear reflection on the present. 

Age: 11+

Day & Time: Thursdays 2:30-4 pm UK Timezone (Two 40-minute sessions with a short break in the middle.)

Location: Zoom Meeting

Tutor: Susan Murray

Required Materials:  

• The Master and His Apprentices textbook (digital version)
• Group license fee for digital workbook (£2 per student, included in the price of the course)

Art History Year 1 Course Highlights

• Learn about art in the context of biblical history from Creation to the Early Church
• Learn the skill of visual interpretation
• Gain insight into ancient cultures via the visual arts
• Understand the role of art as both a reflection of and an influencer of society

Art History Year 1 Course Objectives & Outcomes

Art History I is designed to give students a solid foundation in the history of art from creation to the early church.  Beginning with Noah’s ark, this course covers the Ancient Near East, Egyptian, Aegean, Early Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Byzantine, and Early Medieval periods.  By the end of the course, students should be able to visually recognise art styles associated with each era, explain each culture’s defining characteristics, and show big picture understanding of the impact of worldview on art.   

An interactive classroom allows students to fully engage with this fascinating material via group discussion and visual aids.  To encourage independent exploration, students will undertake a research project each semester on a relevant topic of their own choosing, with full support given as to how to achieve this.  The balance of teacher-led discussion with student-driven research creates an opportunity for your child to flourish in a Christian environment that is informative and challenging yet creative and enjoyable.

Add Art History Year 1 to your yearly plan and look forward to seeing your child connect the dots!

Art History Curriculum Samples

We have chosen The Master and His Apprentices as our Art History curriculum, as it allows for exploring art from a Christ-centered perspective.  Samples of the textbook are here.   This class will use the digital format of the textbook.

Art History Year 2 is planned for 2027-28. It will carry on from the Middle Ages and complete the textbook.

What families are saying about Arise Art classes:

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“[Our daughter] really enjoyed it and she found your teaching was very clear and helpful!” ~ UK Home Ed. Parent

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“Our daughter has really enjoyed the Arts and Literature courses so far. She finds them both interesting and challenging, which we, as parents, see as the ideal zone for growth. The structure and accountability have been really helpful, and we’ve noticed her growing in her ability to write clearly, organise her thoughts, and work more independently. We also love the Christian worldview woven into the courses—it creates a safe, supportive environment for her to learn and grow.”

~UK Home Ed Family

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More Art Resources

• Introduction to Art: Art Studio Year 1 is the companion course offering hands-on art lessons for students 11+.
• Navigating Online High School Art Curriculum: Essential Tips for Christian Homeschoolers
• Art &Design Year 1
• Art Activities For High School Students: Learn Online