AP Art History: A New View Of The Past

The Pyramids of Giza, the Coliseum in Rome, and the Mona Lisa.  No, this isn’t your family’s summer vacation, this is AP Art History.

AP Art history is one of the most exciting classes on campus and has only just begun being offered at Christian Brothers High School.

“Art History is looking at the visual record that humans have left behind,” says instructor Mr. Findlay Macintosh.

What exactly does that mean? Art History covers the growth of civilization and culture through the art and architecture has been left for historians to discover.  Art History covers any visual creation that can represent the times and the mindsets of the people of the times

“From cave art paintings, to things that were doodled in Mr. English’s class yesterday,” Mr. Macintosh says. “It is another way of getting insight into human nature, and to see how humans make progress and advance culture.”

The importance of Art History is revealed through the connections the student and class can form between the art and the events and innovations of the day.

Why should students consider Art History?

“It’s really interesting, first and foremost,” the art teacher said. “You should try to take classes that are going to stimulate you, and things that might interest you.”

AP Art History is the only class you can really sit back and look at classical and fine art.  The class looks at the cultures of the world through the window of art.

Art History might be known around campus for having the largest textbook in the school, but Mr. McIntosh believes that next year this will not be a problem.

“What needs to improve is the technology, and next year when all the kids have iPads it will be really interesting how this will change.”

Despite the large book, and scary AP title, the class workload is quite manageable.

“You have to read the chapter, you have to know the material that’s in the book or the slides that we go over, but I like to think it’s more of a chance to think about culture and why things are the way they are,” Mr. Macintosh says.  “I have a no-fault homework policy. The homework is designed to help you on the test, and if you don’t do it, I won’t hold it against you.”

AP Art history is open to sophomores, juniors and, seniors who have are enrolled in or have completed World History II with a B+ or better, or have consent from their instructor.

Mr. McIntosh invites students interested in the class to come and ask him any questions they have about it in Room 305.