Art, Beauty, and the Christian Life

Catalog description

This course offers an exploration of changing concepts of beauty in Western culture as expressed in the visual arts, and of the role of beauty in Christian theology and life. Students will learn how beauty has been thought of by Western artists and architects from antiquity to the postmodern era, and how evolving notions of beauty reflect changing cultural and historical contexts. They will also be challenged to think more expansively about beauty as they engage it as a Christian theological idea . Historical conceptions of beauty will ultimately be evaluated through an understanding of beauty as an attribute and reflection of God. Through this course, students will gain an appreciation for attentiveness to beauty as a means of deepening one's love of God and neighbor.