Art History/Therapy: Drink the Wild Air

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Preferred majors for this course: Health Sciences, Art, Psychology, Art History, History, Mass Communications, English, Marketing Ralph Waldo Emerson told the world of the 19th century that to live well and with one's whole heart meant having to "drink the wild air." Our course will show you how to do that, as we explore how artists and healers have worked for centuries to raise up and topple political regimes, concepts of beauty and protocols related to health and wellness. You’ll have only two weeks in our amazing classroom cities, but our goals will be ambitious: You’ll see some of the greatest architecture in the world every day, as we explore public gardens and incomparable cathedrals and monuments first in London and then Paris. While you stand face to face with the most consequential paintings and sculptures in the cannon of European art. As you interrogate, too, the scope of the world that Europe conquered, looted and then lost. Every step of the way, you'll learn how ideas about art as a therapeutic practice have changed over time. We will explore how art therapy in the UK and France is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational, and forensic settings – as well as in private practice, in workshops and small-group settings. From great museums to lesser collections and buzzy galleries, the beauty that is London and Paris will be your classroom each day. Whether you’re an art major or a student of health sciences or psychology, this course will gently but forever expand how you see and value beauty, balance and wellness in your life and world. Professors Kaylee Spencer and Ann Lawton created this course and lead it each summer, together with other colleagues. The course will be cross listed as Art 3910 and PSY4610

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