ARTH 491

Fall 2026 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Aug 24-Dec 9

Topics in Art History

Credit: 1 TO 4 hours.

Variable content; consult the Class Schedule for current topics.

1 to 4 undergraduate hours. 1 to 4 graduate hours. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite: Junior standing or consent of instructor.

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ARTH 491 class schedule data for fall 2026
CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
10383	Independent Study		ARRANGED	n.a.	Location Pending		Availability: Open (Restricted) Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/24/26-12/09/26 Special Approval: Instructor Approval Required
49057	Lecture-Discussion	HVG	4:00PM -5:20PM	MW	316 Art and Design Building	von Hesse, H	Availability: Open (Restricted) Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/24/26-12/09/26 Credit: 4 hours Section Title: African Fashion Histories Section Info: This course examines the political, material and artistic dimensions of African and African diaspora dress and cultures of adornment. We will examine the cultural, political and gender significance of some of Africa’s earliest textile weaving, clothing, dying, and beadmaking techniques and industries. In emphasizing the cultural dynamism of African dress, this course emphasizes fashion rather than timeless concepts about “traditional” “communal” “authentic” or “tribal” clothing, and we will study influences on African dress within local as well as the continent’s millennia-old trans-Saharan and trans-oceanic and Islamic cultural and commercial contexts. Ultimately, we will discuss how European colonization, Christian missionization, Islamic revivalism, decolonization, African American cultural enthusiasts, Western fashion brands and global trends both inspired and have been influenced by African dress. Graduate section. Restriction(s): Restricted to Graduate - Urbana-Champaign.
12451	Lecture-Discussion	HVU	4:00PM -5:20PM	MW	316 Art and Design Building	von Hesse, H	Availability: Open (Restricted) Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/24/26-12/09/26 Credit: 3 hours Section Title: African Fashion Histories Section Info: This course examines the political, material and artistic dimensions of African and African diaspora dress and cultures of adornment. We will examine the cultural, political and gender significance of some of Africa’s earliest textile weaving, clothing, dying, and beadmaking techniques and industries. In emphasizing the cultural dynamism of African dress, this course emphasizes fashion rather than timeless concepts about “traditional” “communal” “authentic” or “tribal” clothing, and we will study influences on African dress within local as well as the continent’s millennia-old trans-Saharan and trans-oceanic and Islamic cultural and commercial contexts. Ultimately, we will discuss how European colonization, Christian missionization, Islamic revivalism, decolonization, African American cultural enthusiasts, Western fashion brands and global trends both inspired and have been influenced by African dress. Undergraduate section. Restriction(s): Restricted to Undergrad - Urbana-Champaign.