Art & the Sea

This class will explore how representations of the sea express political, cultural, and environmental concerns about the human relationship to ocean worlds and ocean life. Examining works of art and material culture ranging from maps, paintings, performances, literature, and film, we will consider how individuals and communities from diverse times and places have engaged practically and imaginatively with the maritime environment. We will pay particular attention to the ocean as a stage for cross-cultural contact—considering the histories of colonialism, Indigenous sovereignty, Black memory, and the contemporary global refugee crisis. We will also examine the role of artists in raising awareness around climate change.

Cross-listings: AAS 323/523, AMS 344, EVRN 420, HIST 389
Major breadth: Cross-regional, Cross-period