This course examines key figures and works in literary and artistic traditions from the Ancient and Classical periods through the Middle Ages and Renaissance, concluding with the Enlightenment and Romanticism. Throughout the semester we will explore how art expresses cultural ideals and social hierarchies, as well as how evolving aesthetic standards have shaped conventions in literature and the arts. Coursework and assignments include learning trips to various sites of historical and cultural significance in and around the Boston area to emphasize the Humanities’ relevance beyond the classroom. This course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Historical Consciousness, Critical Thinking.