Van Gogh: Life and Work (3 credits)
ARTH 199M / 489M

Excursion Highlights

  • Rijksmuseum
  • Van Gogh Museum
  • Stedelijk Museum
  • Works by Seurat, Gauguin, and Cezanne

Course Itinerary

28 July-4 August 2012
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Register by 8 July

"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." - Vincent Van Gogh

Rich resources in Amsterdam allow students to follow Van Gogh's development through study of his paintings. In the Rijksmuseum there are examples of the Dutch School, including Rembrandt, an important influence in Van Gogh's early years. In the Van Gogh Museum, students can observe the changes produced by his contact with Seurat, Gauguin, and Cezanne. The Stedelijk Museum provides the class with an opportunity to see how Van Gogh has influenced painting in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Topics include:
  • Background - Vincent's early years
  • The early work before Paris: Vincent and Theo
  • Impressionism: A new way of seeing
  • Descriptive vs. expressive color
  • Descriptive vs. subjective content
  • The human condition
  • Summary: Changing the direction of art

May apply toward upper- or lower-level credit for art history, humanities, or electives.

Faculty member:  Ms. M. Jean Mandola, e-mail jeanmandola@usa.net  

Accommodation and transportation

For your convenience, UMUC coordinates the hotel and excursion arrangements for a flat fee of $550 per student, in addition to the course tuition cost. This fee will be charged to your student account and covers seven nights of lodging (double occupancy room), as well as local transportation costs and entry to all excursions. Single rooms are available upon request for an additional fee of $200.

The $550 fee does not include travel to and from Amsterdam. Students must make their own travel arrangements to the course.

Textbooks and course materials

Textbooks can be ordered through webText Europe - a secure, online textbook service designed to make your textbook ordering quick and simple. You can also receive on-site assistance from your local field representative. For a detailed listing of required textbooks and early reading assignments, please see the current course syllabus found in the schedule.

Registration details

You may register for the 3 credit field study course with your local field representative or online at MyUMUC. Tuition assistance or financial aid can be applied toward tuition costs. For more information, contact the UMUC Field Study Office at DSN 314-370-6762, CIV +49-(0)6221-3780, or e-mail fieldstudies@europe.umuc.edu.

Important!

Before completing your travel plans, please verify with your local field representative or the Field Study Office in Heidelberg that the course will be held as scheduled. Students who drop/withdraw from a field study course after the registration deadline will be charged a fee of $100.

Last updated: 8 November 2011