This course takes the student through a survey of American art from the 16th century to the present with a focus on the interplay between art and culture. This survey explores how numerous artistic forms, including painting, architecture, decorative arts, film, and popular graphics, affected the development of dominant artistic styles. The course will also examine how art influenced the political and social landscape that encompassed the larger American experience. By encouraging classroom discussion rather than lecturing a variety of visual materials will be integrated to guide the student through the history of American visual and material culture with a particular focus on issues related to race, gender, and class.