Posted by Communications Staff on 3/31/2022
Studying history the traditional way might involve examining the key figures and moments of our past, the good times and the bad, and the battles won and lost.
Another way to study history, though, is through art.
Paula Korus teaches AP Art History at North Central High School, a course for sophomores, juniors and seniors that fulfills a world history credit. The course is also available at Lewis and Clark High School.
Korus lights up when talking about her course.
“Every culture around the world is recognized and we start at the very beginning from about 100,000 BCE to the modern-day art in 2011,” she said. “It’s everything from the Shiva Lord of the Dance to Mao Zedong’s propaganda posters for the cultural revolution in the 1960s. There’s an astounding amount of history associated with these things. This is the most robust history course I think a student could have.”
Students study art in architecture, political posters, sculptures, and more. They learn how political powers used art to their advantage, and how different cultures and religions incorporate art into their teachings. Students debate different art pieces and interpret what the artist was trying to convey.
“Currently in the study of Asia, they’re learning the transmission of culture along the water and land routes of trade,” Korus said. “So, the spread of Hinduism to Southeast Asia, the spread of Buddhism up into the Silk Road across to Korea, across to Japan, and then how political powers would use these to their advantage. It’s an incredible history theme they’ve learned through the eyes of temples or massive statues that are built.”
Korus has 60 students across two AP Art History classes, and the students are as diverse as the art lining the walls of her classroom.
“There are a variety of students from all walks of the school. From athletes to artsy band kids,” she said.
Korus enjoys that the course gives students another perspective on history.
“I think students who take this class are interested in learning about something other than wars and battles, and how they can see the world from a different lens. It’s a complete retelling of history. I’m so excited to be teaching it because it’s so diverse.”
John Hagney, who retired from Lewis and Clark in 2020, created the first AP Art History course 20 years ago and believes teaching history through art gets students engaged.
“Remembering historical events and personas by referencing dates and names only does not fully engage the brain,” he said. “Just as we often recall events in our own lives by association to specific sensory recollections, history is better remembered when illustrated by the power of art.”
The course follows the AP Art History guide from College Board. At the end of the year, students can take the AP test, which involves a one-hour, 80-question test, then six essay prompts to be completed in two hours. A successful AP test score can fulfill a humanities credit in college.
