Sarah Laursen
Asst Professor of History of Art & Arch; Curator, Asian Art
Email: slaursen@middlebury.edu
Phone: work802.443.5491
Office Hours: Wed. 1:30 - 3:00, Thurs. 2:45 - 4:15 or by appointment
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Courses
Courses offered in the past four years.
▲ indicates offered in the current term
▹ indicates offered in the upcoming term[s]
HARC 0248 - Gold/Sex/Death at the Museum ▲
Gold, Sex, and Death at the Museum
Most visitors to museums notice the architecture, carefully chosen collections, and meticulously curated special exhibitions. However, behind this façade is a busy network of museum professionals coordinating every aspect of the institution’s life. Through readings and guest lectures, we will explore how directors, curators, and staff navigate the challenges facing the modern museum, such as establishing acquisitions policies in an increasingly uncertain art market, defining ethical standards for conservation, and addressing audiences with ever-changing needs. Speakers such as a curator, art critic, and conservator will contribute to our discussion, and attendance at a series of public talks is required. 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Fall 2013
HARC 0270 - Chinese Art
Chinese Art
This course is an introductory survey of the arts of China from the Neolithic period to the 20th century. Considering works in their original context and in museum collections, we will investigate how art objects and monuments reflect the religious beliefs, political agendas, and aesthetic preferences of their creators. At the same time, we will pay particular attention to the local development of artistic technologies, the role of ethnic and national identity in art production, and China's place in the larger histories of the Silk Road and modern international commerce and diplomacy. 3 hrs. lect. AAL, ART, HIS
Spring 2013
HARC 0370 - How Asian Art is Made
Potter, Painter, and Goldsmith: How Asian Art is Made
In this seminar we will explore the manner in which the distinctive artistic traditions of China, Korea, and Japan were shaped by the materials and techniques available to ancient craftsmen. Some of these technologies remained localized, while others—like porcelain and silk—went on to transform world history by fueling major export markets. Through observation of objects from the Middlebury Museum of Art, we will explore such questions as: How was Asian art made; Why was it made that way? What was its historical impact? Topics will include jade and other hardstones, bronze, textiles, ceramics, painting, lacquer, glass, and gold.
Spring 2013
HARC 0510 - Advanced Studies ▹
Advanced Studies
Supervised independent work in art history. (Approval Required)
Spring 2014
HARC 0540 - Independent Museum Studies ▲
Supervised Independent Work in Museum Studies
This practicum builds upon the Museum Assistants Program (MAP), the hands-on museum education program at the Middlebury College Museum of Art. In MAP, the Curator of Education trains students to conduct tours of the Museum’s permanent collection and of special exhibitions for audiences of peers, school groups, and the general public. Combining service learning with the opportunity to both support and learn more about the arts, students gain expertise in public speaking, art history, and public programming. To register for this course students have completed two semesters of MAP. The class will culminate with a public presentation on a museum-related topic evaluated by a faculty member of the Department of History of Art & Architecture. (Approval required; HARC 0100 or HARC 0102, and two semesters of MAP)
Fall 2013
HARC 0710 - Senior Research Seminar ▲
Senior Research Seminar
In this course students will conceive, undertake research, and plan the organization of their senior theses in art history or senior museum studies projects. Seminar discussions and workshops will focus on research strategies, conventions in art historical writing, project design, and public presentation skills. (HARC 0301; Approval Required) 3 hr. sem.
Fall 2013
HARC 0711 - Senior Thesis: History of Art ▹
Senior Thesis: History of Art *
This course is a continuation of HARC 0710 which consists of ongoing, supervised independent research with an advisor, plus organizing, writing, and presenting a thesis, which will be due on a Friday, two weeks before the end of classes. (HARC 0301 and HARC 0710)
Spring 2013, Spring 2014
Education
Ph.D., Chinese Art History, University of Pennsylvania, East Asian Languages &2011 Civilizations, Philadelphia, PA
“Leaves that Sway: Gold Xianbei Cap Ornaments from Northeast China” Committee: Dr. Nancy Steinhardt, Dr. Victor Mair, Dr. Annette Juliano
M.A., University of Pennsylvania, East Asian Languages & Civilizations, Philadelphia, PA2005
B.A., New York University, East Asian Studies and Art History, New York, NY2002
Languages
Proficient: Mandarin Chinese • French • ItalianReading Knowledge: Classical Chinese • Japanese • Korean • German • Portuguese • Spanish
Publications
“Split Personalities in Northern Zhou Tombs: A Review of Mortuary Art in theSept., 2012 Northern Zhou China (557–581 CE): Visualization of Class, Role, and Cultural Identity, by Jui-man (Mandy) Wu,” DissertationReviews.org
“Caps and Crowns in East Asian Diplomacy”(under review)
“Art and Technology in a Chinese Gold Cicada Plaque,” co-authored with(under review) Donna Strahan of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Museum Experience
Penn Museum, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Harvard Art Museums, Department of the Registrar, Cambridge, MA
Metropolitan Museum of Art, Asian Art Department, New York, NY
Brooklyn Museum of Art, Asian Art Department, New York, NY Assisted Chinese art curator in preparing for an exhibition of Chinese bronzes
