Course at a Glance
Course: ARTH 489F (3 Credits)
Class and Credits: ARTH 489F Northern Renaissance Art in Brussels (3 Credits)
Location: Brussels, Belgium
When: 17 June to 14 July 2026
On-site in Brussels: 3-6 July 2026
Register By: 3 June 2026
Status: OPEN
Highlights:
Antwerp
Bruges
Gent
Private viewing of Medieval manuscripts in the Royal Library
The Bosch exhibition
Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels
Tuition and Fee
$750.00 Undergraduate 3-credit hour tuition cost
$400.00 Field Study Additional Fee includes: (museum/ticket fees, private tours, excursions or other events organized by the faculty). Not included: meals, transportation to and from the location, and hotel accommodation. Please note that the fee is subject to change based on potential increases in ticket prices.
The 14th through the 16th centuries were an exciting period for the history and culture of Northern Europe. Art was influenced by a world vision completely different from that of Italy and this, in turn, influenced its artistic expressions. Study the works of the pioneers of Flemish art - van Eyck, van der Weyden, and Campin with their infinite landscapes and dazzling details. You will learn about reality and symbol in Flemish art and see how it influenced the works of Bosch. In addition to developments in Flemish painting, you will also learn about painting in Germany, as well as sculpture, tapestry, and the building of Gothic cathedrals.
Topics include:
- The pioneers: Campin, van Eyck, and van der Weyden
- Reality and symbol in northern art
- The cross influences between Northern Europe and Italy
- Bosch: Art and witchcraft
- Sculpture and architecture
- Manuscripts and tapestries
- Painting in Germany
Faculty member: TBA
Students should consult an academic advisor to determine how the course fits into their program.
Course Details
Pre-Course and Week 1
You will gain access to the online LEO classroom approximately one week before the start of the course. The official course start date is 17 June 2026. Once you access the classroom, take a virtual course walk-through and begin reading assignments and review the on-site itinerary.
On-Site in Brussels
3-6 July 2026
Sample Itinerary (Final confirmed itinerary will be available in the course syllabus)
Visit to the Grand Place
Train to Gent: St. Bavo, Graslei, and Fine Arts Museum
Visit to cathedral and Grand Place
Train to Bruges: Groeningen and Memling Museums, Town Hall
Train to S-Hertogenbosch (Netherlands) and the Bosch exhibition
Textbooks and Course Materials
Please refer to the current course syllabus found on the schedule for details about course materials.
Registration Details
You may register for the 1-3-credit field study course with your local program coordinator or online at MyUMGC. Tuition assistance or financial aid can be applied toward tuition costs. For more information, contact the UMGC Field Study Office at CIV +49-(0)631-534-800, or e-mail fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu.
Before completing your travel plans, please verify with your local program coordinator or the Field Study Office at fieldstudies-europe@umgc.edu that the course will be held as scheduled. If you drop/withdraw from a field study course after the registration deadline, you will be charged a fee of $100. A one-credit hour field study will be charged the amount equal to the pre-purchased tickets. Please see the additional field study fee.
How is a field study course different from a regular course?
A field study course packs all of the 48 contact-hours of other courses into adventure-filled days on location, so you can earn one to three credits at an accelerated pace. In addition, rather than taking place in an education center, a field study course takes place in a historical European city where the subject being studied has its roots. You will visit historical sites and museums as well as participate in lectures that bring it all together for a one-of-a-kind learning experience.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.
Helpful Hints
Before you leave:
- Contact your travel agency concerning insurance coverage for cancellations.
- Contact your health insurance company for information concerning coverage at your destination.
- Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of your destination country.
- Check the weather forecast for your destination.
- Obtain city maps for your destination.
- Leave contact information with people at home who may need to reach you during the course.
- Make sure your legal affairs are in order and leave a short-term power of attorney with someone you trust.
- Make two photocopies of your passport and the contents of your wallet--leave one copy at home and bring the other with you.
For more information, please visit the Field Study Resources page.