In the fall semester 2005, Nina Cho and Kiel Pollitt, both students in my HIS 102 course, having studied the Impressionist era, decided to visit The Art Institute of Chicago as an extra credit option in the course.  I urged them to see La Grande Jatte (1884-86, Oil on canvas, 205x305 cm., The Art Institute of Chicago) by Georges Seurat (1858-1891) and also Nighthawks (1942, Oil on canvas, 30 x 60 in., The Art Institute of Chicago) by Edward Hopper (1882-1967).  These were the two paintings that most stood out in my mind from my visit to the Art Institute some years ago.  Seurat's painting is truly overpowering; I get goosebumps every time I recall standing in front of the giant canvas.