Art (Studio Arts) Major (BA)

Major Programs

The studio arts and the art history programs are a balance of studio work, art history, criticism and aesthetics. Both programs have a foundation composed of studio arts and art history courses including a two-semester sequence of Western Traditions in art history, and an introductory course in studio arts.

The studio arts major is designed for the student who plans to undertake graduate studies in any field of studio arts or design, or otherwise intends to establish a career as a professional artist.  Foundation courses are complemented with a range of courses in the major studio areas (painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital photography/new media). Students must select advanced coursework in painting, sculpture, printmaking or, in consultation with the major studio advisor, an array of digital photography/new media courses, for their area of concentration. In addition, studio arts majors participate in the senior seminar and the senior exhibition program.

The art history major is designed to prepare students for future graduate studies in art history or related fields, or employment in museums and galleries. The curriculum incorporates a developmental progression of courses, ranging from foundation courses that cover a broad array of historic material to specialized electives, and finally, to advanced seminars and an independent research project that prepare students for graduate level study in the field. Foreign language study is also strongly recommended for art history majors and minors, as it is an essential component of art historical research at graduate and professional levels.