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    Oct 14, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Bulletin 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Bulletin [Archived Bulletin]

Art History 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: 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.

 

Four Additional Courses


  • Three art history electives at the 3000 level
  • One studio elective at the 1000 level

 

Recommended sequence of courses:


First Year

  • ARTH 1200 - Western Traditions: Prehistory to the Middle Ages
  • ARTH 1210 - Western Traditions: Renaissance to Contemporary

Sophomore Year

  • ARTH 3900 - 19th-Century Art in Europe
  • Art History elective at the 3000 level
  • Studio elective at the 1000 level

Junior Year

  • ARTH 3910 - 20th-Century Art in Europe and the United States
  • Art History elective at the 3000 level

Senior Year

  • Art History elective at the 3000 level
  • ARTH 5000 - Senior Art History Research or ARTH 5010 - Senior Art History Research Honors
  • ARTH 5450 - Senior Seminar: Methodologies of Art History

Note:


One year of college-level study (normally two courses) in a foreign language is strongly recommended for those students intending to go on to graduate programs in Art History. The language should be determined in consultation with Art History faculty. French or German is strongly advised for students considering graduate level study in Art History.