Art History | Academic Advising Handbook

Art history is the study of visual culture in its historical and theoretical contexts. It goes beyond merely studying artistic styles and aesthetic theories to exploring a variety of cultures, geographic areas, and time periods, in both western and non-western art, as well as a variety of broad thematic issues to present art history within a global perspective. Through the study of art history, the student can realize the impact of a visual culture on the formation of human values, beliefs, creativity, and identity in diverse civilizations as well as for oneself in contemporary society. 

The study of art history prepares students for advanced degrees in graduate school as well as employment in galleries, museums, arts administration, art criticism, nonprofit organizations, art centers and institutions, conservation, archivist, and art education, depending on their skills and experience. Students who are considering graduate work in art history are encouraged to study a foreign language beyond the 102 level. Students who are interested in the field of art conservation may wish to pursue a Chemistry minor.

Art History Major/Minor students are encouraged to take a variety of courses in art history. Seniors must take ARTHI 493 Senior Seminar I during their fall semester and ARTHI 494 Senior Seminar II during their spring semester. All art history majors must complete all core requirements and maintain a 3.0 average, with no class below a C- in the major.

Program Learning Outcomes:

  1. Interaction with Artworks: Students will have sufficient mastery of: Art History Vocabulary, Formal Analysis, Interpretation, Contextualization, and using artworks as Evidence
  2. Creative Inquiry: Students will develop skills in Critical and Creative Thinking, Critical Reading, Problem-Solving

Techniques, Summary, Analysis, Thesis Statements, Evaluating Sources & Scholarship, Research, Synthesis and Organization of Ideas

  1. Communication: Students will be able to clearly communicate their work in Oral, Written, and Visual formats, both individually and collaboratively

Rev. 2020