Arts Major: Art History Option (B.A.)

The art history curriculum provides a comprehensive, in-depth study of Western art from the ancient world to the present as well as some exposure to non-Western cultures and artistic traditions. All courses in the program teach basic skills of interpretation and critical analysis within the framework of broad cultural perspectives that connect the visual arts to larger historical developments. They also teach good writing and research skills. In addition, art history majors typically branch out into other fields, such as history, literature and foreign languages. By the time they graduate, most majors are well equipped to pursue such traditional careers in the field as museum and gallery work, teaching, publishing or librarianship. But because art historical education is so broad, it also prepares students for a variety of other, more flexible options, such as law, business or architecture.

Degree Requirements

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 10 courses (40 credits) for the major requirements, plus a capstone course as outlined below.

Major courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-. The required minimum overall GPA in major coursework is 2.0. Art history majors may use two major-required courses to satisfy two Discovery Program category requirements.

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Art history students receive preferential placement in this course.

For students considering graduate school recommended languages are German, and, if possible, either French, Italian, or another language relevant to their areas of interest. 

• We expect our art history majors to become conversant with some of the major conventions artists and architects have subscribed to over the millenia, and with how these have been bent or broken and why.
• We expect them to learn to write cogently and clearly, and to be able to analyze orally on the spot what they see in a work of art or architecture, often by comparison and contrast with works they know well.