Art History concentration students develop critical skills to understand global visual arts within social, historical, and aesthetic contexts. Classes combine lectures and discussions with small seminars for deeper engagement. They explore a second field of study, selected with an advisor, while gaining exposure to a foreign language and aesthetic philosophy. Study abroad is a key part of the program, offering immersive, location-responsive experiences that integrate studio art, art history, education, humanities, and languages. These opportunities are built into the curriculum, making international study accessible and enriching.

Learning Objectives

Art History students will:

  1. Recognize and contextualize major monuments and artworks from around the world, understanding their historical significance.
  2. Use precise art historical vocabulary to explore the social, political, philosophical, and religious forces that shaped artistic production.
  3. Master essential art history methods, including visual and contextual analysis, comparative essays, and critical engagement with primary and secondary texts.
  4. Conduct research-driven analysis, crafting compelling arguments in writing and oral presentations through the lens of art history.
  5. Develop strong visual literacy skills to decode, interpret, and find meaning in visual media across cultures and time periods.

Effective Fall 2023

A minimum grade of C (2.000) or better is required in all upper-division Art History coursework. 

Freshman
AUCCCredits
ART 105Issues and Practices in Art 1
ART 110Global Art History I 3
ART 111Global Art History II 3
ART 135Foundations - Form and Observation 3
ART 160Foundations - Color and Composition 3
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
L*** 100 and L*** 101 (or equivalent)1 10
1B1B3
 Total Credits 29
Sophomore
 
ART 120Foundations--Time and Structure 3
ART 170Foundations - Materials and Space 3
ART 212Global Art History III 3
Upper-Division Art History4A,4B3
1C1C3
Arts and Humanities3B3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A7
Historical Perspectives3D3
Social and Behavioral Sciences3C3
 Total Credits 31
Junior
 
PHIL 318Aesthetics-Visual Arts 3
Select one course from the following not taken elsewhere:  3
Introduction to Figure Drawing  
Photo Image Making I  
Pottery I  
Metalsmithing and Jewelry I  
Fibers I  
Introduction to Graphic Design  
Introduction to Electronic Art  
Painting I--Fundamentals and Representation  
Introduction to Printmaking  
Sculpture I  
ART *** Upper-Division Art History 12
ART *** Upper-Division Art Electives 4
Second Field Course2 3
Advanced Writing23
Arts and Humanities3B3
 Total Credits 31
Senior
 
ART 419Historiography and Methodology of Art History4C3
ART *** Upper-Division Art History 6
Second Field Courses2 6
Second Field Upper-Division Courses2 12
Elective3 2
 Total Credits 29
 Program Total Credits: 120

Upper-Division Art History Courses

Code Title AUCC Credits
ART 309 Pre-Columbian Art of the Andes 4A,4B 3
ART 310 History of American Art to 1945 4A,4B 3
ART 311 Art of West and Central Africa 4A,4B 3
ART 312 Pre-Columbian Art of Mesoamerica 4A,4B 3
ART 313 Art of East and Southern Africa 4A,4B 3
ART 314 Gender and Feminisms in Art History 4A,4B 3
ART 315 United States Art 1945-1980 4A,4B 3
ART 316 Art of the Pacific 4A,4B 3
ART 317 Native North American Art 4A,4B 3
ART 320 Global Encounters in Art 4A,4B 3
ART 409 Museum Collections--Storage to Exhibition 4A,4B 3
ART 410 Greek Art 4A,4B 3
ART 411 History of Medieval Art 4A,4B 3
ART 412 History of Italian Renaissance Art 4A,4B 3
ART 414 History of Baroque and Rococo Art 4A,4B 3
ART 415 History of 19th Century European Art 4A,4B 3
ART 416 History of European Art, 1900 to 1945 4A,4B 3
ART 417 Roman Art 4A,4B 3
ART 418 Contemporary Artists and Art Critics 4A,4B 3
ART 492A Seminar: Art History 4A,4B 3
ART 496H Group Study: Art History 4A,4B 3
1

A total of 10 credits in foreign language courses may be counted toward the core language requirement.  Students who test out of the core language requirement should see their advisor to select electives.

2

Complete a minimum of 21 credits of a minor or second major, or 21 credits from the same non-ART subject code. A minimum of 12 credits from the 21 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

3

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400- level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree ProgramA minimum grade of C (2.000) or better is required in all upper-division Art History coursework. 

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART 105Issues and Practices in Art X 1
ART 110Global Art History IX  3
ART 135Foundations - Form and Observation X 3
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2) X1A3
L*** 100 (or equivalent) X 5
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART 111Global Art History IIX  3
ART 160Foundations - Color and Composition X 3
L*** 101 (or equivalent)   5
1B  1B3
CO 150 and AUCC 1B must be completed by the end of Semester 2.X   
 Total Credits   14
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART 170Foundations - Materials and Space X 3
ART 212Global Art History IIIX  3
1C X1C3
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A4
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART 120Foundations--Time and Structure   3
    
ART*** Upper-Division Art History (See list of approved courses on Major Requirements Tab)X 4A,4B3
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A3
Historical Perspectives X3D3
Social and Behavioral Sciences X3C3
 Total Credits   15
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
PHIL 318Aesthetics-Visual Arts X 3
Select one course from the following:   3
Introduction to Figure Drawing    
Photo Image Making I    
Pottery I    
Metalsmithing and Jewelry I    
Fibers I    
Introduction to Graphic Design    
Introduction to Electronic Art    
Painting I--Fundamentals and Representation    
Introduction to Printmaking    
Sculpture I    
ART*** Upper-Division Art History (See list of approved courses on Major Requirements Tab)X  6
Advanced Writing X23
 Total Credits   15
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART*** Upper-Division Art History (See list of approved courses on Major Requirements Tab)X  6
ART*** Upper-Division Art Electives X 4
Second Field Course   3
Arts and Humanities X3B3
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART 419Historiography and Methodology of Art HistoryX 4C3
ART*** Upper-Division Art History (See list of approved courses on Major Requirements Tab)X  3
Second Field Course X 3
Second Field Upper-Division Courses X 6
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
ART*** Upper-Division Art History (See list of approved courses on Major Requirements Tab)X  3
Second Field CourseX  3
Second Field Upper-Division CoursesX  6
ElectiveX  2
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   14
 Program Total Credits:   120