Schools, Departments & Programs

Art History

Major in Art History—B.A.
Purpose

The B.A. Major in Art History acquaints students with the major developments in the history of art and the discipline and methods of art history, and places works of art in the context of the periods and cultures in which it was produced. The curriculum provides students with a balance of training in the practice, theory, and history of the visual arts in order to enhance their understanding of human sensibility and its diverse potential. In their classes, faculty members foster an intellectual environment in which the highest levels of creativity and critical thinking in the visual arts are studied, practiced and learned.

Requirements

Students must complete at least 30 credit hours in art history, including the following:

  1. Two of the following survey courses: ARTH-A 101, A102, A155, and A160.
  2. 24 credit hours above the 100 level, including at least two courses at the 200–300 level, at least 2 courses at the 300-level, and at least three courses at the 400 level. The 200-, 300-, and 400-level courses must be taught for at least 3 credit hours and must be distributed among at least four of the following different areas of art history: ancient, medieval, Renaissance and baroque, modern and contemporary, Islamic, Asian, African/Oceanic/pre-Columbian, or art theory. Courses must be completed with a grade of C– or higher.

Students must complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Recommendations

A reading knowledge of a foreign language and a minor in the humanities are recommended. Some studio coursework is also recommended.

Residence Requirement

At least 18 credit hours of art history must be completed in residence on the Bloomington campus, including two courses at the 300 level and two courses at the 400 level.

Transferred Credit

All art history courses transferred from another institution or campus must be evaluated by the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Art History before they may be applied toward the major.