The Art History Department offers courses designed to provide an understanding of the visual arts in their cultural contexts. Coursework in art history provides students with a basic training in art history as a humanistic discipline via visual analysis and interpretation of works of art from both the Western and Eastern worlds. The Art History Department prepares students for advanced graduate training as professional historians of art, for careers in museum and gallery work, and for work in the areas of art appraisal and criticism. Lower division survey courses provide basic introductions to chronology, cultural study, and visual analysis. Upper division surveys broaden the scope by focusing on particular periods.
All departmental courses are open to qualified students regardless of major.
Students with special interests and an adequate general background may arrange an individualized interdisciplinary or double major. Internships in art history are encouraged and are arranged to provide students with direct and practical experience, especially in the fields of museum and gallery work. Art history majors also take at least two courses in studio art to gain direct experience with artistic techniques and the creative process. Semester-long seminars in methodology and research are required of art history majors, as well as the completion of a senior thesis or comprehensive exam. Minors in art history complete introductory survey courses plus the methodology or research seminars.