Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Art History B.A.Art History
College of Liberal Arts
Art history is the study of the visual world, both past and present. It looks closely at a wide array of images, objects, buildings, and sites in order to better understand human societies. Art history operates with the understanding that visual/material artifacts may speak more directly and deeply about a culture than its written record. Put another way, if a picture is worth a thousand words, then art history equips students to read it. This is called "visual literacy" and it is an invaluable skill in our increasingly visual world.
Students in art history learn to analyze a wide variety of artifacts from all geographic regions and historical eras, including our own. Not limited strictly to the so-called "fine arts," art history seeks to understand visual and material culture more broadly: from paintings and sculpture, to architecture and urban design; from films and photographs, to ceramics and textiles; from scientific illustration and political posters, to performance art and street graffiti. Through engaging closely with these and other forms of visual expression, students of art history become adept practitioners of the following skills: visual analysis and interpretation, original research and careful argumentation, image-based thinking and communication, and clear and persuasive writing in a variety of modes (e.g., analytical, creative, and journalistic).
Engaging visual approaches to learning and thinking, art history prepares a diverse student body for a variety of professional tracks. Graduates from this major go on to enjoy careers in the following fields: visual arts (e.g., art criticism, art appraisal and sales, art therapy, fashion, interior design, museums, and conservation), the humanities (e.g., grant writing, historic preservation, and philanthropy), media and marketing (e.g., advertising, film, journalism, radio, and television), K-12 and post-secondary education (e.g., teaching and administration), information science and collections management (e.g., libraries and archives in public, non-profit, and corporate contexts), and medicine and law, two fields that have long prized art history alumni for their analytical precision, skills at information mastery, and "right-brain/left-brain" balance. For these and other reasons, students of art history go on to enjoy higher job satisfaction and lower unemployment rates over the course of their working lives than peers in vocational tracks.
Majors in art history are required to fulfill a variety of distribution requirements across geographic regions and historical eras; one studio art class is also required for the major. Most classes have no prerequisites. The 31-34-unit credit for the major makes it an attractive option for double-majors and transfer students. Students considering pursuing graduate-level work in the discipline should aim to take more than the required two 5xxx-level courses, with as many professors in the department as possible; they should also strongly consider making French or German their chosen foreign language.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students in baccalaureate degree programs are required to complete general University and college requirements including writing and liberal education courses. For more information about University-wide requirements, see the
liberal education requirements.
Required courses for the major, minor or certificate in which a student receives a D grade (with or without plus or minus) do not count toward the major, minor or certificate (including transfer courses).
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 4 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
CLA BA degrees require 4 semesters or the equivalent of a second language.
CLA degrees require students to complete 48 credits of upper division coursework taken at the 3xxx, 4xxx, or 5xxx level. For a BA at least 18 of the 48 upper division credits must be outside of the major. For some specific majors, there are exceptions to this requirement.
This program requires 18 upper division credits outside the major. See your advisor for a list of courses that can or cannot be used to meet this requirement.
The major consists of nine courses in art history, one course in art, and the senior project, for a minimum of 31 credits. All courses must be taken A-F. A minimum of 13 upper-division credits of major coursework must be taken at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities campus. No more than three credits of ARTH 3975, 3993, 5993, or 5994 may be used to fulfill major requirements. Students who double-major and choose to complete the senior project in their other major are still responsible for taking 31 total ARTH credits. Students are encouraged to take courses from a variety of instructors to ensure exposure to various approaches and methods
Students may earn a BA or a minor in art history, but not both.
All incoming CLA freshmen must complete the First Year Experience course sequence.
Art History Foundation
Take 1 of the following courses for at least 3 credits.
ARTH 1001 - Introduction to Western Art
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 1002W - Why Art Matters
[AH, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 1004W - Introduction to Asian Art
[HIS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
Art Practice
This course must be hands-on, and focused on the practice, rather than the history, of art. Other courses not on the list may fulfill this requirement, but only with prior approval from the undergraduate adviser or director of undergraduate studies.
Take 1 or more course(s) totaling 3 - 4 credit(s) from the following:
·
ARTS 1101 - Introduction to Drawing
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1102 - Introduction to Painting
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1802 - Introduction to Sculpture: Understanding the Fundamentals of the Practice of Sculpture
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1501 {Inactive}
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1103 - Introduction to Printmaking: Relief, Screen and Digital Processes
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1505 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1704 - Introduction to Moving Images
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1701 - Introduction to Photography
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1801 - Introduction to Ceramics: Wheel-Throwing and Hand-Building Techniques
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1902 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1905 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTS 1910W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Art History Electives
Take 8 courses: six 3xxx and two 5xxx courses, spanning all 3 time periods and 2 geographic/cultural areas. One ARTH 1xxx may be substituted for an ARTH 3xxx course. Up to 3 credits of directed museum experience (ARTH 3975), or directed study (ARTH 3993/5993), or directed research (ARTH 5994) may count. Some courses span across time periods and geographic/cultural areas. Consult with the program adviser or director of undergraduate studies to determine which requirements these courses fulfill.
Take 8 or more course(s) totaling 24 or more credit(s) from the following:
Era I: Ancient to ca. 1300
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
Area: North America and Europe
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 5112 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3009 - Intersectional Medieval Art
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
or
MEST 3009 - Intersectional Medieval Art
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3152 - Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
or
CNRC 3152 - Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3162 - Roman Art and Archaeology
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
or
CNRC 3162 - Roman Art and Archaeology
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
Area: Middle East and/or Islamic World
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 5192 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CNES 5192 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
CNRC 3182 - Egypt and Western Asia: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt and Western Asia
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3182 - Egypt and Western Asia: Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt and Western Asia
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5115 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
CNES 5185 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
South and/or East Asia
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 5765 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5775 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
Era II: ca. 1300 to 1800
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
Area: North America and Europe
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 3309 - Renaissance Art in Europe
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3311 - Baroque Art in Seventeenth Century Europe
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3312 - European Art of the Eighteenth Century: Rococo to Revolution
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5302 - The Image Multiplied: Prints in Early Modern Europe
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5323 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5324 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3315 - The Age of Curiosity: Art, Science & Technology in Europe, 1400-1800
[AH, TS]
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 3708 - The Age of Curiosity: Art, Science & Technology in Europe, 1400-1800
[AH, TS]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3335 - Baroque Rome: Art and Politics in the Papal Capital
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARTH 5335 - Baroque Rome: Art and Politics in the Papal Capital
(3.0 cr)
or
HIST 3706 - Baroque Rome: Art and Politics in the Papal Capital
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
Era III: 1800 to Present
Take 1 or more course(s) from the following:
Area: North America and Europe
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 3005 - Identity and American Art
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3012 - 19th and 20th Century Art
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3422 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3484 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3577 - Photo Nation: Photography in America
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5411 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5417 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5454 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5575 - Boom to Bust: American Art from the Roaring Twenties to the Great Depression
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5577 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3655 - African-American Cinema
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
ARTH 5655 - African-American Cinema
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
AFRO 3655 {Inactive}
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
Courses Spanning Across Time Periods and Areas: Consult with adviser.
Take 0 or more course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 1001 - Introduction to Western Art
[AH]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 1002W - Why Art Matters
[AH, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 1004W - Introduction to Asian Art
[HIS, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 1921W - Introduction to Film Study
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3013 {Inactive}
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3015W - Art of Islam
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3017 {Inactive}
[AH, GP]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3401W - Art on Trial
[AH, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3422 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3434 - Art and the Environment
[AH, ENV]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3464 - Art Since 1945
[HIS]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3921W - Art of the Film
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3940 {Inactive}
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5301 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5413 - Alternative Media: Video, Performance, Digital Art
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5422 - Off the Wall: History of Graphic Arts in Europe and America in the Modern Age
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5466 - Contemporary Art
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5766 - Chinese Painting
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5777 - The Diversity of Traditions: Indian Empires after 1200
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5781 - Age of Empire: The Mughals, Safavids, and Ottomans
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5785 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5950 - Topics: Art History
(3.0 cr)
·
AMES 3014W {Inactive}
[AH, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3014V {Inactive}
[GP, AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3014W - Art of India
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3205 {Inactive}
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
or
ANTH 3205 {Inactive}
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
or
RELS 3322 {Inactive}
[AH]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3208 {Inactive}
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
CHIC 3208 {Inactive}
[AH, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5930 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3930H {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 5802 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
AMIN 5802 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
RELS 5326 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
Senior Project
This course encompasses both a once-weekly classroom meeting and independent work overseen by the students individual faculty adviser. To enroll in the course, students need formal permission from the adviser. Typically, students select a research paper previously written in an ARTH 5xxx course and develop it into their senior project. It is recommended that students take their ARTH 5xxx course at least one semester prior to taking ARTH 3971W/V.
Take exactly 1 course(s) totaling exactly 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 3971W - Art History Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3971V - Honors: Art History Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
Upper Division Writing Intensive within the major
Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.
Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:
·
ARTH 3015W - Art of Islam
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3921W - Art of the Film
[AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
AMES 3014W {Inactive}
[AH, GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3014V {Inactive}
[GP, AH, WI]
(4.0 cr)
or
ARTH 3014W - Art of India
[AH, GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
ARTH 3971W - Art History Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
ARTH 3971V - Honors: Art History Capstone
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 1004W/1004V/1016W/1016V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtS 1101/ArtS 2101 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtS 1102/ArtS 2102 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtS 1103/ArtS 2502 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtS 1704/ArtS 2601 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtS 1701/ArtS 2701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3009/MeSt 3009/RelS 3609 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3009/MeSt 3009/RelS 3609 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3152/CNES 3152 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3152/CNES 3152 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3162/CNES 3162 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3162/CNES 3162 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3182/CNES 3182/RelS 3182 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3182/CNES 3182/RelS 3182 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ARTH 3315/HIST 3708/ARTH 5315/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ARTH 3315/HIST 3708/ARTH 5315/ |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3335/Rels 3162/Hist 3706/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3335/Rels 3162/Hist 3706/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3335/Rels 3162/Hist 3706/ |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3655/ArtH 3655/ArtH 5655 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3655/ArtH 3655/ArtH 5655 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 1004W/1004V/1016W/1016V |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 1921W/CSCL 1201W/SCMC 120 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3015W/ClCv 3015W/RelS 370 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3422/ArtH 5422 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3777/ArtH5777/RelS 5777 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 5781/RelS 5781 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3014W/ RelS 3415 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3971W/ArtH 3971V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3971W/ArtH 3971V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3015W/ClCv 3015W/RelS 370 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3014W/ RelS 3415 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3971W/ArtH 3971V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ArtH 3971W/ArtH 3971V |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |