Art History Major, B.A.
B.A. degree
Major Map
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
This degree program, which requires 40 credit hours, offers students a firm foundation in the history of art and its methodologies. This foundation not only provides a strong basis for all specialized area studies, but also prepares students for advanced degree programs. Students planning or considering a major or minor in Art History are urged to consult with a faculty advisor as early as possible in their college careers.
Students must have an overall grade point average of 2.3 for all art courses counted toward the major. It is mandatory that all Art History Majors register for and complete four semesters of ART 096.
Courses taken on a credit/no credit basis, except for ART 096, may not be counted toward fulfillment of requirements for the Art History major or minor.
Art History majors are encouraged to participate in the CMU Semester Abroad program.
Art History majors and minors planning to do graduate work are strongly urged to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) early in their senior year. This examination is generally required for admission to graduate schools.
ART 319 should be taken in either the second or third semester in the program, after completing 36 credit hours, including 6 hours of Art History courses. This course acts as a mid-point, preparing students for 300+ level courses. All 500-level courses have ART 319 as a prerequisite.
Students should enroll in ART 492 in the fall of their final year and ART 589 the following semester, where they will conduct independent research and produce a senior thesis. ART 589 requires one 500+ level Art History course as a prerequisite.
Program Requirements
Core Courses I: Introductory Art History (9 hours)
| ART 096 | Art Event Attendance | 0(0-0) |
| ART 283 | Introduction to Western Art, Part I | 3(3-0) |
| ART 285 | Introduction to Western Art, Part II | 3(3-0) |
| ART 287 | Introduction to Non-Western Art | 3(3-0) |
Core Courses II: Theory and Practice (7 hours)
| ART 319 | The Methods of Art History | 3(3-0) |
| ART 492 | Art History Professional Development | 1(1-0) |
| ART 589 | Research Seminar in Art History | 3(3-0) |
Core Courses III: Breadth (9 hours)
Select one course each from Groups 1, 2, and 3:
Group 1: Ancient and Medieval
| ART 380 | Greek Art and Architecture | 3(3-0) |
| ART 381 | Early Christian and Byzantine Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 389 | Art of the Ancient Near East and Egypt | 3(3-0) |
| ART 480 | Roman Art and Architecture | 3(3-0) |
| ART 481 | Western Medieval Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 580 | Seminar in Ancient/Medieval Art History | 3-6(3-0) |
Group 2: Early Modern
| ART 387 | Baroque Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 388 | Eighteenth-Century Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 482 | Italian Renaissance Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 488 | Northern Renaissance Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 581 | Seminar in Early Modern Art History | 3-6(3-0) |
Group 3: Modern and Contemporary
| ART 383 | Modern Architecture | 3(3-0) |
| ART 385 | European Modernism | 3(3-0) |
| ART 386 | American Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 483 | Nineteenth Century European Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 485 | Art After 1945 | 3(3-0) |
| ART 582 | Seminar in Modern and Contemporary Art History | 3-6(3-0) |
Group 4: Topical Studies
| ART 312 | Special Studies in Art History | 3-9(3-0) |
| ART 317 | Digital Art History and Archaeology | 3(2-3) |
| ART 341 | History of Photography | 3(3-0) |
| ART 363 | History of Design: 1750-2010 | 3(3-0) |
| ART 382/WGS 382 | Gender and Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 391 | African Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 486 | Independent Study in Art History | 1-6(Spec) |
| ART 489 | Islamic Art | 3(3-0) |
| ART 493 | Art History Internship | 1-6(Spec) |
| ART 495 | Art History Study Abroad | 1-9(Spec) |
| ART 586 | Special Topics Seminar in Art History | 3-9(3-0) |
Electives I: Depth (9 hours)
Select three (3) courses from Groups 1-4.
Electives II: Seminar (3 hours)
Select one 500-level course not previously taken from Groups 1-4.
Electives III: Studio (3 hours)
Select one studio art course.
Total: 40 semester hours