Art History Major

Art History is inextricably linked to many collateral fields of study, including the hands-on studio arts, aesthetics, anthropology, computers, English literature, foreign languages, history, mass communications, psychology, religious studies and even science.

The Art History track requires a minimum of 36 semester hours. While the total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree remains constant for all undergraduates, each Art History major will want to tailor a supporting program to meet his or her own learning and career interests.

The Art History track differs from those in Studio Art and Graphic Design in that participation in a gallery exhibition is not required. Instead, a two-semester research project is required in the senior year, one that culminates in a single written paper or equivalent body of work. These alternatives include the possibility of curating an exhibition in the SXU Gallery or the creation of a thematically defined Home Page and directory of links for the World Wide Web. And, of course, a substantive research paper is always welcome.

In consultation with an advisor, majors in Art History should complete course work in each of the following categories:

First, a chronological survey of Western Art History is required. Choose from either of these two parallel sequences (or by any three-course combination of the two - 9 s.h.):

  • Art
    • ART 221 - Ancient and Medieval Art
    • ART 222 - Renaissance
    • ART 223 - Baroque and the Nineteenth Century; Modern and Contemporary Art
  • Humanities
    • HUM 111 - Introduction to Humanities I
    • HUM 112 - Introduction to Humanities II
    • HUM 113 - Introduction to Humanities III

Second, four required Art History courses are to be selected from the following (12 s.h.):

  • ART 114 - History of Film I: up to 1950
  • ART 115 - Asia @ Internet
  • ART 213 - Selected Topics in Film
  • ART 214 - Film Theory and Criticism
  • ART 224 - Contemporary Cinema
  • ART 228 - History of Design and Inspiration
  • ART 230 - Special Topics in Art History
  • ART 320 - Study in Aesthetics
  • ART 324 - History of Photography
  • ART 326 - Art of the Islamic World

Third, any three studio art courses (9 s.h.)

Finally, a two-semester Research Seminar project during senior year (6 s.h.)

Total requirements: 36 semester hours