Art History
Requirements
Major Requirements
Twelve courses (eleven art history courses, plus one studio art course). Specific course requirements:
· two semesters of introductory survey (History of Art 1011 & 1012)
· three courses from major periods (one each from three of the following):
1) Ancient
2) Medieval, Northern Renaissance
3) Italian Renaissance and Baroque
4) 18th and 19th century, American and Modern
· one course in non-Western art
· three art history 3000-level seminars which require an oral report and research paper (summer courses excluded)
· Seminar for Majors (ARH 3080)
· Senior Evaluation (a thesis, internship or special project, to be supervised by a member of the department)
· one studio art course
When a single course fulfills more than one requirement, the total of eleven art history courses may be completed by courses of the student’s choosing. The minimum grade for major credit is C-. While language study is not required for the major, students intending to enter graduate school in Art History are strongly urged to acquire a reading knowledge of German, French and, where relevant, Italian.
Departmental Honors
Departmental honors in art history will be granted to a graduating senior only by a unanimous vote of all full-time faculty members after review of the student’s Art History Honors Portfolio. Students do not need to submit an Art History Honors Portfolio in order to successfully complete all requirements for the major, nor do students need to submit an Art History Honors Portfolio in order to earn “Distinction” in the major. The portfolio review is voluntary, and submission of a portfolio does not automatically guarantee that honors will be awarded. Students who intend to go on for graduate study in the field of art history are urged to submit an Art History Honors Portfolio for review.
The Art History Honors Portfolio.
Contents of the Portfolio. Students who choose to submit an Art History Honors Portfolio must submit:
§ A current transcript demonstrating:
1. A 3.5 or better grade point average in major classes;
2. Proof of successful completion of at least two semesters of study in one of the following three foreign languages: French, Italian, or German. In cases where students are enrolled in their second semester of language study during the spring term of their senior year, proof of enrollment must be submitted. If honors are awarded, the award will be contingent upon successful completion of this second course.
§ Three research papers in the field of art history that demonstrate a student’s scholarly potential. Papers will be evaluated for:
1. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent, meaningful research;
2. Clarity and originality of thesis and conclusions;
3. Organization, clarity, and elegance of writing;
4. Clarity and sophistication of methodological approach;
5. Proper use and format of in-text citations and bibliography.
Number of Copies. The portfolio submission must be made in triplicate.
Deadline. Students must submit their Honors Portfolio no later than April 15 of the spring term of their senior year.
Notification. Students will be notified if honors will be awarded no later than the first week of May.
Art History “Distinction”
· 3.5 cumulative average in art history courses
· a grade of A in Senior Evaluation when it is an internship, OR
· a grade of B+ or above in Senior Evaluation when it is a thesis
Minor Requirements
Five courses: both semesters of History of Art, one seminar (excluding summer school), and two other courses at any level. The minimum grade for minor credit is C-. In unusual cases, and with departmental approval, students who are unable to schedule History of Art I may substitute one course in Ancient or Medieval Art plus one course in Renaissance Art for this requirement. Similarly, for those unable to schedule History of Art II, one course in non-Western Art plus one course covering a time period from the 17th to the 20th centuries may be substituted. This alternative increases the number of courses required to complete the minor.