The Art Major

Requirements for the art major:

The major consists of a minimum of 10 courses, including three introductory courses in art history (101, 102, and 140), and three introductory courses in Studio Art in one of the following areas(107,109,111,114, 155,175) and four additional courses chosen from offerings in art history or studio art. Students emphasizing art history must take a 300-level seminar. Students emphasizing studio art must take ART 206 and a 306 Capstone Class to graduate.

For students focusing on art history, one non-Western art history course (128, 216, 238, 240, 241, 242) is strongly recommended. Study of at least one foreign language through the intermediate level is strongly recommended for those contemplating graduate study in art history.

The department is committed to strong student advising and may recommend courses in other departments based on the programmatic needs of individual students. Students may take one course for credit in the major at another institution.

Requirements for the minor:  The minor in art consists of six courses, including two introductory courses in art history (101 and 102), Fundamentals of Drawing (109), and three other courses chosen from offerings in art history or studio art in consultation with the minor adviser or the department head.

Interdisciplinary

Students may combine their art major with another subject. For example: art and civil engineering or engineering sciences helps prepare students for careers in architecture and city planning; art and economics for arts management; art and chemistry for art conservation; art and English for publishing and advertising; art and education for a variety of teaching opportunities; art and history for historic preservation; and art and anthropology for archaeology and anthropology.

In addition to these fields, the discipline offers many other career possibilities. Art majors have pursued careers as museum curators and administrators, art gallery directors, filmmakers, journalists, and as interior, graphic, and fashion designers. Our graduates have also pursued careers in advertising. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss their career interests with their advisors, who can provide additional career options and guidance.

Honors Program

The Honors program consists of 10 required classes including capstone (Studio Art) or an Art History Seminar plus 2 semesters of Honors. The Honors program involves close interaction with faculty on all levels. Students whose major emphasizes art history select a topic in consultation with their adviser, research it in depth, meet regularly with their faculty supervisor, and write a thesis that is defended before a committee.

Working closely with faculty supervisors, studio majors prepare a publicly exhibited body of work that is evaluated by a committee of faculty, guest artists, and critics.