Art History

Program Scope

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History gives students the opportunity to learn about the visual cultures of the past and present around the globe.

The 36-unit degree offers a series of increasingly focused courses—200 level survey courses, more specialized 300 and 400 level lecture courses, 500 level Advanced Topics, and the 600 level senior capstone seminar—in which students learn how to analyze and interpret visual art within diverse historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. The program takes advantage of the Bay Area's rich cultural resources, galleries and museums. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge of the field through an internship. The art history major prepares students for many kinds of careers, including administrative or curatorial positions in museums, galleries and auction houses, writing editorial positions, or for graduate school in art history, museum/curatorial studies or conservation.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Art History, students will:

1. Gain breadth and depth of knowledge of art history globally: identify major artists, works, movements; define key terms, concepts, and theories; and understand diverse historical, social, political, cultural, and ideological perspectives.
2. Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, formal analysis, and visual literacy to interpret and evaluate the meaning of art and visual culture.
3. Gain verbal expression and oral presentation skills in both informal discussion and formal context.
4. Become proficient in writing and research skills in both informal discussion and formal contexts.
5. Understand and apply art historical methodology and theoretical models.
6. Show evidence of curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, problem-solving, collaboration, and compassion in class discussion, small group work, and research/writing.
7. Understand the ethical dimension of artistic practice and scholarship within a global context and in relationship to the dynamics of power—including those of class, gender, race, and geopolitics—as expressed through visual, spatial, institutional, and ideological practices.
8. Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of artistic practice and process, and be able to draw on such knowledge in the interpretation of works of art, as well as to enrich their research and scholarly process.