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Art History

College of Letters and Science

  • Bachelor of Arts

How can we approach the increasingly complex visual world we find ourselves in today? Through the study of art history! Art historians study the changing visual expression of values, beliefs and experiences across diverse cultures and over time. The art history major provides training in historical, social and aesthetic understanding, critical thinking, scholarly research, and lucid, thoughtful analysis and writing. More than any other discipline, art history sharpens its students’ visual acuity and deepens their visual literacy.

Major Requirements

As a student majoring in art history, you will begin with courses that survey the arts of Asia, Europe, and America. More specialized lecture courses and proseminars follow in global art and visual culture from ancient times to the present day. You are also encouraged to complement the major with advanced work in related disciplines such as classics, religion, history, philosophy, literature, sociology, anthropology, cultural studies and foreign languages.

Contact Information

Degree Outcomes

Careers

  • Arts Business Administrator
  • Art Director
  • Curator
  • Lawyer
  • Museum Technician and Conservator

Graduate Study

  • Architecture
  • Art history
  • Museum studies
  • Cultural studies
  • Art conservation

Alumni Employers

  • The National Museum of American History
  • Google Scholar
  • Crocker Art Museum
  • Stanford University
  • Smithsonian Institution
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Your course roadmap

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The faculty you will work with

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Global learning programs

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Undergraduate research

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What can I do with my art history major?

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