Requirements

Man looking at gold wall painting

Major in Art History

Art history majors take eleven courses from among the Fine Arts and cross-listed course offerings.

  • Two Foundational Surveys (Western, Asian, Islamic etc., numbered FA 30-39)
  • One Methods Seminar (FA 199a)
  • One Research Seminar (numbered FA 190-198)
  • One Studio Art course
  • Six Electives (including a second optional Studio Art course)

Prospective graduate students in the Art History program are advised to acquire skills in foreign languages, which are necessary for graduate study.

Foundational Literacies: 

Foundational Literacy requirements are satisfied within, not in addition to, the 11 courses required by the major. As part of completing the Art History major, students must:

  • Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 149a, FA 155a, FA 156b, FA 191b, FA 193a, FA 195A or FA 199a.
  • Fulfull the oral communication requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 178a, FA 191b, FA 192a, FA 193a or FA 197a.
  • Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 23b, FA 24a, FA 169a, FA 181a, or FA 199a. 

No single course may satisfy all three foundational literacies.


All courses taken for the major must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the major. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the major requirements.

Minor in Architectural Studies 

A minor in architectural studies is offered in addition to the major. Art History majors can fulfill the Architectural Studies minor through multiple combinations of courses and should plan their exact path with the Architectural Studies advising head. But ALL Architectural Studies minors must take: ALL three core architectural history courses (FA 30A, FA 80A AND FA 187A) AND two courses in Studio Design (FA 23B or 24A AND FA 4A).  

All courses taken for the minor must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements.

Students who minor in architectural studies and also major or minor in art history or studio art may double count three courses across the requirements for all their Fine Arts majors and minors.

Minor in Studio Art

A minor in studio art is offered in addition to the major. Art History majors may minor in studio art if they take two additional studio art electives and two semesters of FA 110 in addition to the other two studio courses required for their major.

All courses taken for the minor must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the minor requirements. 

Double Majoring in Art History and Studio Art

  • Two Foundational Surveys (Western, Asian, Islamic etc., numbered FA 30-39)
  • One Methods Seminar (FA 199a)
  • One Research Seminar (numbered FA 190-198)
  • Five Art History electives
  • Four Emerging Studio Practice courses
  • Two Studio Focus courses
  • Senior Studio (FA110a and FA110b)
  • Studio Seminar (FA118a)

For more specific information, look at the requirements for the art history major and the studio art major above.

All courses taken for the major must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the major. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the major requirements.

Foundational Literacies: 

As part of completing the Art History/Studio Art double major, students must:

  • Fulfill the writing intensive requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 119b, FA 149a, FA 155a, FA 156a, FA 191b, FA 193a, FA 195a or FA 199a.
  • Fulfill the oral communication requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 118a, FA 178a, FA 191b, FA 192a, FA 193a or FA 197a.
  • Fulfill the digital literacy requirement by successfully completing one of the following: FA 8a, FA 9a, FA 10a, FA 10b, FA 23b, FA 24a, FA 169a, FA 181a or FA 199a.

No single course may satisfy all three foundational literacies.

All courses taken for the major must receive a final grade of C- or better. No more than two courses taken in programs abroad or as transfer credit can be counted toward the major. No course taken pass/fail may count toward the major requirements.