Art History

Art history is an inherently interdisciplinary field and an integral part of a liberal arts education. Art history majors explore and analyze the production, collection, display and reception of visual art, media and culture within relevant political, social and historical contexts. The art history curriculum emphasizes visual literacy, cross-cultural study, critical thinking and object-based inquiry, skills essential for success in a variety of careers and engaged, socially responsible citizenship an increasingly global, interconnected and visual world.

Introductory and lower-level art history courses provide broad overviews of art and architecture from around the world and develop fundamental skills in visual analysis, critical interpretation, public presentation and written communication. Upper-level art history courses focus on the discussion of specific periods, cultures, media, or topics with an emphasis on close looking, comparative analysis, research and writing skills. Advanced coursework enhances student understanding of the philosophical constructs, intellectual ideas and professional practices that influence artistic production and critical interpretation. Art history students must also complete courses in studio art in order to gain experience with creative processes.

The art history curriculum includes courses on the art and architecture of America, Europe and Latin America, as well as topics courses that focus on the politics of representation, race, gender and sexuality and curatorial studies. Majors are encouraged to supplement their art history coursework with hands-on experience through study abroad, museum or community arts practice, internships, volunteer work and civic engagement. Students also have the opportunity to pursue independent research that involves close study of artwork from the Fine Art Collection or a curatorial project through Boyden Gallery. Ultimately, the study of art history at St. Mary’s College lays a solid foundation for pursuing a wide range of careers, including museum professions, arts and non-profit administration, information science, collections management, education, architecture and urban planning, public policy, law, foreign service, international affairs and historic preservation.

Learning Outcomes

Distinguish representative objects, movements and concepts from the global history of artistic production
Analyze artistic production in a culturally comparative format or from a cultural tradition beyond Western art and media
Execute basic art making techniques in select visual media
Produce evidence-based arguments related to the interpretation of visual art and media from the global history of artistic production
Assess how modes of artistic production are contextually-situated
Assess how audience interpretations of an object, movement, or concept are contextually-situated
Demonstrate effective writing and oral communication skills in the interpretation of visual art and media
Construct a research process that critically analyzes problems related to the interpretation of visual art and media
Use original sources that encompass a variety of relevant disciplines to construct an argument in the interpretation of visual art and media

Degree Requirements for the Art History Major

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major
At least 13 courses carrying art history, art theory or studio art credit and a minimum of 48 credit hours, in all of which the student must earn a grade of C- or better and a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00, including the following:

Course Requirements

At least 13 courses carrying art history or studio art credit and a minimum of 48 credit hours, in all of which the student must earn a grade of C- or better and a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00, including the following:

Two core courses:
- ARTH 100: Introduction to Art History
- ART 205: Introduction to Visual Thinking
One 200-level Art History course
Four 300-level courses, at least one from each of the following areas:
Early Modern & Colonial
- ARTH 310: Art in Europe, 1500-1850
- ARTH 333: Colonial Art Across the Americas
- ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
- ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*
Modern & Contemporary
- ARTH 306: Art of the United States
- ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
- ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
- ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
- ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*
Art History and Identities
- ARTH 314: Race and Representation
- ARTH 382: Sexuality and Modernity
- ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
- ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*

*When the course topic falls within this area.

One of the following:
- ARTH 440: Advanced Topics in Practice-Based Art History
- ARTH 450: Advanced Seminar in Art History
ARTH 470: Critical Approaches to the Analysis of Art
One additional studio art course
One or two additional elective courses selected from any art history or art offering, to bring the total courses taken for the major to a minimum of 13 and a minimum of 48 credit hours. With art history faculty approval, electives may include courses in other departments.

Senior Experience

This requirement may be satisfied in one of two ways:

ARTH 493/494: St. Mary’s Project in Art History. With the approval of the department, and in consultation with an art history faculty adviser, the student completes eight credit hours of the St. Mary’s Project in art history, or in any other discipline or cross-disciplinary study area.
ARTH 490: Senior Experience in Art History. With the approval of the department, and in consultation with an art history faculty adviser, the student completes Senior Experience in Art History (ARTH 490).

NOTE: with the exception of ARTH 100 and ART 205, courses taken in Studio Art or Art History as part of the requirements for a degree in Art History will not count for a major or minor in Art.

Degree Requirements for the Art History Minor

General College Requirements

General College requirements
All requirements in a major field of study other than art.

Required Courses

At least six courses carrying art and art history credit that total no less than 22 credit hours, in all of which the student must earn a grade of C- or better, including the following:

ARTH 100: Introduction to Art History
One 200-level art history course
Two 300-level courses, from two of the following areas:
- Early Modern & Colonial
  - ARTH 310: Art in Europe, 1500-1850
  - ARTH 333: Colonial Art Across the Americas
  - ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
  - ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*
- Modern & Contemporary
  - ARTH 306: Art of the United States
  - ARTH 316: Modern Art, 1850-1970
  - ARTH 317: Contemporary Art, 1970 to Present
  - ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
  - ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*
- Art History and Identities
  - ARTH 314: Race and Representation
  - ARTH 382: Sexuality and Modernity
  - ARTH 350: Advanced Topics in Western Art History*
  - ARTH 355: Advanced Topics in Global Art History*

*When the course topic falls within this area

One additional art history course
One studio art course

NOTE: with the exception of ARTH 100 and ART 205, courses taken in Studio Art or Art History as part of the requirements for a degree in Art History will not count for a major or minor in Art.

Faculty

Tristan Cai, Emily Casey, Sue Johnson, Joe Lucchesi, Jessye McDowell, Carrie Patterson, Lisa Scheer (Chair)