Art History, Emphasis
Bachelor of Arts in Art with an Emphasis in Art History
Students practice contextual analysis, critical thinking, visual literacy, and storytelling through the lens of art history. They cultivate cultural self-awareness, empathy, curiosity, and openness to learning about different peoples and visual traditions. They develop the ability to find and assess historical and visual evidence for validity, quality, and relevance through focused research projects. Moreover, they craft coherent written and oral arguments in a range of formats: formal analyses, wall labels, catalog entries, comparative analyses, research essays, gallery talks, research posters, and public presentations. Internships at local museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions are encouraged. The degree is flexible and prepares students well for any career that requires attention to detail, honed research skills, and effective communication. Graduates may use the degree as a springboard to further studies in art history, public history, conservation, law, library science, museology, or other related fields.
Distinctive Features of the Program
- written, oral, and visual communication (both academic and public facing); public speaking; editing and proofreading; historical and archival research; data organization; curation and exhibit design; collections’ documentation and management
- visual literacy; comparative analysis; contextual analysis; cultural analysis; critical thinking; problem solving; time management and multitasking; attention to detail; teamwork; intercultural fluency and ethical reasoning; and audience engagement.
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word); Adobe Creative Suite; web-publishing platforms for digital collections and online exhibits; historical reconstruction and visualization tools; digital humanities tools; exhibit installation.
Course Requirements
The Core Curriculum is designed to foster critical thinking skills and introduce students to basic domains of thinking that transcend disciplines. The Core applies to all majors. Information on specific classes in the Core can be found at https://www.marshall.edu/gened/.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Core 1: Critical Thinking | ||
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| Core 2 | ||
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Core II Humanities | 3 | |
| Core II Natural/Physical Science | 4 | |
| Core II Social Science | 3 | |
| Additional University Requirements | ||
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Multicultural/International | 3 | |
| Capstone 1 | 3 | |
BA in Art Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Art Major | ||
| ART 101 | Visual Culture and Research | 3 |
| ART 201 | History of Art I (CT) | 3 |
| ART 202 | History of Art II (CT) | 3 |
| Art History Area of Emphasis Requirements | ||
| ART 389 | 20th Century Art | 3 |
| ART 464 | History of Modern Design | 3 |
| ART 485 | Independent Study (Directed Research in Art History) | 1-4 |
| ART 486 | Independent Study (Capstone) 1 | 3 |
| Select 18 credits from the following: | 18 | |
| Iconography of Mary | ||
| Tribal Arts | ||
| Art & Arch of Ancient Egypt | ||
| 19th Century Art | ||
| Art of Ancient Rome | ||
| Art & Arch Italian Renaissance | ||
| Northern Renaissance Art | ||
| Baroque Art | ||
| Women and Art | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Studio Art Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Total Art Major Credit Hours | 52 | |
| Minor 3 | 15–18 | |
| Electives Outside of the Major | 17–29 | |
A minimum of 120 credit hours are required for this major.
- 1
Art History students will complete a capstone project appropriate to their emphasis area. Projects must be approved by the student’s capstone advisor.
- 2
Select twelve (12) credit hours from 200- and 300-level studio courses; may include foundation courses.
- 3
Students may elect to complete a second major with their non-art electives rather than a minor, depending upon their career goals.
Semester Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credit Hours | |
| ART 101 | Visual Culture and Research | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Beginning Composition | 3 |
| FYS 100 | First Yr Sem Critical Thinking | 3 |
| MTH 121 | Concepts and Applications (CT) | 3 |
| UNI 100 | Freshman First Class | 1 |
| ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 201 | History of Art I (CT) | 3 |
| CMM 103 | Fund Speech-Communication | 3 |
| ENG 201 | Advanced Composition | 3 |
| ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART 202 | History of Art II (CT) | 3 |
| ART History Elective (Pre-Renaissance) | 3 | |
| ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Core II Natural/Physical Science | 4 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 389 | 20th Century Art | 3 |
| ART History Elective | 3 | |
| ART Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Core II Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART 464 | History of Modern Design | 3 |
| ART History Elective | 3 | |
| Core II Social Science (M/I) | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART History Elective | 3 | |
| Core II Humanities (WI) | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ART 485 | Independent Study (Directed Research in Art History) | 3 |
| ART History Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 1 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ART 486 | Independent Study (Capstone) 1 | 3 |
| ART History Elective | 3 | |
| CT Course | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Minor or Non-Art Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Students will complete a capstone project appropriate to their emphasis area. Projects must be approved by the student's capstone advisor.