BA Art History
The Bachelor of Arts in Art History provides a foundation in the history of art and architecture in its cultural and theoretical context. Aesthetic and historical issues have become increasingly central to the creation, display, and reception of art. Division of Art courses in Art History introduce tools for the making and analysis of art: the history of works of art, the language of art, the cultural context for works of art. The B.A. curriculum concentrates on a broad range of Western European arts, from Ancient and Medieval, through the Renaissance, to Modern and Contemporary Art, with attention to the importance of Critical Theory and contemporary Visual Culture.
Included in the major are required and elective Art History courses, studio art courses, cognate courses, and University-established General Education courses. Each semester, Art History field trips travel to study works in regional museums. The West Virginia University Art Collection provides firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value, and introduces students to curatorial and museum practice. Guest artist and art historian lectures and exhibitions in the Mesaros Galleries are scheduled each semester. Members of the faculty have been recognized through teaching and research awards. In order to broaden their experiences, students are encouraged to study abroad during one or two semesters of the junior year. Opportunities to study the History of Art are also available within the Division of Art’s established International summer programs in Italy, Mexico, and China. In the final semester, the student will complete a senior research project on a topic selected by the student with the approval of the Art History faculty.
Curriculum
Required Courses |
Credits |
|---|---|
| Art 199 - Orientation | 1 |
| Art 11, 112, 121, 122 or other studio | 6 |
| Art 105 - Survey of the History of Art | 3 |
| Art 106 - Survey of the History of Art | 3 |
Cognate Area Required Courses |
Credits |
| Foreign Language (2 year proficiency) | 12 |
| History/Humanities/Anthropology/ Classics | 9 |
| Philosophy/Religion/Women's Studies | 6 |
| Arts and Literature | 6 |
Art History Core |
Credits |
| Art History Majors must select one course from each of the areas listed below: | |
| I. Classics |
|
| 245 - Greek and Roman | 3 |
| 246 - Medieval | 3 |
| II. Western European Traditions | |
| 247 - Northern Renaissance | 3 |
| 248 - Italian Renaissance | 3 |
| 249 - Baroque | 3 |
| III. Modern and Contemporary Studies | |
| 250 - 19th Century | 3 |
| 251 - Modern | 3 |
| 253 - Contemporary | 3 |
Art History Courses |
Credits |
| Art 254/354 - Art Theory | 3 |
| Art 400 - Senior Research Project | 3 |
| Art 395 - Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Art 395 - Senior Seminar | 9 |
| Art 493 - Special Topics | 3 |
Liberal Studies Required Courses |
Credits |
| Cluster A (in two disciplines, beyond Art | 6 |
| Cluster A (in two disciplines, beyond Art | 12 |
| Cluster C (in two disciplines, 1 lab) | 11/13 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Mathematics | 6 |
| Open Elective Courses | 5 |
Total hours required for the BA in Visual Art: (Art History) |
129/131 |
| Students pursuing a minor in Art History must complete the following courses: | Credits |
| Survey of History of Art: 105-106 | 6 |
| Art Theory | 3 |
| 200/300 level Art History Courses or Art 493 | 9 |
| Arts and Literature | 6 |
(It is suggested that one of these courses selected for each field of the History of Art)
