COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History & Global Cultures is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in art history, visual culture, and global artistic traditions. The lower-division requirements focus on building fundamental knowledge and skills, including courses in art history methodologies, globalization and visual culture, foundational art history, and beginning-level studio art or creative technology courses. Students also complete an introductory photography course and one additional foundation-level studio art course to develop practical artistic skills alongside their historical and theoretical understanding.Upper-division requirements emphasize advanced study and independent research. Students take courses covering specialized topics such as Asian contemporary art, contemporary art and culture of the Americas, and thematic seminars in art history. The program culminates in a capstone sequence, including research methodology, a capstone research seminar, and a conference presentation, which allow students to synthesize their knowledge, develop scholarly research skills, and demonstrate mastery of art historical inquiry. In addition, students are required to complete two courses in a single foreign language, enhancing their ability to engage with primary sources, scholarship, and global perspectives.Overall, the program integrates theoretical, historical, and practical approaches to art, preparing students for careers in museums, galleries, archives, non-profit arts organizations, arts funding agencies, journalism, advertising, and marketing, or for advanced graduate study in art history and related disciplines. With a total of 48–50 units, the BA in Art History & Global Cultures equips students with critical thinking, research proficiency, and cross-cultural awareness, enabling them to engage deeply with the global art world while building professional and academic opportunities.