COURSE CURRICULUM

The BA in Art History and Criticism includes a structured curriculum that blends foundational studio experience with extensive coursework in art history and critical analysis. Students begin with core classes such as Creative Strategies, Observational Drawing, and Materials and Making, which provide a grounding in visual thinking and artistic processes. Alongside these, students take introductory art history courses like Current Art and Intercultural History of Art, offering insight into both contemporary practices and global historical traditions. The capstone experience is the Senior Thesis, a research-based project that demonstrates students’ ability to apply analytical methods and art historical knowledge to an original argument or interpretation.In addition to the core, students must complete at least 24 credit hours from a broad selection of upper-level art history courses. These include surveys of major historical periods and movements such as Greek and Roman Art, the Renaissance (Early, High, Late, and Northern), Baroque Art, and Nineteenth-Century Art. More modern offerings include Modern Art, Contemporary Art from the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and specialized courses in Art Theory and Criticism. Students may also explore topical seminars through repeatable courses like Topics in Art History and Art Theory and Criticism, allowing for deeper investigation into specific themes or movements. Additional interdisciplinary perspectives are offered through courses such as Cultural Organizations: Structure and Theory and Philosophy and Art, enriching students' understanding of the broader intellectual and institutional contexts of art. This flexible but rigorous program fosters both historical depth and critical versatility, preparing students to engage meaningfully with visual culture in academic, curatorial, or other professional settings. It is offered through the Department of Art, Design, and Art History in the Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts.