Art History
Bachelor of Arts
The mission of the Art History program is to promote world art studies in a post-modern age, encourage the celebration of cultural diversity, and stimulate a more inclusive internationalism. Rigorous standards of research are pursued, and particular emphasis is placed on cross-disciplinary methods of analysis and evaluation in historical context.
The program is designed to serve an urban constituency, to attract students from elsewhere, to complement the requirements of studio, applied arts, and art education students, and especially to prepare art history majors to compete nationally at a high level of professionalism. The program prepares candidates to continue with graduate work in art history, as well as for a variety of career possibilities.
Student Profile
Students in the program may have either creative or academic backgrounds and should possess an interest in pursuing a course of study within an interdisciplinary context.
Program Description
The strength and uniqueness of this program lie in the diversity of its faculty, the urban setting of the university, and the multicultural emphasis of the curriculum. Courses are offered in a wide range of fields, including: Ancient Egyptian; Near Eastern; Roman; Medieval; Italian and Northern Renaissance; Nineteenth-and Twentieth-Century European, American, and Latin American; African; African-American; Pre-Columbian; and Contemporary art. Seminars may cover topics such as Iconography and Symbolism in Ancient Egyptian Funerary Art, Pictorial Narrative in the Middle Ages, Orientalism in the Nineteenth Century, Latin American Artists in the United States, Contemporary Art History and Criticism, and Art of African-American Women.
Course Requirements
The following program description conforms to the requirements of the 2007/2008 University Catalog.
College Core Curriculum (60 credit hours)
Area A: Essential Skills (9), English and Mathematics
Area B: Institutional Options (4), Philosophy, Speech and Perspectives
Area C: Humanities and Fine Arts (6)
Area D: Science, Mathematics and Technology (11)
Area E: Social Science (12)
Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major Field (18)
- Art Requirements (9)
- Foreign Language Requirements (6-9)
- Additional non-art course at the 1000/2000 level (0-3)
Area G: Major Courses (30 credit hours)
- Select one course from each of the following areas (15):
(a) Ancient Art, (b) Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque Art; (c) Modern Art (d); Art of Africa and the African Diaspora; and (e) Art of the Americas. Other Art History courses may be chosen to satisfy the distribution requirement in consultation with a departmental adviser (See the catalog for the specific course listings in each area). - Select 4 additional art history courses from all the courses listed in Area G1. (12)
- Select one more Art or Art History course. This course must be an Art Studio, if not already taken. (3)
Art History students are encouraged to declare their major as soon as possible. Declaration of a minor is not required, but students may select one if so desired.
Transfer Credits
Upon acceptance into the University and before initial registration, students who wish to transfer credit for courses taken elsewhere must bring a copy of their transcripts with a GSU transfer evaluation to the School of Art and Design undergraduate advisor in room 117 Art and Humanities. A catalog description, course syllabus, or portfolio review may be required for course evaluation.
Career Opportunities
Manager or curator in museums, galleries, art libraries; museum registrar; museum educator; specialist in historic preservation and conservation; art critic; teacher; research or curatorial consultant.
For more detailed information about the program please see the Georgia State University General Catalogues.
