Art History
What is Art History?
Art history is the study of art and architecture created in both the past and present
by artists, architects, and craftspersons from various cultures ranging from antiquity
to the contemporary world. What constitutes as art can range from traditional fine
art (such as paintings and sculptures), objects in popular culture, and archaeological
artifacts. Art and architecture is made for a variety of reasons from a variety of
different materials; it can be a reflection of the artist’s life, a culture’s religious
beliefs, or a source of political propaganda. The art historian seeks to interpret
and understand art and architecture by using a variety of different methods including
learning about artists' lives, and attempting to understand the societies in which
the art was produced. In addition to learning the social, historical, cultural, and
aesthetic significance of the visual arts, students in Art History acquire a knowledge
of critical analysis, interpretive skills, research, communication, and creativity. Majoring
in Art History can provide a sound preparation for jobs in traditional art historical
fields such as museums, galleries, and auction houses. In addition, it also provides
an advantage for entry into a variety of professional fields such as law, medicine,
and business, especially given the increasing demand by professional schools that
applicants have a broad intellectual background.
There are several areas of specialization available to a student majoring in Art History
for both the BA and BFA degrees, including Ancient (3500 BC-500 AD); Medieval (1-1300
AD); Renaissance, Baroque, Eighteenth Century (14th to 18th centuries); Modern (19th
and early 20th century), and Contemporary (1965-Present). While students may choose
an area of specialization, they will be required to take at least one class in all
five areas of study.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
The BA degree offers the student a degree with a greater breadth of knowledge by giving
the student the opportunity to minor in a field of study in other areas of the humanities,
science, or business. The BA degree also requires four semesters (two years) of a
foreign language, important not only for pursuing an art history career, but also
for business and law degrees. Students who plan to pursue a graduate degree in Art
History, Classical Archaeology, Religious Studies, Museum Studies, and Education benefit
from a degree in Art History. The BA also provides a sound academic background for
students who intend to pursue graduate or professional degrees such as law, business,
marketing, and medicine where observation and critical thinking skills are a must.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
The BFA is designed for students who are interested in the practical application and
production of art. The BFA allows students to further focus their studies in a specialized
field of art history culminating in an undergraduate thesis, as well as engaging in
a secondary concentration in an area of studio art. Students going into art education,
art therapy, art preservation, and art restoration, or who want to explore their artistic
side often pursue this degree.
Art History Minor
The art history minor requires 21 hours in art history courses, including ARH 103
and ARH 123. The art history minor allows students to explore a variety of courses
in different eras or to focus in on one or two specific periods. While many art history
minors are majors in Anthropology, Classics, History, English, and Studio Art, we
also have had minors in a variety of other fields. The Art History minor will compliment
any major and is great for anyone who wants a general knowledge of art and architecture
before traveling both nationally and internationally.
Areas of Study
Ancient (3500 BC-500 AD)
Students who choose to focus on Ancient art, architecture, and archaeology will be
concentrating primarily on the art of Greece and Rome, including such famous monuments
as the Parthenon in Athens, the Pantheon and the Colosseum in Rome, and the ancient
city of Pompeii. Compared to the other fields of art history, there is a greater emphasis
on archaeology in this area of study. Many students in this field choose to go on
to pursue graduate degrees in Classical art and archaeology and/or work in museums
with a large ancient collection. All of the courses in this field are cross-listed
with Classics and can be used towards minors in Museum Studies and Classical Studies,
as well as majors in Philosophy and Classics. Minors that pair well with a BA degree
in this area are Anthropology, Classical Studies, History, Museum Studies, Foreign
Languages, and Religious Studies. For those students interested in art restoration,
a Chemistry minor is suggested. For those students pursuing a BFA with a concentration
in Art History with an emphasis in ancient art and architecture, a secondary in ceramics,
sculpture, painting, or interdisciplinary is desirable.
Medieval (1-1300 AD)
Students who choose this field of art history will focus on the art and architecture
of the Europe and the Near East during the Middle Ages. In this period of art history
there is a strong emphasis on Christian and Islamic art and architecture that include
monuments such as the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and Notre Dame in Paris. This
field of study is of great interest to students interested in the rise of Christianity
and Islamic religions. There is often an emphasis on religious, sculptural, and architectural
themes in this area of art history. All of the courses in this field can be used towards
a minor in Museum Studies. Minors that pair well with an Art History degree in this
area are Anthropology, Classical Studies, History, Museum Studies, Foreign Languages,
Philosophy, and Religious Studies. For those students interested in art restoration,
a Chemistry minor is suggested. For those students pursuing a BFA with a concentration
in Art History with an emphasis in medieval art and architecture, a secondary in ceramics,
glass, painting, sculpture, or interdisciplinary is desirable.
Renaissance, Baroque, and the Eighteenth Century (14th-18th centuries)
This area if art history is often referred to as the early modern era is an exciting
period in the world of art architecture. Students who choose this field of study will
explore the art and architecture of Europe beginning in the Renaissance to the French
Revolution. The study of the early modern era begins with "rebirth" (Renaissance)
of the visual arts, focusing on the artistic works of the great Italian and Northern
Renaissance masters, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Albrecht
Dürer and Jan van Eyck. The Renaissance is followed by the art of the counter-reformation
in the 17th century - Baroque Art and Architecture - including such artists as Caravaggio,
Rubens, Rembrandt, and Velazquez. Students will examine along with the impact of the
Counter Reformation, global exploration and early modern science on the art and architecture
of the period. The early modern period comes to a close with the art and architecture
in Europe and the Americas during the 18th century, a period of rich cultural and
intellectual exchange known as the "Enlightenment." Classes in this area address a
number of key themes in the playful, sensual style known as the Rococo; complex treatments
of gender; the fascination with nature and science; and encounters both economic and
cultural with people of other parts of the world, notably China. Minors that pair
well with a BA degree in this area are Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, Foreign
Languages, Gender Studies, International Studies, Natural Sciences such as Biology,
Philosophy, and Religious Studies. For those students interested in art restoration,
a Chemistry minor is desirable. For those students pursuing a BFA with a concentration
in Art History with an emphasis in early modern art and architecture, a secondary
in glass, painting, pottery, printmaking, sculpture, or interdisciplinary is desirable.
Modern (19th and early 20th century)
Students who choose this field of art history will focus on the art and architecture
of Europe and the United States during the 19th and early 20th century. In this period
of art history there is a strong emphasis on the rapid changes resulting from industrialism
and democratic revolutionary movements. The major movements in the period of Modern
art include Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism, and Cubism,
most of which developed in the art center of Paris. There is often an emphasis on
social and political themes in this area of art history. All of the courses in this
field can be used towards a minor in Museum Studies. Minors that pair well with an
Art History degree in this area are History, Museum Studies, Foreign Languages, Philosophy,
International Studies, and Gender Studies. For those students interested in art restoration,
a Chemistry minor is suggested. For those students pursuing a BFA with a concentration
in Art History with an emphasis in Modern art and architecture, a secondary in glass,
painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or interdisciplinary is desirable.
Contemporary (1965-Present)
Students who choose this field of art history will focus on the art and architecture
from the mid-20th to the 21st century from around the globe with emphasis on the United
States. In this period of art history there is a break from the modernist artistic
canon and a desire to move away from the traditional Western cultural model, preferring
instead global, multicultural, interdisciplinary, and multimedia practices. Some of
the movements in the period of Contemporary art include Pop Art, Minimalism, Conceptual
Art, Performance Art, and Neo-Expressionism to name a few. There is often an emphasis
on social and political themes in this area of art history. All of the courses in
this field can be used towards a minor in Museum Studies. Minors that pair well with
an Art History degree in this area are History, Museum Studies, Foreign Languages,
Philosophy, International Studies and Gender Studies. For those students interested
in art restoration, a Chemistry minor is suggested. For those students pursuing a
BFA with a concentration in Art History with an emphasis in Contemporary art and architecture,
a secondary in animation, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or
interdisciplinary is desirable.
Questions? Contact our faculty
Dr. Kara Burns at kkburns@southalabama.edu
For more information about the course, please see the University Bulletin.
