Academics

Department of Art > Requirements

Art Major
Students may major in the department in one of two ways. They may major in art history by taking courses in that area with a minimum of two required courses in studio art, or they may choose to major in studio art, which equally entails the study of art history. The two possible tracks are designated art history and studio art.

Freshmen considering a major in art should sign up for either Art 110 or Art 130, as these are both entry-level courses required of all art majors. Art 130 is a prerequisite for all other studio art courses in the department, except for Art 131 and Art 132. Many upper level Art History courses have no prerequisites in order to allow majors from other departments to explore areas of particular interest. Majors in the department are advised to take Art 110 early in their programs, as this course offers conceptual and practical background for later courses. Courses taken with the Credit-D-Fail option do not count toward the Art major.

Art History Track
A minimum of nine credits is required. Art 110 is the first course that students choosing the art history track should take. This course provides a general framework for study of the discipline of art history. It is required for majors. To gain exposure to the processes of visual thinking, students in the art history track must take at least two studio art courses, Art 130 and Art 131. Credit toward the art history major requires a grade of C or better in art history courses.

Courses numbered in the 200 range are usually period surveys, which do not carry prerequisites. These courses cover major periods of Western art history and also offer introductory coverage of non-Western cultures. Art history majors must pass at least three courses from this group.

Courses in the 300 range are more intensive studies of individual problems or topics; majors must pass at least one course at this level.

Art history majors planning to go on to graduate study are advised to acquire a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language, preferably French or German.

Art History majors will fulfill the Senior Studies requirement by taking Art 485. Exceptional students may, in addition, undertake a senior thesis in Art History, Art 494, directed by a member of the faculty.

Studio Art Track
A minimum of nine credits is required. Art 130 is the recommended first course for students choosing the studio art track; it is a requirement for studio art majors, and the pre-requisite for almost all other studio art courses. Studio art majors must also take Art 131 and three more studio art courses. Of these three, one must be in a hands-on, two-dimensional discipline. This requirement can be fulfilled either by Art 230 (Painting), Art 231 (Figure Drawing), Art 331 (Advanced Drawing), or Art 335 (Mixed Media). One course must be in a hands-on, three-dimensional discipline. This requirement can be fulfilled either by Art 233 (Sculpture), Art 236 (Ceramics), or Art 333 (Advanced Sculpture). At least one studio course must be taken at the 300-level. Studio majors must also take Art 110 and two other art history courses, of which one must be either Art 218 or Art 360. Credit toward the studio art major requires a grade of C or better in studio art courses.

Studio majors will fulfill the Senior Studies requirement by taking Art 481. Exceptional students may, in addition, undertake a senior creative project or thesis project in art, Art 492, directed by a member of the faculty.

Art Minor
As with the major, the art department offers a minor in two tracks. The minor requires six courses. The art history minor requires Art 110, 130, one more studio art course, and three other art history courses; the studio minor requires Art 110, Art 130, one additional art history course, and three more studio art courses.