Art History

College: College of Fine Arts
Degree: BA
Specialized Admission: No

Description of Major

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

Majors in the History and Criticism of Art program learn about art, creative practices, and visual and material culture in a wide variety of geographic, cultural and historical contexts. Each student will be able to analyze works of art and artifacts by examining the basic elements of the works studied and by developing a visual memory. At the advanced undergraduate level, students are introduced to theoretical and critical concerns in the discipline and explore one specific culture or historical period in depth. By providing students with the core competencies in the discipline, including a critical aptitude for professionally informed, advanced research in art history, the program objective is to prepare the student for a professional career either in academic art history or in a related profession, including work in museums, archives, galleries, and publishing.

In addition to courses in the various periods and cultures of art history, majors also have the opportunity to take courses in the practice of art. The London, Florence, Valencia, and Paris summer programs are available and are highly recommended as outstanding opportunities to study the history of art in context abroad and to develop techniques of critical analysis. The department also offers Honors in Art History (through the Honors-in-the-Major program) and three minors, in Art History, Museum Studies, and Medieval Studies.

Prerequisite Coursework

All courses except the foreign language coursework require a grade of C or higher.
ART X201 (3) Design I, 2D; or ART X202 or ART X203 or ART X205
ART X300 (3) Drawing I or ART X301 or ART X310
ARH X050 (3) History and Criticism of Art I
ARH X051 (3) History and Criticism of Art II
XXX XXXX (9-12) Competency requirement of a single foreign language

Though students may be admitted into Art History prior to completing all of these courses, all must be completed prior to graduation.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org.

Requirements

Foreign language requirement: Students in this major are required to demonstrate proficiency in a modern or classical foreign language through the intermediate (2220) or equivalent level.

Requirements for Progression to the Upper-Division Major
Students must complete at least 52 hours of credit with a minimum grade point average of 2.0, at least half the required General Education hours including English and mathematics, or an A.A. Degree.

Major Program of Studies at FSU: 45 hours
Students must earn a grade of C or better (C minus is not acceptable) in all courses required for the major except foreign language.

Art History courses (18 hours)
Each of the following:

ARH 2050 (Survey I) (3) Intro. to History and Criticism of Art I: Pre-historic through Medieval
ARH 2051 (Survey II) (3) Intro. to History and Criticism of Art II: Renaissance through Modern
Two ARH XXXX World Arts Courses (6)
Two ARH 4800 (6) Methods of Art Criticism or other approved seminar.

Advanced art history courses (18 hours)
Art history courses at the 3000 or 4000 level. All ancient art history courses at the 3000 level and above are considered to be advanced. Students not minoring in Museum Studies may apply one internship (ARH 4941) toward meeting this requirement. Students should select courses, in consultation with their advisor, that are consistent with their academic and career goals.

Professional Training Courses (3 hours)
ARH 2814 (3) Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age (meets Digital Literacy requirement)

Creative Art (6 hours)
Any two 3-hour courses in studio art will satisfy this requirement. See the Studio Art advisor for recommended courses.

Digital Literacy: 0 hours beyond the major.
Students majoring in Art History will satisfy this requirement by completing ARH 2814, which is required for the major.

Oral Communication Competency: 3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met with an approved college-level course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Total Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 45*
Minor Coursework 0
Foreign Language 0-12, depending on placement
Digital Literacy 0 beyond the major
Oral Communication Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total hours to 120

*Up to 9 hours of major coursework may also be applied to General Education requirements.

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at www.academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. To graduate, students must earn a minimum grade of “C” or better (“C minus" is not acceptable) in all courses required for the major, except foreign language.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Baccalaureate level- Antiquarian Book Trade, Art Advisor, Art Gallery, Art Investment, Artist Representative, Arts Organization, Consultant, Freelance Collection Manager, Freelance Writing, Governmental Agencies, Museum Work, Publishing, Teacher(high school). With further study- Architectural Conservation, Art Law, Art Librarian, Corporate Curator, Curatorial Consultant, Preservation and Conservation, Teacher/Researcher(College/University), Visual Resource Center.

Representative Employers: Museums/Archives, Art Galleries, Television & Radio, School Systems, Colleges & Universities, Art Libraries, Publishing Houses, Newspapers & Magazines, Advertising Agencies, Local, State and Federal Government.