爱荷华大学

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

acquire breadth of knowledge about the field of art history through course work in a diversity of areas;
learn that art embodies historical, cultural, social, and political factors within a diverse range of national, international, and global cultures;
acquire critical skills in visual analysis and writing; and
develop and apply research skills.

Overview

The program in art history engages in problems of historical analysis and in interpretation of culture. The major provides students with a strong liberal arts background and prepares them for competitive placement in graduate schools across the country. As students progress through the major, they become familiar with historical relationships between art objects and society, learn techniques of visual analysis, study patterns of patronage, and apply methods for interpreting the meanings of art, architecture, and other forms of visual culture. In the course of their studies, art history majors develop their research abilities and writing skills.

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in art history requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 45 s.h. of work for the major. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences GE CLAS Core.

Students may count a maximum of 56 s.h. earned in art and art history courses toward the degree; they must earn at least 64 s.h. of credit in courses outside the School of Art and Art History in order to graduate.

B.A. students with a double major in the school (e.g., a major in art history and a major in art) or a major and a minor in the school (e.g., a major in art history and a minor in art) must earn at least 56 s.h. of credit in courses outside the School of Art and Art History in order to graduate.

Many graduates go on to careers in academics, in museums, or in private art galleries. Those who wish to work as professors, museum curators, or museum directors typically pursue graduate study in art history. Some graduates instead pursue advanced study in fields such as architecture, information science, museum studies, and law. Others may begin careers immediately, working in galleries and museums as arts administrators and catalogers, writing art criticism, or applying their skills in writing and visual analysis to disciplines beyond the arts.