Mar 28, 2024  
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2010-2011 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art History - Major


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Art history focuses on architecture, painting, and sculpture, as well as on photography, film, performance art, decorative art, historiography, and critical methodology. Art historians study works of art in terms of aesthetic, cultural, and historical issues. The field is concerned with the definitions of style, materials, and modes of execution, in addition to iconographic and other interpretive methods; it also addresses the economic, religious, philosophic, theoretic, and social factors that shape visual culture.

Graduates in the field of art history have found opportunities in art-related fields such as art magazine and book publishing, art galleries, and art councils. Other professional opportunities, however, are available to those who pursue the study of art history at the graduate level, since an advanced degree is requisite for a career in teaching or curatorial work in a museum.

The mission is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as active members of the art historical profession. To accomplish this mission, students:

•Acquire knowledge of diverse cultures and their artistic production in sculpture, painting, and architecture from the pre-historic through the post-modern eras.
•Study artistic styles and developments in the Ancient Near East, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Islam, Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, American, Modern, and Asian cultures and periods.
•Gain factual knowledge about art historical terminology, classifications, methods, and trends.
•Develop skills in the areas of oral and written communication, critical thinking, visual analysis, and research strategies.

Required Courses for Art History Major


Art History Majors are required to complete the following 12 credit hours:

Senior Experience for Art History Major


Art historians are expected to conduct research that leads to new points of view, and are expected to be able to present their findings in public venues.  During their final semester of study at Nazareth, Art History majors are required to give a formal presentation of their scholarly work to art faculty and students.  This presentation develops from an academic paper written for an upper level course.

Sample Program for Art History Major


Freshman Year


  • Modern Foreign Language Credits: 6
  • Math and Science Perspectives I Credits: 7
  • Other Perspectives I Credits: 3
As well as:

Sophomore Year


  • Perspectives I Credits: 15
  • Math or Science Perspectives II Credits: 3
  • Other Perspectives II Credits: 3
As well as:

Junior Year


  • Art History Elective Credits: 9
  • Perspectives II Credits: 6
  • Liberal Arts Elective Credits: 6
  • Other Elective Credits: 9

Senior Year


  • Art History Elective Credits: 9
  • Other Elective Credits: 18
As well as:

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