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Art History studies the changing visual expression of values, beliefs and experiences across diverse cultures and over time. It provides training in historical, social and aesthetic understanding, critical thinking, scholarly research, and lucid, thoughtful analysis and writing. More than any other discipline art history sharpens its students’ visual acuity and deepens their visual literacy. In so doing, it prepares them to face the increasingly complex visual world we find ourselves in today.

The Program

The major begins with a series of courses that surveys major landmarks in the history of visual culture, art and architecture in Asia, Europe, and the United States. More advanced lecture courses and seminars focus on particularly important periods and issues. Students are encouraged to personalize their training with internships, independent study, and focused upper division study. Top students considering graduate study are encouraged to engage in more advance study by pursuing a senior honors thesis.

Career Options

A major in Art History develops critical thinking and the integration of research, interpretation and understanding. It provides an excellent liberal arts basis for professions as far ranging as advertising, law, medicine, politics and business. The major prepares students for advanced study in Art History, Architecture, Museum Studies and Cultural Studies. It also serves as the foundation for careers in teaching, arts, administration, museums, galleries, historic preservation, art libraries, publishing, journalism, advertising, art conservation, and art investment. As the world becomes increasingly flooded with images, the critical visual literacy gained through the study of art history becomes more important for a wide variety of careers.

Honors Program

The Honors Program in Art History is encouraged for Art History majors who are considering attending graduate school. To be eligible for the program, a student must have completed at least 135 units and have a grade point average of 3.500 GPA overall, consent of both the prospective thesis advisor, who must be a member of the Art History faculty and the major advisor. In addition to meeting the standard major requirements, the honors student completes one additional undergraduate seminar (course 100 or 190A-L), researches and writes an honors thesis (courses 194HA and 194HB), supervised by the prospective thesis advisor. Students participating in this Program are candidates for Departmental recommendation for graduation with High or Highest Honors. See Academic Information, Letters & Science honors section, and consult Art History.

Teaching Credential Subject Representative

Department Chairperson; see the Teacher Education program.

Graduate Study

The Program in Art History offers studies leading to the Master of Arts degree in History of Art as preparation for further graduate study or professional work. For more information, contact the Graduate Staff Advisor at 530-752-8710, or see Art History.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Requirements & College Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Art History Bachelor of Arts major is 60.

Emphasis in Architectural History

Emphasis in Architectural History follows the same requirements as for the Art History major above, applying at least six of the following to their respective required areas or as electives:

Fulfilling the undergraduate seminar requirement (AHI 192) through an architectural topic is highly recommended.

Emphasis in Museum Studies

The Emphasis in Museum Studies consists of five upper-division courses (20 units) incorporated into the 60-unit major in Art History. Two core courses for the Emphasis in Museum Studies (8 units) take the place of upper division electives in the major. Three additional electives (12 units) are chosen to complete the Emphasis. Beyond these requirements, one or more internships (AHI 192) are highly recommended.