Art History - BA

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Caine College of the Arts

Department of Art and Design

About This Degree

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History offers undergraduates the opportunity to build a strong, interdisciplinary foundation for careers in art-related fields and other fields in which in-depth critical understanding of visual communication plays a central role.

The Bachelor of Arts in Art History, as defined by NASAD (the National Association of Schools of Art and Design), “requires a thorough grounding in the liberal arts with a concentration of coursework in art and art history,” including “a general knowledge of the monuments and principal artists of all major art periods of the past…augmented by study in greater depth and precision of several cultures and periods…[and] study at the advanced level…including theory, analysis and criticism.”

For more information about Art History, see the department website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
NOTE: Courses must be decided upon in consultation with a member of the Art History faculty.
There are two different tracks available (see Track 1 suggested degree map or Track 2 suggested degree map).
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is the fulfillment of the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU are admitted with a 3.0 GPA.

Additional Requirements

A GPA of 3.0 is required for the BA degree in Art History. A grade of B- or better is required in all art (ART) and art history (ARTH) classes. Major requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis, except ART 2700.

Upon completion of the program, students are asked to assemble a portfolio of their work documenting their progress and demonstrating the development of their research and writing skills.

Art History Foundation Requirements (7 credits)

ARTH 2710 - Survey of Western Art: Prehistoric to Medieval (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ARTH 2720 - Survey of Western Art: Renaissance to Post-Modern (BHU) 3 credit(s)
ART 2700 - Fine Art Seminar 0.5 credit(s) (take 1 credit for Foundation Requirement)

Art History Creative Elective (3 credits)

Choose 1 of the following:

ART 1020 - Drawing I (BCA) 3 credit(s)
ART 1120 - Two-Dimensional Design 3 credit(s)
ART 1130 - Three-Dimensional Design 3 credit(s)

History Elective (6 credits)

Choose 2 of the following:

HIST 1100 - European History to 1500 (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1110 - European History from 1500 (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1500 - Pre-Modern World (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1510 - The Modern World (BHU) 3 credit(s)
HIST 1700 - American History (BAI) 3 credit(s)

Requirements - Track 1 (29 credits)

ART 2700 - Fine Art Seminar 0.5 credit(s) (take 2 additional credits)
ARTH 4900 - Senior Capstone Research Seminar in Art History 3 credit(s)
ARTH 3000 Level or Higher (Upper-Division Art History) (24 credits)

Requirements - Track 2 (29 credits)

ART 2700 - Fine Art Seminar 0.5 credit(s) (take 2 additional credits)
ARTH 4900 - Senior Capstone Research Seminar in Art History 3 credit(s)
ARTH 3000 Level or Higher (Upper-Division Art History) (take 24 credits in related fields as designated by area advisor)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.