Degree: B.A., Art History
Department of Art and Art History
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History provides the background for a life-long appreciation of art and the intellectual framework for conducting research in art history. Our discipline explores the cultural, philosophical, historical and global contexts of visual human expressions. Classes focus on styles, issues, media, and individuals and give a broad overview of the complexity of art. Course offerings include both historical periods and thematic approaches that demonstrate the interconnectedness as well as diversity of artistic expression and the rich history of our discipline. Art History faculty connections to UMW current and developing programs in American Studies, Asian Studies, Contemplative Studies, Disability Studies, Museum Studies, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies emphasize our commitment to working across disciplines and seeing Art History as central to the Liberal Arts here at UMW.
The Art History major provides a foundation for any type of career that requires a strong and developed ability to read and write, identify and solve problems, and think critically. Faculty are teacher-scholars engaged in research and professional activities. We work closely with students on student-initiated research topics and invite students to join us on our research. University resources in Simpson Library include strong holdings in Art History and related disciplines as well as subscriptions to Jstor, Artstor, and other databases to support opportunities for expansive and exciting learning. Department and University resources also include scholarships and grants that allow students to conduct on-site research to look at and study art; grants have allowed our students to travel throughout the US as well as Mexico, African nations, and European countries on research.
Proximity to Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and New York City, gives students first-hand experiences of art works. Visiting scholars and artists offer students important networking opportunities, as well as lectures on recent developments in the field. In addition, UMW Galleries bring exciting exhibitions and events to campus while advancing the educational goals of the University through the collection, exhibition, and interpretation of works of art. Students may intern with UMW Galleries as well as the University’s Belmont, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, and the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library to gain experience as catalogers, researchers, administrative assistants, and exhibition installers. Internships allow our students to gain valuable experience and career contacts by working in museums and art institutions not only in Fredericksburg, but in Washington, D.C., Richmond, and beyond. Many of our students have gone on for graduate study in Art History at major institutions and are now employed by museums, galleries, cultural centers, and universities. Others have gone into library science, law, art therapy, publishing, retail design, and business. Our alumnae/i are generous supporters to our program and mentors to current majors.
Student Learning Outcomes
1. Students will demonstrate awareness of the breadth and depth of Western and Asian visual and material culture, both through time and across geographical boundaries.
2. Students will present their work in a written format that demonstrates strong research using primary and secondary resources, solid arguments, supporting evidence, and appropriate format.
3. Students will present their work in an oral format that demonstrates strong research using primary and secondary resources, solid arguments, supporting evidence, and professional delivery.
4. Students will analyze and evaluate primary and secondary visual and textual sources using the vocabulary of the discipline.
5. Students will explain connections between visual properties of the object and its social, cultural, intellectual, and historical contexts and meanings using the vocabulary of the discipline.
6. Students will describe the broad outlines of the history of the discipline as presented in the discipline's foundational texts.
7. Students will apply and evaluate a variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary methods.
8. Students will describe the historical and/or ethical issues related to the collection and display of art.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 114A | Art History: Prehistory to c. 1300 CE, the Mediterranean | 3 |
| ARTH 115A | Art History: c. 1300 CE to the present, Europe and America | 3 |
| ARTH 118 | History of Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 303 | Methods of Art History | 3 |
| Select nine (9) additional courses in Art History including: 1 | 27 | |
At least one 400-level seminar course (ARTH 470) | ||
One course from Asian/Global | ||
One course from Ancient | ||
Two courses from different period areas (Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque) | ||
One course from Modern and Contemporary | ||
Three additional courses in Art History | ||
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
ARTS 105 Design Principles may count as an elective in the major.
General Education Requirements
The general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degrees apply to all students who are seeking to earn an undergraduate B.A., B.S. or B.S.Ed. degree.
Students seeking a Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree have a separate set of BLS general education requirements.
Electives
Elective courses are those that are not needed to fulfill a general education requirement or major program requirement but are chosen by the student to complete the 120 credits required for graduation with a B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. degree or the BLS degree. These courses may be taken graded or pass/fail (or S/U in the case of physical education and 100-level dance). No student in a regular B.A./B.S./B.S.Ed. program may count more than 60 credits in a single discipline toward the 120 credits required for graduation.
Total Credits Required for the Degree: 120 credits
Plan of Study
This suggested plan of study should serve as a guide to assist students when planning their course selections. It is not a substitute for a student's Degree Evaluation or the Program Requirements listed for this major in the catalog. Academic planning is the student's responsibility, and course selections should be finalized only after speaking with an advisor. Students should familiarize themselves with the catalog in effect at the time they matriculated at the University of Mary Washington. Students should also familiarize themselves with general education requirements which can be fulfilled through general electives as well as major/minor course requirements. Course requirements and sequencing may vary with AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge or previous coursework, transfer courses, or other conditions. To be considered full-time, an undergraduate student must be enrolled in 12 or more credits for the semester.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ARTH 114A | Art History: Prehistory to c. 1300 CE, the Mediterranean | 3 |
| FSEM 100 | First-Year Seminar | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTH 115A | Art History: c. 1300 CE to the present, Europe and America | 3 |
| General Education Courses | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARTH 118 | History of Asian Art | 3 |
| Two ARTH Area Requirement Courses 1 | 6 | |
| General Education Courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTH 303 | Methods of Art History | 3 |
| Two ARTH Area Requirement Courses | 6 | |
| General Education Courses or Electives | 6 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| One ARTH Area Requirement Course | 3 | |
| ARTH Elective 2 | 3 | |
| General Education Courses or Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARTH Elective | 3 | |
| General Electives | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARTH 470 | Seminar: Special Studies in Art History | 3 |
| ARTH Elective | 3 | |
| General Electives | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
15 Credits Required.
- 2
9 Credits required.