Art Major

Requirements

The major consists of a minimum of twelve courses, ten in studio art and two in art history. The ten studio art courses must be chosen to satisfy the requirements listed below. A single course may fulfill more than one requirement for the major.

One 100-level course:

These courses may also count toward an additional requirement for the major.

One course in three-dimensional work:

One course incorporating digital media:

One course in drawing:

3 Studio Art Electives

Any studio art course will satisfy this requirement to bring a student's total number of studio art courses to 10 (including the Senior Year requirements below).

2 Courses in Art History

Students may satisfy this requirement with ANY two courses offered in the Art History Department. Students may, with permission of the Art Department, replace one of the two required art history courses with an appropriate substitute taught by another department. Students should consult their Art Department advisor and faculty to pursue art history offerings best suited to their educational plan.

The Senior Year

The signature experience of majoring in Art at Connecticut College is your individual and communal development in your studio and with your peers. The Senior Year consists of our 4-credit Seminar for Art Majors (ART 349, which is taken in the Fall semester of a student's senior year, unless given permission by their advisor and the department) and two semesters (8 credits) of Individual Study with one’s adviser, either as Senior Studio (ART 449 and ART 450) or as an Honors Study (ART 497 and ART 498). 

Your path to the major: Students wishing to major in art should submit a portfolio for departmental review while enrolled in their fifth or sixth course toward the major (including art history courses). However, prospective art majors should meet with Art Department faculty as soon as possible to declare interest in the major and be assigned an advisor. Prospective majors should also work toward satisfying interim requirements of two courses toward the major by the end of the first year; and five by the end of the sophomore year. By the end of the junior year, students should have completed nine courses toward the major. Students may take art courses at any level, subject to completion of prerequisites and availability of space.

Senior art majors are required to present a Thesis Exhibition of their work in their area(s) of concentration. Students must provide photographic or video documentation of the Senior Thesis Exhibition for the departmental collection.

Some courses in studio art and in art history are not offered every semester. Students should plan ahead with their major adviser to assure availability of required courses. Students wishing to study abroad are strongly encouraged to do so during the fall semester of their junior year.