Students will choose a concentration either in Art History or in Studio Art. Each concentration consists of twelve courses or 48 units, depending on the concentration, chosen in consultation with the major adviser.
Concentration in Art History
The concentration in Art History consists of three foundational 100-level ARTH survey courses (12 units), three ARTH courses at the 300-level (12 units), two additional ARTH electives at either the 200- or 300-level (8 units), two ARTH writing seminars (ARTH 390, which fulfills the Second Stage Writing Requirement for graduation; and ARTH 490, senior seminar) (8 units), and two Studio Art courses (ARTS) for breadth of study (8 units).
Introductory Courses
Students must select three courses from the list below:
ARTH 150 | History of Urban Design | 4 units |
ARTH 160 | Introduction to East Asian Art | 4 units |
ARTH 170 | Introduction to Early European Art | 4 units |
ARTH 180 | Introduction to Later European and American Art | 4 units |
Advanced Courses
Students must complete three ARTH courses at the 300-level.
Additional Electives
Students must complete two ARTH courses at the 200- or 300-level (or equivalent).
In consultation with their advisor, a student may substitute a course outside the department (such as history, literature, religious studies, politics, or philosophy, preferably related to the topic area of the senior thesis) for one of the art history elective courses.
Breadth Requirement
Students must complete at least two courses (8 units) in Studio Art (ARTS designation)
Writing Seminars
Art History majors must complete ARTH 390 (4 units), offered with rotating topics each year.
Art History majors must complete ARTH 490 as two 2-unit courses, or as one 4-unit course.
ARTH 390 | Seminar in Art History | 4 units |
ARTH 490 | Senior Seminar in Art History | 2 units |
Concentration in Studio Art
The concentration in Studio Art consists of three introductory ARTS courses (12 units), two intermediate ARTS courses at the 200-level (8 units), two advanced ARTS courses at the 300-level (8 units), two ARTH courses (8 units), an additional ARTS or ARTH elective (4 units), a four-unit writing seminar in ARTS or ARTH 389 to satisfy the Second Stage Writing Requirement for graduation, plus the studio senior seminar (4 units).
Introductory Courses
ARTS 102 | Painting Fundamentals | 4 units |
ARTS 103 | Sculpture Fundamentals | 4 units |
ARTS 105 | Printmaking Fundamentals: Relief and Intaglio | 4 units |
Intermediate Courses
Students must select two courses from the list below:
Advanced Projects
Students must select two courses from the list below. At least one of these must be completed prior to the start of the senior year.
ARTS 303 | Advanced Projects in Sculpture | 4 units |
ARTS 310 | Advanced Projects in Painting and Drawing | 4 units |
ARTS 330 | Advanced Projects/Printmaking | 4 units |
Art History (8 units)
ARTH 180 | Introduction to Later European and American Art | 4 units |
ARTH 389 | Modern and Contemporary Art | 4 units |
One Additional ARTS Elective (4 units)
Senior Seminar
Students must complete a total of four units of
ARTS 490 to satisfy this requirement.
ARTS 490 | Studio Senior Seminar | 2 or 4 units |
The sequencing of courses is crucial: students should take beginning fundamentals and intermediate courses in the frosh and sophomore years along with ARTH 180; 300-level courses (ARTH 389 Modern and Contemporary, Advanced Projects) in their junior year; and ARTS 490 (Senior Seminar) and any elective studio courses in the senior year. Students may not take a required 100-level course as a senior. At least one 300-level Advanced Projects course in the area of comprehensive project emphasis must be completed before the start of the senior year. ARTS 101 may only be taken as an elective, and does not count as one of the three required introductory courses. Because the maturation of creative ability requires time as well as effort, students who wish to major in studio art should consult with departmental advisors and begin taking studio courses as early as possible in their first year, and should declare a major early in the sophomore year.