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Hartford Art School

Art History

At a Glance

The art history Bachelor of Arts program offers students a wide variety of courses that cover art from around the globe. Also available as a minor. Also available as a minor.

Full Time
Rolling Admission

Degrees Offered

Total Credits

Bachelor of Arts

Varies

Minor

18

Overview
The art history Bachelor of Arts program offers students a wide variety of courses that cover art from around the globe—Western, African, Mesoamerican, and Asian—and creative traditions in painting, sculpture, graphic arts, decorative arts, ritual objects, architecture, photography, design, performance, experimental media, and eco-art.
Block print of an ocean wave

Special courses in museum and exhibition practices, in writing and research, and in the effects of cultural contact, migrations, and globalization on artistic traditions are offered to art history majors. Students are urged to study abroad and often take advantage of programs in Europe, Africa, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe.

Degree Requirements

Art history students are required to complete 42-43 credits in the art history subject area, including a capstone seminar. Additional studio and general education requirements are outlined below.

For a complete list of credit requirements, visit the course catalog.

Core Classes

ART 105 | Professions in Art History
ART 210 | History of Western Art I
ART 211 | History of Western Art II
ART 215 | Art Across Borders
ART 216 | Introduction to Non-Western Art
ART 367 | Museum and Exhibition Practices
ART 492 | Seminar in Art History
ART 493 | Internship

Electives

Art History Elective at 200, 300, or 400 level
5–6 credits of Studio courses
12 Credits at 300 or 400 Level

300- or 400-level courses to be distributed between four of the following areas: Ancient or Medieval; Renaissance, Baroque or Enlightenment; Modern or Contemporary; Non-Western; Topical

Majors are strongly recommended to take a foreign language for at least two semesters and to take courses in CIN, DRA, and HLM.

Additional Requirements

WRT 110 | Academic Writings I
WRT 111 | Academic Writings II
Information Technology (CS 110 recommended)
AUCC | Other Cultures
AUCS | Social Science
AUCT | Science/Technology
AUCW | Western Heritage
Mathematics (M 110 or 112 or 114 or 116)
Humanities and Arts (HIS 100 or 101 required; others can be taken from CIN, DRA, ENG, FR, GER, HIS, ITA, JS or SPA)
9 credits of Additional Humanities
Social Science (EC, POL, PSY or SOC)
Laboratory Science (BIO, CH, PHY or SCI)

Career Ready

Art historians are trained in clear expository writing and critical thinking. They are good researchers and usually have a creative flair.

With these qualities and skills, graduates pursue a variety of careers, including teaching, museum work, archeology, gallery direction, interior design, art conservation, and supervision of visual resource collections. They are also welcome in most business settings and are prepared to enter graduate school in disciplines as diverse as environmental studies or law.

Art History

Amanda Carlson
Associate Professor of Art History
Art History
History and Philosophy

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Alexandra "Zee" Onuf
Associate Professor, Chair of Art History
History and Philosophy
Art History

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Rashmi Viswanathan
Assistant Professor of Art History
Art History
History and Philosophy

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Mari Skarp-Bogli
Adjunct Professor
History and Philosophy
Art History

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Joy Pepe
Adjunct Professor of Art History
History and Philosophy
Art History

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Chung-Lan Wang
Adjunct Professor
Art History
History and Philosophy

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Norell Ferguson

BA Art History, 2013

Norell completed a graduate thesis, Across Traditions, about how architecture and design impact faith, spirituality, and interfaith relations. One of her first professional projects was to begin planning an art program at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts.

“The Hartford Art School was instrumental in teaching me how to work hard, think critically, ask the right questions, and effectively communicate my ideas. As I grow as a designer, I hope to continue to explore the important role of art in architecture, design, and human wellbeing.”