Art History Major
The Art History major consists of 45 credit hours. The core requirements for the major are: two general surveys of the field (History of Art I and II); one course in each of four areas of specialization (Modern and Contemporary Art, Non-Western Art, Design, and Photography); a course in theory and criticism; and a capstone course (Advanced Seminar in Art History). Through these core requirements students will gain an understanding of the major periods of art within the Western tradition and will deepen their knowledge in a wide range of specializations. In all of these courses, students will gain expertise in the formal analysis of art works and will learn to place a work of art in its social, cultural, and intellectual context. By taking Advanced Seminar in Art History and a course in art theory and criticism, students will develop their critical thinking skills and their knowledge of art history methodology.
In addition to the core of art history courses, the Art History major requires students to select one of the four possible areas of specialization and to take two additional 3-credit courses in that area. These four areas were chosen to reflect Columbia?s commitment to expanding the canon of art history and to integrating art history within the broad range of creative practices embraced by the Art + Design Department.
Aside from their core and specialization courses, students must take one additional art history course from a list of electives. They must also take 6 credits of studio art, in order to gain an appreciation for and understanding of the materials, techniques, and processes of creating art, and 6 credits of General Studies courses in addition to the 48 required for graduation, to reinforce their ability to understand the social, cultural, and intellectual contexts of art. Rather than impose specific general education requirements on all students, we prefer to tailor the program to each student?s interests and chosen specialization within art history. The student should thus choose these additional 6 credits of general studies in consultation with his or her advisor. Courses in history, cultural studies, philosophy, literature, foreign languages, music, anthropology, psychology, film, and other areas would all be appropriate for the art history major.
In addition to the core of art history courses, the Art History major requires students to select one of the four possible areas of specialization and to take two additional 3-credit courses in that area. These four areas were chosen to reflect Columbia?s commitment to expanding the canon of art history and to integrating art history within the broad range of creative practices embraced by the Art + Design Department.
Aside from their core and specialization courses, students must take one additional art history course from a list of electives. They must also take 6 credits of studio art, in order to gain an appreciation for and understanding of the materials, techniques, and processes of creating art, and 6 credits of General Studies courses in addition to the 48 required for graduation, to reinforce their ability to understand the social, cultural, and intellectual contexts of art. Rather than impose specific general education requirements on all students, we prefer to tailor the program to each student?s interests and chosen specialization within art history. The student should thus choose these additional 6 credits of general studies in consultation with his or her advisor. Courses in history, cultural studies, philosophy, literature, foreign languages, music, anthropology, psychology, film, and other areas would all be appropriate for the art history major.