Undergraduate Major Requirements

Please use the outline below as a general guide to the requirements for the department’s major and concentration programs. Students are encouraged to plan their schedules using the Undergraduate Field Distribution Chart. If you have any questions, please email the Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

Students are also encouraged to review the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Major in Art History (AHIS)

  • The Majors’ Colloquium: AHIS UN3000 or AHIS UN3007
  • Seven lecture courses in art history
    • Students must take at least one course in three of four historical periods:
      • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
      • 400-1400
      • 1400-1700
      • 1700-present
    • Students must take an additional two courses covering two of five world regions:
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Europe, North America, Australia
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
    • The remaining two courses are the student's choice.
  • Two seminars in art history
  • A studio course in the visual arts or architecture (which may be taken Pass/Fail)

Combined Major in Art History and Visual Arts (AHVA)

  • The Majors’ Colloquium: AHIS UN3000 or AHIS UN3007
  • Seven lecture courses in art history
    • Students must take at least one course in three of four historical periods:
      • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
      • 400-1400
      • 1400-1700
      • 1700-present
    • Students must take an additional two courses covering two of five world regions:
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Europe, North America, Australia
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
    • The remaining two courses are the student's choice.
  • 21 points in Visual Arts covering: VIAR UN1000 Basic Drawing (3 points); VIAR UN2200 Ceramics I or VIAR UN2300 Sculpture I (3 points); and five additional VIAR 3-point studio courses (15 points)
  • Either one seminar in the Department of Art History and Archaeology, or a senior project in Visual Arts (pending approval by the Visual Arts Department)

The combined major requires fulfillment of sixteen or seventeen courses. It is recommended that students interested in this major begin coursework toward the requirements in their sophomore year.

Students electing the combined major should meet with either the Director of Undergraduate Studies or the Undergraduate Program Coordinator in Art History, as well as with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Visual Arts Department.

Major in the History and Theory of Architecture (HTAC)

  • The Majors’ Colloquium: AHIS UN3000 or AHIS UN3007
  • AHIS UN1007 Introduction to the History of Architecture
  • Six additional lecture courses in art history, at least three of which must focus on architectural history
    • Students must take at least one course in three of four historical periods:
      • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
      • 400-1400
      • 1400-1700
      • 1700-present
    • Students must take an additional course covering one of four world regions, as follows:
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
    • The remaining two courses are the student's choice.
  • Two seminars in art history or architectural history (*students graduating prior to May 2021 need only one seminar)
  • ARCH UN1020 Introduction to Architectural Design and Visual Culture (which may be taken Pass/Fail)
Courses in the Department of Architecture may substitute for up to two courses in art history with approval of the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

Concentration in Art History

  • Seven lecture courses in art history
    • Students must take at least one course in three of four historical periods:
      • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
      • 400-1400
      • 1400-1700
      • 1700-present
    • Students must take an additional two courses covering two of five world regions:
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Europe, North America, Australia
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
    • The remaining two courses are the student's choice.

Concentration in the History and Theory of Architecture

  • AHIS UN1007 Introduction to the History of Architecture
  • Six additional lecture courses in art history, at least three of which must focus on architectural history
    • Students must take at least one course in three of four historical periods:
      • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
      • 400-1400
      • 1400-1700
      • 1700-present
    • Students must take an additional course covering one of four world regions, as follows:
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Latin America
      • Middle East
    • The remaining two courses are the student's choice.