Degree Requirements | Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Bulletin/Fine Arts
Major in History of Art—B.A.
Purpose
This program is designed to acquaint the student with the major developments in the history of art and the discipline and methods of art history, and to elucidate the work of art within the period and culture in which it was produced.
Requirements
Students must complete at least 30 credit hours in art history, including the following:
1. The survey courses A101-A102.
2. 24 credit hours above the 200 level, including at least four courses at the 300 level and at least three courses at the 400 level. (A160 or one 200-level major course may be substituted for one 300-level course.) The 300- and 400-level courses should be distributed among at least four of the following different areas of art history: ancient, medieval, Renaissance and baroque, modern, Asian, African/Oceanic/pre-Columbian, or art theory.
Students must complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.Recommendations
A reading knowledge of a foreign language and a minor in the humanities are recommended. Some studio course work is also recommended.
Residence Requirement
At least 15 credit hours of art history must be completed in residence on the Bloomington campus, including two courses at the 300 level and two courses at the 400 level.
Transferred Credit
All art history and studio courses transferred from another institution or campus must be evaluated by an appropriate faculty member in the School of Fine Arts before they may be applied toward a major in fine arts. See "Transferred Credit Review."
Limit on Fine Arts Credit Hours
A maximum of 63 credit hours of fine arts courses and a maximum of 42 credit hours in art history will count toward the 122 credit hours required for the B.A. degree.
Transferred Credit Review
For a review of transferred studio credit, the student should provide the reviewer with a portfolio consisting of representative work from each area (e.g., painting, sculpture, etc.) for which transfer credit is desired. It should include both studies and finished work. Most studio areas require slides or photographs in lieu of actual objects. The portfolio should be as complete as possible.
Double Major in History of Art and Studio Art
Requirements
Students must meet all the requirements for both majors. It will be acceptable to count a maximum of four art history courses toward both majors. A maximum of 63 credit hours in art history courses and studio courses will apply to a B.A. degree for students completing this double major.
Minor in History of Art
Requirements
Students must complete five courses in art history, with at least three courses at the 300 or 400 level. Courses must be completed with a C- or better. At least two of these courses must be taken on the Bloomington campus.
About History of Art Majors
In order to declare a major in History of Art students must have completed 26 credit hours including an English Composition course, a Math Fundamental course, and a COAS Topics course. When these requirements have been satisfied the student's records are certified into the College of Arts and Sciences from University Division. Thus, most students coming into an art history major will be at the sophomore level or above. Art History majors must fulfill all the academic requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences as well as their history of art major for a total of 122 credit hours. For detailed information about degree requirements, please consult a College of Arts and Sciences bulletin. The Undergraduate Advisor is available to discuss any questions regarding the curriculum and degree requirements.
