Art, Art History Concentration, B.A.

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The BA in Art with a Concentration in Art History is designed for students wishing to concentrate more on the historical analysis of art than on art making. Students focus on historical analysis, research, critical thinking and writing. Their studies give them a foundation for a variety of postgraduate options such as museum and gallery work, art criticism, graduate school, and teaching.

Program Requirements

To become a matriculated art major with a concentration in art history, the student must apply for admission to the program during the semester the foundation courses are being completed or the semester after their completion. No portfolio is required. The student may obtain the appropriate form in the Art Department office.

To receive credit toward the major, the student must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in art history courses. Students are encouraged to acquire a reading knowledge of a foreign language, preferably French or German. Grades of C- or better must be earned to satisfy all major or minor requirements.

The minimum number of credits required for the major: 42.

Minimum number of credits (exclusive of the University’s Core Curriculum) required for the Art, Art History major: 42
Minimum grade requirement for major courses listed below: C-
Minimum GPA requirement for major courses listed below: 2.5

Art Foundation (12 credits)

ARH 111 - Art History: Prehistoric through Medieval Credits: 3
ARH 112 - Art History: Renaissance to the Present Credits: 3
ART 141 - Surface, Space, Time (2D) Credits: 3
or
ART 142 - Surface, Space, Time (3D) Credits: 3
ART 151 - Fundamentals of Perceptual Drawing Credits: 3

Upper-Level Requirements (30 credits)

Choose One (3 credits):
ARH 321 - Classical Art Credits: 3
ARH 322 - Medieval Art Credits: 3
or
ARH 323 - Renaissance Art Credits: 3
ARH 326 - Nineteenth-Century European Art Credits: 3
ARH 327 - Modern Art Credits: 3
or
ARH 328 - Art after 1945 Credits: 3
Required (3 credits):
ARH 310 - Art History: Cross-Cultural Perspectives Credits: 3
ARH 412 - Topics in Art History Credits: 3 (with permission of the Art Department Chair)
As well as the following (18 credits):
ART 400 - Internship in the Visual Arts Credits: 1-6 *3 credits required for the major
Two Art History elective courses (any ARH course at the 300-level or above )
Three approved upper-level electives from one or more of the following areas: Art History, History, Anthropology, Literature, or Classics. Students should consult with their art history advisors to select appropriate courses. (9 credits)

Pre-approved upper-level electives from other departments:

ANT 262 - Women, Arts & Global Tourism Credits: 3
ANT 320 - Anthropology and the Museum Credits: 3
CMS 284 - Introduction to Cinema Studies Credits: 3
CMS 286 - History of International Cinema to 1945 Credits: 3
CMS 288 - History of International Cinema Since 1945 Credits: 3
HTY 374 - Photographing American History Credits: 3
PHI 220 - Philosophy of Art and Visual Culture Credits: 3
PHI 221 - Philosophy of Film Credits: 3

Major Courses that Satisfy Core Requirements

Students are encouraged to explore Core courses that also count towards their major or minor. Courses listed below are part of this major and also satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements. Course lists that satisfy each requirement can be found on the Core Curriculum webpage.

Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 3:
Quantitative Reasoning:
Creative Expression: ART 141 , ART 142 , & ART 151
Cultural Interpretation: ARH 111 & ARH 112
Science Exploration:
Socio-cultural Analysis:
Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship: ARH 312
Culture, Power, and Equity: ARH 310 & ARH 311
International: ARH 111 & ARH 112
Engaged Learning: ARH 418 & ART 400
Capstone: ARH 412

USM Core Requirements

Students must complete all Core and degree requirements as part of the Graduation Requirements. For more information, see Academic Policies.

The USM Core Curriculum provides a coherent, integrative, and rigorous liberal arts education that fulfills general education requirements. It is designed to help students become globally aware, purposeful, and lifelong learners.

Please Note: Core requirements may be part of your major and/or minor, and Core may have been fulfilled with transfer credit. Please consult your MaineStreet Degree Progress Report (DPR) and review your degree progress with your Advisor. For additional information, access the USM Core webpage.