Art History, B.A.

(36 credit hours)

The art history track allows students to explore and critically analyze a wide variety of images and objects from around the world in their historical and cultural contexts. Students will have access to Sweet Briar’s collection and opportunities for travel both in the United States and abroad.

What Can You Do With a Degree in Art History?

~ Museum/Gallery Management

~ Art Preservation/Restoration

~ Art Appraisal/Antiques

~ Fundraising/Development

~ Law

~ Teaching

Required

The following requirements are needed to complete the major in Art History.

Program Core

Complete the following history of art courses (6 hours):

Major Electives

Choose five of the following courses with at least two that must be at the 300-level (15 hours):

ARTH 237 - Asian Art CR: 3
ARTH 248 - Art of Africa/African Diaspora CR: 3
ARTH 251 - 19th Century European Art: 1830-1900 CR: 3
ARTH 271 - Art of the Americas CR: 3
ARTH 272 - The Land as Art CR: 3
ARTH 276 - Special Topics in Art History CR: 3
ARTH 288 - Late Antique, Early Medieval Mediterranean, European, and Islamic Art (300-1000) CR: 3
ARTH 314 - The Medieval Book CR: 3
ARTH 328 - 20th Century Art -1900-1970 CR: 3
ARTH 332 - Women and Art CR: 3
ARTH 355 - Contemporary Art and Theory CR: 3
ARTH 377 - Internship CR: 1-3

Additional Electives

Choose four of the following courses (12 hours):

ARAS 220 - Cultural Heritage Management and Stewardship Abroad CR: 3
ARAS 225 - The Ancient World in 12 Objects CR: 3
DART 123 - Art, Science, and History Onstage: The Smithsonian CR: 3
ENCW 224 - Literary Magazine Publishing CR: 3
ENVR 305 - Gardens: Then and Now CR: 3.0
HIST 207 - Hollywood and (US) History CR: 3
HIST 214 - Building the Past CR: 3
HIST 220 - Introduction to Public History CR: 3
HIST 346 - Telling the Told: Oral History CR: 3
PHIL 236 - Philosophy and the Arts CR: 3
THTR 214 - Performance Lab CR: 3
Any SART course

Senior Seminar

Generally taken in the second semester of the senior year (3 hours):

ARTH 453 - Senior Seminar III CR: 3

Interested in Graduate/Professional Programs?

If you are interested in pursuing graduate or professional programs for art history, the following courses are recommended in addition to the requirements for the major:

DART 105 - Introduction to Arts Management CR: 4
DART 113 - Technology for the Arts CR: 3
THTR 102 - Public Speaking CR: 3