B.A. in Art History
The B.A. degree in art history trains students to negotiate a world saturated with images. It challenges students to confront critically the issues posed by the visual culture that mediates their understanding of the past, present and future. Built on the fertile exchange between the arts and the humanities, art history at SMU subscribes to an interdisciplinary and intercultural approach to learning. Students are taught to think across current categories and boundaries and practice a socially responsible art history. In addition to developing acute visual sensibilities, students acquire the ability to evaluate and organize information, conduct scholarly research and articulate their ideas in both written and spoken language. Students completing this course of study are prepared for advanced training in the field of art history; museum and gallery professions; or work in a broad range of other fields, including publishing, arts administration, teaching and public policy
Note: Only courses passed with a grade of C or better will count toward the major in art history. Courses passed with a grade of C- or less may count toward other, elective requirements in a student's degree plan.
| Requirements for the Degree |
Credit Hours |
| UC/GEC Requirements |
varies |
Foundations:
- ARHS 1307 Introduction to Art History (AP credit may be substituted)
- ARHS 4399 Research and Methods in Art History
|
6 |
Temporalities:
- Six credit hours must cover a period pre-1500 C.E. and six must cover a period post-1500 C.E.; six of these 12 credit hours must have a global perspectives designation
|
12 |
Methods and Theories:
- At least one seminar course
|
6 |
Art History Electives:
- No more than six credit hours at the 1000 level
|
12 |
| Studio Art |
3 |
Language:
- Students must complete the intermediate level in a single second language course
|
12 |
Free Electives:
- Hours vary as needed to meet University residency and degree requirements
- Many art history majors use free elective hours to complete minors or second majors in, anthropology, chemistry (for conservation), English, history, international business, international studies, languages, and psychology.
|
|
| |
122 |
Honors Program
The Art History Honors Program is available to majors with an exceptional academic record who seek a greater intellectual challenge at the end of their four years at SMU. It is conducted as a two-term sequence (fall: ARHS 4391, and spring: ARHS 4392) during senior year, and culminates in a 30-page thesis and faculty review. Students should contact the art history undergraduate adviser for more information.