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Art History as a Discipline and as a Liberal Arts Education
Art History is the study of the visual arts in civilization.
It examines changing values in all fields of visual culture,
including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography, architecture,
film, the mass media, and forms of popular expression. Its
interdisciplinary reach encompasses literature, history, anthropology,
sociology, philosophy, gender studies, critical theory, and
cultural studies. Art History emphasizes visual as well as
verbal and written literacy, providing more than the standard
advantages to a liberal arts education.
The Art History Major
The student majoring in art history begins with courses that
survey the arts of Asia, Europe, and America. More specialized
lecture courses and proseminars follow in Ancient, Renaissance,
Baroque, Modern, and Contemporary American, European, and
Asian art and culture. At the same time, students are encouraged
to complement the major with advanced work in related disciplines
such as classics, religion, history, philosophy, literature,
sociology, anthropology, gender studies, American studies,
East Asian studies, and foreign languages
Career Options
A major in Art History develops critical thinking and the
integration of research and knowledge. It provides an excellent
grounding for professions as diverse as law, medicine, and
business. The major prepares students for advanced study in
Art History, Architecture, and Cultural Studies. It also serves
as the foundation for careers in teaching, arts administration,
museums, galleries, historic preservation, art libraries,
publishing, journalism, advertising, art conservation, and
art investment. As the world becomes increasingly flooded
with images, critical visual "reading" skills become more
and more important for a wide variety of careers.
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