The major in Art History is designed to increase the student’s understanding of the meaning and purpose of the visual arts across cultures and time. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach, courses examine the historical development, formal expression, and societal role of visual culture, art, and architecture.
Objectives
The philosophy of the Department rests on the premise that its students should receive a broad education that combines creativity and scholarly study. The foremost objective of the majors offered in the Department of Art and Art History is to prepare students intellectually and professionally for a career in Studio Arts and Art History and/or graduate studies. Courses offered to undergraduate majors and non-majors stress the cultural value of the visual arts. The pedagogy aligns with the university’s new initiative of DEI and anti-racism, highlights the strengths, and is consistent with LMU’s branding slogan, “Create the World You Want to Live In.”
Student Learning Outcomes
Students majoring in Art History should be able to:
- Demonstrate that they comprehend historical contexts for diverse artistic traditions.
- Exhibit knowledge of the impact of diverse cultural contexts on the production and understanding of artistic traditions.
Students majoring in Art History should know:
- Methods for analyzing works of visual culture, art, and architecture within their appropriate historical, social, religious, and philosophical contexts.
- How to think critically and articulate clear ideas about visual culture, art, and architecture and their historical and contemporary significance.
- The necessary research and writing skills to formulate and articulate meaningful statements and documents on visual culture, art, and architecture.
Students majoring in Art History are presented with the opportunity to value:
- The aesthetic, theoretical, and historical properties of works of visual culture, art, and architecture.
- The power of visual culture to communicate deep human ideas and emotions.
Major Requirements
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Semester Hours |
| ARHS 2000 | Art and Society: The Ancient Mediterranean | 4 |
| ARHS 2002 | Art and Society: Early Christian to Early Modern | 4 |
| ARHS 2004 | Modernism | 4 |
| 12 |
| |
| 6 |
| 9 |
| ARHS 4800 | Junior/Senior Seminar in Art History 1 | 4 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 22 |
| Total Semester Hours | 34 |
Required
A total number of 39 semester hours for the Art History major. To meet the total number of required semester hours, students may need to take additional upper division art history electives.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 (C) must be obtained in the major requirements.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is required for changing a major into the department.
Highly Recommended
One full year of college-level foreign language (French or German recommended if considering graduate school).
Art History Model Four-Year Plan
Plan of Study Grid
| First Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ARHS 2000 |
Art and Society: The Ancient Mediterranean |
4 |
| FFYS 1000 |
First Year Seminar |
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 13-16 |
| Spring |
|---|
| ARHS 2002 |
Art and Society: Early Christian to Early Modern |
4 |
| RHET 1000 |
Rhetorical Arts |
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 13-16 |
| Sophomore Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ARHS 2004 |
Modernism |
4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 13-16 |
| Spring |
|---|
|
4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 13-16 |
| Junior Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ARHS 4800 |
Junior/Senior Seminar in Art History |
4 |
|
4 |
|
|
|
3-4 |
|
4 |
| | Semester Hours | 15-16 |
| Spring |
|---|
|
4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
4 |
| | Semester Hours | 14-16 |
| Senior Year |
|---|
| Fall |
|---|
| ARHS 4800 |
Junior/Senior Seminar in Art History |
4 |
|
4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 17-20 |
| Spring |
|---|
|
4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
|
3-4 |
| | Semester Hours | 13-16 |
| | Minimum Semester Hours | 111-132 |
Note:
This schedule is typical. The sequence and choices of courses must be decided in consultation with an advisor.
