2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Arts in Art History
The art history major at Grand Valley State University offers students a broad-based knowledge of visual culture, its social and historical contexts of production as well as an introduction to theoretical approaches. The major uses an interdisciplinary model, which offers students opportunities for intensive study within the Department of Visual and Media Arts while allowing them to select from courses offered in other departments across the GVSU campus.
Requirements for a Major in Art History
All art history majors will earn a B.A. degree. Students are required to complete 39 credit hours in art history and studio art courses. Students will also meet the general education requirements, including third semester language proficiency.
Foundations Courses (6 credit hours)
All art history majors are required to take the two introductory courses to provide them with an overview of the chronology and methods of the discipline of art history.
- ART 221 - Survey of Art History I Credits: 3
- ART 222 - Survey of Art History II Credits: 3
Distribution Courses (15 credit hours)
Art history majors are required to take classes covering a range of historical periods and cultures. Students take two courses in Ancient through Early-Modern Art as well as two courses in Modern and Contemporary Art categories for a total of 12 credit hours. In addition, one course is required from the World Art category for an additional three hours toward the distribution requirements.
Ancient through Early-Modern Art
Choose two courses:
- ART 322 - Goths to Gothic: Medieval Art Credits: 3
- ART 323 - Rethinking Renaissance Art Credits: 3
- CLA 250 - Classical Art and Archaeology Credits: 3
Modern and Contemporary Art
Choose two courses:
- ART 325 - Nineteenth-Century Art Credits: 3
- ART 327 - Art Since 1945 Credits: 3
- ART 421 - Surrealism Credits: 3
- ART 425 - Depicting a Nation: 19th Century American Art Credits: 3
World Art
Choose one course:
- ART 420 - Asian Art Credits: 3
- ART 422 - Art and the Worlds of Islam Credits: 3
Studio Requirements (6 credit hours)
Select two courses from the list below:
- ART 150 - Foundations: 2-D Design (3 credits)
- ART 151 - Foundations: 3-D Design (3 credits)
- ART 152 - Foundations: Color and Design (3 credits)
- ART 153 - Foundations: Making and Meaning in Art and Design (3 credits)
- ART 155 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing I (3 credits)
- ART 157 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing II (3 credits)
- 200-level studio course in any emphasis area
Capstone and Senior Thesis (6 credit hours)
After they have completed their other art history requirements, students take a Capstone seminar, which offers them a discussion-intensive classroom experience. During their final semester, students complete a senior thesis with the assistance of their academic advisor.
- ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone) Credits: 3
Art History Electives: 6 credit hours
- ART 218 - Design History Credits: 3
- ART 322 - Goths to Gothic: Medieval Art Credits: 3
- ART 323 - Rethinking Renaissance Art Credits: 3
- ART 325 - Nineteenth-Century Art Credits: 3
- ART 327 - Art Since 1945 Credits: 3
- ART 380 - Special Topics in Art and Design Credits: 1 to 3 (history emphasis)
- ART 420 - Asian Art Credits: 3
- ART 421 - Surrealism Credits: 3
- ART 422 - Art and the Worlds of Islam Credits: 3
- ART 425 - Depicting a Nation: 19th Century American Art Credits: 3
- CLA 250 - Classical Art and Archaeology Credits: 3
- FVP 225 - Film Culture Credits: 3
- FVP 348 - Film Theories Credits: 3
- COM 373 - Women and Minorities in Film and Television Credits: 3
- PHO 366 - History of Photography II Credits: 3
- PHI 220 - Aesthetics Credits: 3
- SOC 289 - Sociology of Art Credits: 3
Distribution of General Education Requirements
Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their advisors and create individual study plans appropriate to their area of interest in the major. These courses allow students to enrich their understanding of the cultural contexts for art production. Students may combine these courses to meet other requirements in the art history and general education programs. Some possible fields of exploration include - sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, literature, music history, theater history, and languages.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Art History
Freshman Year, Fall Semester:
- ART 221 - Survey of Art History I (3 credits)
- WRT 150 - Strategies in Writing (4 credits)
- First semester foreign language Credits: 4
- One general education elective Credits: 3
Freshman Year, Winter Semester:
- ART 222 - Survey of Art History II (3 credits)
- Second semester foreign language Credits: 4
- Two general education electives Credits: 6
Sophomore Year, Fall Semester:
- Two art history distribution courses Credits: 6
- Third semester foreign language Credits: 4
- One studio elective Credits: 3
- One general education elective Credits: 3
Sophomore Year, Winter Semester:
- Two art history distribution courses Credits: 6
- One Issues course Credits: 3
- Two general education electives Credits: 6
- Complete the second SWS course
Junior Year, Fall Semester:
- One art history distribution course Credits: 3
- One art history elective Credits: 3
- One Issues course Credits: 3
- One studio elective Credits: 3
- One general education elective Credits: 3
Junior Year, Winter Semester:
- One art history elective Credits: 3
- Four electives - general education/additional art history/second major/minor Credits: 15
Senior Year, Fall Semester:
- ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone) (3 credits)
- Four electives - general education/additional art history/second major/minor Credits: 12
Senior Year, Winter Semester:
- Complete senior thesis requirement Credits: 3
- Four electives - general education/additional art history/second major/minor Credits: 12