Art (Art History) - Bachelor of Arts

The art history program is designed to give the student a broad familiarity with the visual arts through the factual and theoretical study of aesthetics, cultural contexts, iconography, stylistic development and technical practices. Students explore a range of methodologies and theoretical lenses through which to study objects and images. Art history coursework opens up broader questions about structures of race, class, sexuality, gender, identity and power as it relates to art, with a particular emphasis on the unique lens of the border region in which we are located. Art history is fundamentally interdisciplinary, therefore, students should take related courses in anthropology, history, languages and literature, music history, philosophy, religion, and theatre historyStudents are strongly encouraged to study at least one other language to prepare them for advanced research in the discipline, as the study of art is especially dependent on written sources in other languages. A degree in art history is excellent preparation for a range of careers, including in museum and galleries, education, travel and tourism, auction houses and estate sales, art and copyright law, equity analysis and public relations, arts correspondence and journalism, appraisal, libraries and archives, and more.

Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education
Area I: Communications10
English Composition - Level 1 1
English Composition - Level 2 1
Oral Communication 1
Area II: Mathematics 23-4
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences10-11
Area III: Laboratory Sciences Course (4 credits) 1
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits) 1
Either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences Course or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (4 or 3 credits) 1
Area V: Humanities 13
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts
ARTH 2110GHistory of Art I3
General Education Elective
ARTH 2120GHistory of Art II3
Viewing a Wider World 36
Departmental/College Requirements
Both ART 2110G and ART 2120G count towards Area VI and the General Education elective and Departmental/College Requirements
ARTS 1121STUDIO CORE I: Concept Development--Process and Play3
ARTH 2136Writing in Art3
ARTH 479Methodologies and Historiography of Art History and Art Theory3
Choose one introductory ARTS course 43
Choose two 300-level art history courses 46
Choose two 400-level art history courses 46
Choose 9 credits of 300/400-level ARTH courses 49
Choose 9 credits of ARTS or ARTH electives9
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 538-40
While 6 credits can be either ARTS at any level or ARTH at upper-division level, 3 credits must be Upper-Division level ARTS/ARTH
Total Credits120
1

 See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

2

A Mathematics General Education course is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter the course selected first.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

4

Please see the Courses tab of the Art Department page within this catalog to determine which courses are Studio Art (ARTS) and which are Art History (ARTH). 

5

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.

A Suggested Plan of Study

This roadmap assumes student placement in  ENGL 1110G Composition I . The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in Mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.

Plan of Study Grid
FreshmanCredits
ENGL 1110G Composition I (C- or better) 4
ARTH 2136 Writing in Art 3
ARTH 2110G History of Art I 3
ARTS 1121 STUDIO CORE I: Concept Development--Process and Play 3
Area III: Laboratory Science Course 1 4
Area II: Mathematics Course (C- or better) 1 3-4
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course 1 3
Elective Courses 7
 Credits30-31
Sophomore
ARTH 2120G History of Art II 3
Choose one from the following: 3
Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture
Introduction to Communication
Public Speaking
Introduction to Communication Honors
Choose one from the following: 3
Professional and Technical Communication Honors
Writing in the Humanities and Social Science
ARTS Course (1000-2000 level) Course (C- or better) 3 3
ARTH Course (300-level) (C- or better) 3 3
ARTH Course (300-level) (C- or better) 3 3
Either a ARTS Course (2000/400-level) or an ARTH Course (300/400-level) (C- or better in either 3 3
Elective Courses(s) 9
 Credits30
Junior
Either an Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences Course or Social/Behavioral Sciences Course 1 3-4
ARTH Course (300/400-level) (C- or better) 3 3
Either an ARTS Course (any level) or an ARTH course (300/400-level) (C- or better) 3 3
Area V: Humanities Course 1 3
Viewing a Wider World 4 3
ARTH Course (300/400-level) (C- or better) 3 3
ARTH Course (300/400-level) (C- or better) 3 3
Elective Course(s) 9
 Credits30-31
Senior
Viewing a Wider World 4 3
ARTH Course (400-level) (C- or better) 3 3
ARTH 479 Methodologies and Historiography of Art History and Art Theory (C- or better) 3
Upper-Division ARTS/ARTH Elective Course (C- or better in either) 3 3
ARTH Course (400-level) (C- or bettter) 3 3
Elective Course(s) 15
 Credits30
 Total Credits120-122
1

 See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

2

Students must complete a Second Language requirement, see the Requirements tab for more information about the ways to complete this.

3

Please see the Courses tab of the Art Department page within this catalog to determine which courses are Studio Arts (ARTS) and which are Art History (ARTH).

4

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.