Art History Major
In a world filled with images, Art History offers a critical means of understanding visual culture in an increasingly globalized world. The Art History program at Saint Joseph’s covers major artistic developments in traditional and new media throughout history. Art History is an interdisciplinary field that encourages students to explore the many intersections between art and politics, religion, science, history and philosophy, among many other areas. Through close analysis of art and architecture Art History students develop strong critical evaluation skills and a wide-ranging cultural literacy.
The proximity of Saint Joseph's University to Philadelphia and New York allows Art History students to visit the many art museums and galleries in these cities. Most Art History classes are held in the Frances M. Maguire Art Museum (housed in the former Barnes Foundation building), where students have access to objects in SJU’s permanent collection, as well as rotating exhibitions. Art History students also study abroad, gaining exposure to some of the most renowned works of art and architecture around the globe. In their junior or senior year, Art History majors (optional for minors) take a research seminar focusing on a topic of their choice. Junior and senior Art History majors and minors also have the opportunity to complete an internship related to their career plans after graduation. Students studying Art History go on to a wide range of careers, including museums, galleries, publishing, education, and fashion. As a strong liberal art undergraduate degree, Art History prepares students for many other career paths, as well.
Goal 1: To develop an understanding of the visual characteristics and historical contexts of works of art
Outcome 1.1: Art history students will be able to identify the visual characteristics of works of art
Outcome 1.2.: Art history students will be able to identify the historical circumstances in which works of art were created (for example, function; patronage; motivation; movement, etc.)
Goal 2: To develop the necessary resources to research and write about art history
Outcome 2.1: Art history students will be able to identify and use appropriate tools to conduct research in art history
Outcome 2.2: Art history students will be able to write clearly and effectively about works of art
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
- 1
Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following 1 | 9 | |
| Any course from the following Departments: | ||
| Biology, Chemistry, Classics, Communication and Media Studies, English, Environmental Studies, Francophone Studies, History, Italian Studies, Music Theatre and Film, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Theology, French/German/Italian/Spanish/Chinese (303 or higher) | ||
| Total Hours | 9 | |
- 1
PHL 310 is recommended as an ILC
Major Requirements:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| ARH 101 | Intro to Global Art History I | 3 |
| ARH 102 | Intro to Global Art History II | 3 |
| ARH 480 | Art History Research Seminar | 3 |
| Any six (6) art history courses. At least two (2) that include non-Western art and/or architecture. Students may also choose from the CLA, HIS, ITA, IST, and REL courses listed below, although at least 2 courses must be ARH courses. If Art History is a student's 2nd major, ARH 480 is optional. | 18 | |
| Art of Africa/African Diaspora | ||
| History of Global Architecture | ||
| East Asian Art & Architecture | ||
| Latin American Art & Architect | ||
| Women, Gender, and Art | ||
| Traditions of Art | ||
| Elements of Art/Barnes Method | ||
| Art and Medicine | ||
| First Year Seminar | ||
| Special Topics in Art History | ||
| Art History &Photography:Italy | ||
| Encountering Mystery | ||
| Medvl Art Ctcombs to Cthdrals | ||
| Renaissance Art & Architecture | ||
| Baroque Art and Architecture | ||
| Revolution to Realism1780-1880 | ||
| Impressionism& PostImpressiosm | ||
| American Art and Architecture | ||
| Modern Art & Architecture | ||
| Contemporary Art & Architect | ||
| Museum Studies | ||
| Art & Magazines | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Mystery&Monument:Anc Greece | ||
| Mystery&Monument:Anc Rome | ||
| Museum Internship | ||
| Sports & Spectacle Greece/Rome | ||
| Rebels&Revolutionaries:Art&Lit | ||
| The Roman Experience | ||
| The Roman Experience | ||
| Italy Through Art | ||
| Art Fashion: la moda italiana | ||
| Italian Art and Artists | ||
| Italy Through Art | ||
| The Art of Dante's Inferno | ||
| Religion & Art in East Asia | ||
| One (1) studio art course | 3 | |
| Introduction to Studio Art | ||
| Art Therapy | ||
| Illustration I | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Painting I | ||
| Landscape Painting | ||
| Printmaking | ||
| Landscape Drawing | ||
| Contemp Botanical Illustration | ||
| Anatomy and Life Drawing | ||
| 3-D Studio Art | ||
| Pottery I | ||
| Mosaics I | ||
| Ceramics I | ||
| Figurative Sculpture | ||
| Sculpture and the Environment | ||
| Intro to Sculpture/Mixed Media | ||
| Social Justice Through Sculpt | ||
| Japanese Pottery & Tea Culture | ||
| Phoneography | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Camera-less Photography | ||
| Darkroom Photography I | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Historical Photo Processes | ||
| Image Manipulation: Photoshop | ||
| Photography & Climate Crisis | ||
| Photography: Truth & Privilege | ||
| 2D Animation | ||
| Drawing II | ||
| Concepts and Artmaking | ||
| Painting II | ||
| Sculpture II | ||
| Pottery II | ||
| Ceramic Surface Design | ||
| Ceramics II | ||
| Atmospheric Firing: Wood/Salt | ||
| Ceramic Sculpture | ||
| Sculpture Mixed Media II | ||
| Figurative Sculpture II | ||
| Darkroom Photography II | ||
| Commercial Photography | ||
| Experimental Digital Photo | ||
| Works on Paper | ||
| Drawing III | ||
| Painting III | ||
| Sculpture III | ||
| Ceramics III | ||
| DirectedProjects - Photography | ||
| Photo Essay/Docu Photo | ||
| Adv. Comm. Studio Photography | ||
| Ceramics IV | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Independent Study Program
Independent study courses may be taken for upper division credit in a student’s major department. Advanced or specialized work in Art and Art History may be pursued under the guidance of a faculty mentor within the independent study program. Students requesting an independent study should contact the faculty member to be involved in the project at least two weeks prior to the registration period. Students must submit a written project proposal which outlines topics and goals.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ARH 101 | Intro to Global Art History I | 3 |
| Math Beauty | 3 | |
| Non-Native Language I | 3 | |
| ARH 150 | First Year Seminar (another First Year Seminar ) | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARH 102 | Intro to Global Art History II | 3 |
| PHL 154 | Moral Foundations | 3 |
| Non-Native Language II | 3 | |
| HIS 154 | Forging the Modern World | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Texts & Contexts | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Studio Art course | 3 | |
| THE 154 | Catholic Theological Tradition | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Integrative Learning Courses | 3 | |
| Phil Anthropology | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| PHL 310 | Philosophy of Art | 3 |
| Art, MTF, or Literature | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Integrative Learning Course | 3 | |
| Religious Difference | 3 | |
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Faith and Reason | 3 | |
| ARH 480 | Art History Research Seminar | 3 |
| Free-Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Free-Elective | 9 | |
| ARH 481 | Museum Internship (optional, a second ARH elective may be taken in its place) | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |