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
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
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/BarnesMethod | ||
| Elements of Art/Barnes Method | ||
| Art and Medicine | ||
| Art & Arch of Islamic World | ||
| Art & Architecture of Phila | ||
| 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 & Post-Impress | ||
| American Art & Architecture | ||
| Modern Art & Architecture | ||
| Contemporary Art & Architect | ||
| Museum Studies | ||
| Art & Magazines | ||
| History of Photography | ||
| Art &Pilgr Parthenon to Disney | ||
| Intro to Art Conservation | ||
| Museum Ops, Mgmt & Professions | ||
| Curating an Exhibition | ||
| Rebels&Revolutionaries:Art&Lit | ||
| Mystery&Monument:Anc Greece | ||
| Mystery&Monument:Anc Rome | ||
| Museum Internship | ||
| Sports & Spectacle Greece/Rome | ||
| Rebels&Revolutionaries:Art&Lit | ||
| 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 | |
Free Electives
Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
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.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ARH 101 | Intro to Global Art History I | 3 |
| Non-Native Language | 3-4 | |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARH 102 | Intro to Global Art History II | 3 |
| World History | 3 | |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Lit | 3 | |
| Social Science | 3 | |
| ART course (for major) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Art/Creativity | 3 | |
| Mission Specific or Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| Art History Elective | 3 | |
| Free elective or Writing Intensive | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARH elective | 3 | |
| ARH elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| ARH 480 | Art History Research Seminar (or ARH Elective) | 3 |
| Free Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ARH 481 | Museum Internship (or ARH Elective) | 3 |
| Free Elective | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 122-124 | |