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Art always occurs in an historical moment, whether that moment is right now, or a thousand years ago. These historical contexts inform the production of art just as art contributes to the formation of social values and events. Art also has its own history and traditions that form a language that we need to know when making and looking at art. Our courses are designed to facilitate a better understanding of how art speaks of the world and to the world.
The department offers a range of art history courses that are designed to introduce students to diverse forms of cultural production from prehistorical to contemporary contexts. Introductory courses give an overview of the ways art has embodied the beliefs and practices of various societies, with primary focus on the Western tradition. Upper-level courses work to situate art in a cultural and political context and to provide a more detailed study of select historical periods and regions. Courses are also offered in studies of Popular Culture and Museum Studies. 
Gallery visits and course projects constantly connect classroom activity to the larger art world. Field trips to New York offer students a unique opportunity to view some of the greatest historical collections and contemporary art venues. Art History courses may be taken as electives by General Arts students, by students in the Bachelor of Arts program as part of a BA (Extended Minor in Visual Arts) or BA (Minor in Visual Arts), by Bachelor of Science students as part of a Minor in Visual Arts, by students in the Associate of Arts degree, Liberal Arts Diploma or Visual Arts Diploma, by students in CIS programs and by students in the Bachelor of Social Work program. For full credit requirements of these diplomas and degrees please see the calendar. The following information pertains only to Art History requirements in the Visual Arts Diploma, and in the Minor and Extended Minor in Visual Arts: | 
