Art History (BA)
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major: Art History
Program Code: 3278
About This Major . . .
The BA degree in Art History provides students with an understanding of the importance of the visual arts to society and culture through the study of historic and contemporary artists, art movements and styles. Art History teaches students to critically analyze visual images in their original social and political context; the emphasis on visual literacy and critical thinking are especially valuable today. This degree can lead to professional employment in art museums and galleries, art publishing houses, and other areas of art services. The degree will also prepare students for advanced, graduate-level art history studies.
Important information about this major:
-
3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all art foundation or art major courses with no individual course grades lower than a “C”.
- No more than 6 semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Additional fees are required throughout the art program for materials.
- KINA Activity courses can NOT be used to fulfill general elective credit requirements.
For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.
All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:
- Interpret and apply formal elements and principles of design (Critical Thinking)
- Demonstrate proper use of tools, materials, techniques, use and care for equipment through quality craftsmanship, and analysis of scale, proportion, and measuring. (Applied Learning and Quantitative Literacy)
- Generate individual response through concept and relevant sources of information to create personal content (Communication Fluency and Information Literacy)
- Communicate clearly regarding the critical analysis of art and design both historical and contemporary (Specialized Knowledge/ Communication Fluency)
- Reflect on and respond to ethical, social, civil, and/or environmental challenges as they relate to art, design, and new media (Personal and Social Responsibility)
- Demonstrate an array of critical approaches to the study of historic art and visual culture in written or oral presentations (Specialized Knowledge)
- Execute research projects involving visual analysis, reading research, critical thinking, writing and standard methods of documentation (Critical Thinking)
Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements.
To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity.
Institutional Degree Requirements
The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.
- 120 semester hours minimum.
- Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
- 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
- 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
- A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
- No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
- Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
- Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
- Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
- The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
- See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.
Specific to this Degree:
-
3.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all art foundation or art major courses with no individual course grades lower than a “C”.
- Additional fees are required throughout the art program for materials.
- KINA Activity courses can NOT be used to fulfill general elective credit requirements.
Essential Learning Requirements
(31 semester hours)
See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| English 1 | ||
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Mathematics 1 | ||
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| History | ||
| Select one History course | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select one Humanities course | 3 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | ||
| Select one Fine Arts course | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences 2 | ||
| Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab | 4 | |
| Select one Natural Sciences course | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Must receive a grade of “C” or better and must be completed by the time the student has 60 semester hours.
- 2
One course must include a lab.
Other Lower Division Requirements
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| KINA 1XX | Activity Course | 1 |
| Essential Learning Capstone 1 | ||
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 6 | |
- 1
Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.
Foundation Courses
(18 semester hours, must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, minimum grade of “C” is required in each course.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARTE 101 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 102 | Three-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 118 | History of Art, Prehistory to Renaissance-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | History of Art, Renaissance to Present-GTAH1 | 3 |
| Two consecutive courses in the same foreign language | 6 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 18 | |
Program Specific Degree Requirements
(45 semester hours, must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, minimum grade of “C” is required in each course.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Art Specialization | ||
| ARTE 294 | Sophomore Seminar | 3 |
| ARTH 220 | History of Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTS 151 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
| Art History Core | ||
| Select 12 hours from the following: | 12 | |
| Nineteenth-Century Art | ||
| 20th Century Art to 1950 | ||
| Development of Contemporary Art | ||
| Gothic and Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture | ||
| Italian Renaissance Art History | ||
| Medieval Art: Early Christian to the Romanesque | ||
| Art History Capstone | ||
| ARTH 400 | Art Theory | 3 |
| Art History Upper Division | ||
| Select 12 semester hours of ARTH 300- or 400-level courses | 12 | |
| Studio Art & Design Introduction | ||
| Choose one course from three of the following art and design disciplines: | 9 | |
| Animation, Film, Photography and Motion Design | ||
| Lights! Camera! Action! | ||
| Image and Motion | ||
| Principles of Film | ||
| Principles of Animation | ||
| Ceramics | ||
| Beginning Hand Building | ||
| Beginning Wheel Throwing | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| Design It | ||
| Graphic Design I | ||
| Drawing | ||
| Foundation Drawing II: Figure Drawing | ||
| Painting | ||
| Painting I: Introduction to Painting | ||
| Photography | ||
| Principles of Digital Photography | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Printmaking | ||
| Printmaking: Intaglio and Relief | ||
| Sculpture | ||
| Sculpture I | ||
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 45 | |
General Elective
(All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours. 20 semester hours,13 of which must be upper-level credits. Excludes KINA Activity courses. ARTE 499 is a possible elective.)
| Code | Title | Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select electives | 20 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 20 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Semester Credit Hours | |
| ARTE 101 | Two-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 118 | History of Art, Prehistory to Renaissance-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTS 151 | Foundation Drawing I | 3 |
| ENGL 111 | English Composition I-GTCO1 | 3 |
| MATH 110 | Mathematical Investigations-GTMA1 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTE 102 | Three-Dimensional Design-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ARTE 119 | History of Art, Renaissance to Present-GTAH1 | 3 |
| ENGL 112 | English Composition II-GTCO2 | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Humanities | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ARTH 220 | History of Modern Art | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Foreign Language I | 3 | |
| Studio Art Introduction | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ARTE 294 | Sophomore Seminar | 3 |
| Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab | 4 | |
| Foreign Language II | 3 | |
| KINA 1XX | Activity Course | 1 |
| KINE 100 | Health and Wellness | 1 |
| Art History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| Art History Core Requirements (2 courses) | 6 | |
| Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| ESSL 200 | Essential Speech | 1 |
| ESSL 290 | Maverick Milestone | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Art History Core Requirement | 3 | |
| Essential Learning - History | 3 | |
| General Elective | 3 | |
| Studio Art Introduction | 3 | |
| Upper Division Art History | 3 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| General Elective (2 courses) | 5 | |
| Studio Art Introduction | 3 | |
| Upper Division Art History (2 courses) | 6 | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| General Electives (3 courses) | 9 | |
| Upper Division Art History | 3 | |
| ARTH 400 | Art Theory | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
Advising Process and DegreeWorks
Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for their intended degree(s).
DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.
Graduation Process
Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:
- Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
- Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
- Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
- Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.
Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.
If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be their responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.