Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalogue 
    
2019-2020 Catalogue [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art History, B.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Areas of Study

TENURED AND TENURED-TRACK FACULTY:
Kara Morrow, Chair (Fall)
Bridget Milligan, Chair (Spring)
Tracy Cosgriff
Marina Mangubi
John Siewert
Walter Zurko

                                                                                                                                                                                               

The Department of Art and Art History offers majors in Studio Art and in Art History. Courses in both majors are designed to allow the student to develop an understanding of the visual arts past and present. In studio courses, students learn to conceive and express ideas in two- and three-dimensional media, to evaluate the aesthetic character of works of art, and to become more alert to their sociopolitical implications. Art History courses are concerned with the production and reception of the visual arts within their social, religious, cultural, and political contexts. Students may double major in Studio Art and Art History or major in one discipline and minor in the other. Students considering a double major or a major and a minor in the Department should meet with the Department Chair early in their undergraduate education.

The Department of Art and Art History strongly urges students interested in off-campus experiences to take advantage of the New York Arts Program administered by the Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA). Other off-campus study programs, both in this country and abroad, are available to majors with adequate course preparation for advanced study. More information on such programs is available through the office of Off-Campus Studies.

Architecture: Interested students should meet with one of the Pre-Architecture co-advisers, Professor John Siewert and Professor Walter Zurko, early in their undergraduate education (see Pre- Professoinal and Dual Degree Programs  for additional information)

Art History

The major in Art History exposes students to a wide variety of perspectives and academic fields and provides a good liberal arts foundation for careers in many different areas. It can also provide undergraduate preparation for graduate degrees leading to careers in teaching, research, criticism, library science, visual resources curating, museum or gallery work, art conservation (with substantial background in chemistry), community art programs, architecture, or historic preservation.

Art History courses are usually lecture-discussion classes primarily concerned with art’s cultural and historical contexts; art as a revelation of human intelligence, imagination, and skill; and the tools-vocabulary, methods, approaches-used to study cultures through their artistic achievements.

Special Notes


  • With a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Examination in Art History, credit is granted for either ARTH 10100  or ARTH 10200 . Credit for other qualifying tests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • Prospective majors are strongly encouraged to take ARTH 10100  and ARTH 10200  in their first or sophomore years, and to take them in sequence.
  • At least one of the student’s 200-level courses must be Writing-Intensive.
  • Two courses in Studio Art are strongly recommended for the major.
  • Junior Independent Study in Art History (ARTH 40100 ) is a one-semester seminar course, taught only in the Fall. Art History majors must plan off-campus study so that it does not conflict with this course.
  • Courses taken S/NC will not fulfill requirements for a major or minor in Art History.
  • Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major or minor.
  • Up to 3 courses taken at other accredited institutions, including off-campus study, may be counted toward the minor with departmental approval based on course description, class content and instructional level.
  • Up to 3 courses taken during Wooster approved Off-Campus Study, or at other accredited institutions, may be counted toward the minor with departmental approval based on course description, class content, and instructional level. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with department faculty in advance of Wooster approved Off-Campus Study.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Areas of Study