Visual Arts (Art History/Studio Arts Dual Concentration), B.A.

Requirements for the Art History/Studio Arts Dual Concentration:

Students who wish to major in a combined dual concentration of studio art and art history must take seven courses in each area.

In Studio: Students take one course in three of the disciplines of the studio arts offered by the department (drawing and painting; photography; printmaking and two-dimensional design; sculpture and three-dimensional design; digital arts). Students may not exceed four introductory courses. Two 200-level intermediate-numbered courses are required in at least two studio art disciplines. Two advanced courses are required in a single discipline (300 or above). For honors requirements, see below.

 In Art History: Students take four 100 or 200 numbered courses which must include three of the four cultural areas: The Americas, Asia, Europe, Middle East/Central Asia; three courses from the 300 and 400 numbered courses. The WS requirement for combined dual concentration may be fulfilled by an Art History seminar taken in the senior year or a combined senior project. For honors requirements see below.

Requirements for Honors in the Art History/Studio Combined Dual Concentration:

Honors for the combined concentration requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.3; a 3.3 grade point average for all courses counting toward the combined concentration; and one of three project options: 1) Successful completion of a two-term art history thesis (“A” or “A minus”), which also requires successful completion of a paper by the end of the junior year (“B plus” or above), a proposal approved by the advisor, approval of the final product by a second faculty reader, and an oral presentation at The Steinmetz Symposium in the spring term of the senior year; or 2) A two-term independent study project focusing on the student’s particular area of interest in the studio arts, culminating in an exhibition (“A” or “A minus”); or 3) a two-term project that combines Art History and Studio Arts, which must be planned in consultation with an advisor from each discipline, and which must be proposed by the end of the junior year. For those doing a written work, a copy must be left with the department’s collection and archives. For those completing a studio project, visual documentation (usually slide reproductions) of the project, a one-page abstract, and one original work must be left with the department. These requirements for project option #3 will be negotiated with the advisors on a case-by-case basis. All students must complete the WS requirement or an equivalent during the senior year.

Course Selection Guidelines

Placement: Incoming first-year students with Studio experience who are interested in placement beyond an introductory course should contact the department chair to arrange for a portfolio review with the appropriate Studio Art faculty.

Enrollment Limits: It is important to note that many introductory Studio Art courses are petition courses. Due to high demand and limited Studio Art facilities, declared Visual Arts majors and minors have priority in registration for all Studio Art courses, unless otherwise noted in the course listing schedule. Students who are interested in a major or a minor are strongly encouraged to meet with a member of the department and to declare as early as is practical. Most introductory courses reserve some openings for incoming first-year students in the fall term.

100-level courses: These courses are designed to introduce students to the fundamental materials and techniques of the various Studio Art disciplines. They do not carry prerequisites, nor do they require any previous Studio Art experience. These courses are suitable for first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors; please note the enrollment priorities as stated above. Non-majors who are interested in these courses are strongly advised to consult with faculty before petitioning for these courses.

200-400-level courses: These courses are designed to build on the introductory courses, and all have introductory courses as their prerequisites. They are suitable for first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Internships, Independent Studies, and Thesis: These courses are generally reserved for advanced Studio Art students, but may be appropriate for other students as well. All students interested in these courses must consult with the Studio Art faculty and arrange academic sponsorship before registering for them.