Art History B.A.

Art history involves the interdisciplinary study of the numerous ways in which the visual arts reflect, respond to, and shape the world's cultures. Given art history's dynamic intersections with such fields as anthropology, history, philosophy, psychology, studio art, literature, and languages, it is a quintessential liberal arts major, and its interdisciplinarity allows many of our students to successfully double-major. By teaching visual literacy, the art history curriculum prepares all students to critically analyze works of art, architecture, and other forms of material culture, allowing them to become more knowledgeable interpreters of the visual world in which we live. In-depth research projects allow majors and minors to not only synthesize existing scholarship but also to formulate and articulate their own ideas. Research, teaching, and administrative assistantships, in addition to museum and gallery internships, allow art history students to further engage with the field and gain invaluable practical experience.

Art History Program Student Learning Outcomes:

1) Students will gain knowledge and appreciation of objects of art history, visual culture, and material culture from various traditions and cultures.
2) Students will be able to describe, analyze, and interpret objects of art history, visual culture, and material culture using art historical terminology and to articulate their artistic, historical, and/or cultural significance.
3) Students will be able to speak about art historical objects and/or literature critically and to make arguments about their meanings and significance.
4) Students will be able to write about art historical objects and/or literature critically and to make arguments about their meanings and significance.
5) Students will be able to carry out research-based papers, projects, and activities with the use of primary and secondary art historical sources as well as methodologies.

The discipline also recommends four semesters of college-level courses in foreign language.

Through the various program objectives listed above, students will be introduced to, review, and have the opportunity to master at different levels the following UMN Morris Campus Student Learning Outcomes to become:

CAREER-READY SCHOLARS
- Broad knowledge in multiple disciplines
- In-depth studies in a major
- Critical thinking and analysis
- Information literacy
- Technology literacy
- Oral/Written Communication
- Career management

CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVERS
- Flexible, multi-dimensional thinking (including knowledge in the Mathematics, Social Sciences, Sciences, Arts, and Humanities)
- Integrated learning
- Research skills
- Artistic expression
- Quantitative and qualitative literacy

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS
- Equity and Inclusivity
- Global fluency
- Stewardship and Sustainability
- Ethics
- Outreach
- Wellbeing
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Leadership
- Civic Engagement