Minor in Art History

The Minor in Art History gives students the opportunity to learn about the visual cultures of the past and present around the globe. The 18-unit degree offers a series of increasingly focused courses—200 level survey courses, more specialized 300 and 400 level lecture courses, and a 500 level Advanced Topics—in which students learn how to analyze and interpret visual art within diverse historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. The program takes advantage of the Bay Area's rich cultural resources, galleries, and museums. It provides students with skills and knowledge that will complement many other disciplines and major fields of study within the University. It enhances students’ career outlook by providing a versatile skill set including strong writing, oral communication, critical thinking and visual literacy, which are in demand in a variety of professions in the media, arts, and culture/service/education industries. Admission to the Minor is open to all students with upper division standing and who have completed the two lower-division required courses (either two lower-division Art History courses or one lower-division Art History and one lower-division Studio Art course) with a minimum grade of C.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Gain foundational knowledge of art history in more than one time period and geographical area: identify major artists, works, movements; define key terms, concepts, and theories.
2. Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, formal analysis and visual literacy to interpret and evaluate the meaning of art and visual culture.
3. Gain verbal expression and oral presentation skills in both informal discussion and formal contexts.
4. Understand and apply basic art historical methodology and theoretical models.
5. Understand the ethical dimension of artistic practice and scholarship within a global context and in relationship to the dynamics of power--including those of class, gender, race, and geopolitics--as expressed through visual, spatial, institutional, and ideological practices.