Art: Art History B.A.
A concentration in Art History examines the artistic traditions of a broad range of periods, cultures, and places, as well as the full spectrum of visual media founded upon the intersection between Art History and Social History. Art History students learn how to treat non-verbal objects as evidence, how to use scholarly publications, and how to explain their insights and findings in written and oral formats. Students learn to weigh and interpret the narratives present in the visual medium through close object-based study to reveal information regarding the artist, their cultures of origin, and consider the works’ meanings within the contemporary world. The department’s emphasis upon critical thinking and its strong commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry prepares students for a variety of specialized professions, including architecture, museum and gallery work, conservation or preservation, graduate work in art and architectural history, teaching, law, medicine, and business.
Students completing a major in Art History will be able to
- Demonstrate knowledge of artistic traditions and visual media from a broad range of periods and places.
- Articulate an understanding of the interaction between art history and social history.
- Analyze visual and textual sources clearly and convincingly both in writing and orally.
- Demonstrate increasing sophisticated visual literacy.
- Conduct research grounded in relevant, high-quality sources.
- Formulate goals that are appropriate for her/his individual strengths, interests and post-graduate objectives.
Degree Requirements
A concentration in Art History is achieved by completion of the following requirements, in addition to the required General Education courses and electives required for a degree:
Required Foundation/Core Courses
| ARH 121 | Survey of Western Art I | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 124 | Survey of Western Art II | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 130 | Studies in World Art | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 255 | 20th & 21st Century Art | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 340 | Seminar in Art History | 1 Course Credit |
see Admission to the Major requirements below
Required Capstone Course
| ARH 450 | Adv Research in Art History | 1 Course Credit |
ARH 498 with required public lecture may be substituted for ARH 450 in extraordinary circumstances
Required Distribution Courses
Three (3) courses from the list below. Courses taken during an international experience may count towards this requirement, but at least one course must be taken on Berea’s campus. Approvals for such courses will be initiated by the advisor and approved and forwarded by the Department Chair.
| ARH 210 | Topics in Islamic Art & Archit | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 215 | History of Printmaking | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 230 | Topics in Latin American Art | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 232 | Classical Art & Archaeology | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 234 | Intro to Archaeological Method | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 239 | Native Nrth Amer Art&Archaelog | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 242 | Medieval Art | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 243/WGS 243 | Women in Art (WGS) | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 249/AST 249 | Topics in Asian Art (AST) | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 262 | Italian Renaissance Art & Arc. | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 263 | Introduction to Museum Work | 1 Course Credit |
| ARH 265 | Baroque Art & Architecture | 1 Course Credit |
One Special Topics Course ARH 286/386/486 may be taken to satisfy the distribution requirement.
Required Collateral Courses
Foreign language to the third (103) level (French or German are recommended).
Note: ART courses taken to fulfill this collateral requirement will not be counted in the minimum of 20 courses required outside the major.
Exploring the Major— Students considering this concentration must enroll in the 100-level foundation/core ART and ARH courses during their first three terms at Berea.
Admission to the Major— Completion of ARH 121 and ARH 124 with a grade of C or higher in each.
Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)— Students interested in this concentration should take General Education requirements at the same time as Art History courses. ARH 121 and ARH 124 should be taken in the freshman year and prior to any upper-level (200 and higher) Art History courses. ARH 245 should be completed by the second term of sophomore year. All students in this concentration must satisfactorily complete ARH 340 and ARH 450.
Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major— In addition to all foundation/core courses and the above-stated minimum grade of C in ARH 121 and ARH 124, all Art History majors must satisfy departmental standards for visual, written, and oral communication by successfully completing the senior capstone requirement.