Art history majors learn to look carefully, analyze and evaluate information, and produce research-informed narratives that clarify why art matters. To this end, students learn about major movements, artists, and artworks in relation to their sociocultural contexts. Courses provide a chronological overview of the history of world art, in-depth study through practicing critical analysis and research writing, and opportunities for obtaining real-world experiences, such as internship and study abroad experiences as well as a Museum Studies Certificate.
Program Requirements
Required General Education
Introduction to art history from prehistoric and ancient cultures through circa 1400 CE. Includes examination of global art and architecture (1) to understand significant historical developments in human civilizations, cultural values, and creativity and (2) to explore its relevance to us today.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-08
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Lecture-based survey of the Art and Architecture of both Western and non-Western countries from the thirteenth through twentieth centuries.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-08
Major Common Core
Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the mid-nineteenth century to the present: Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Op Art, Pop Art, and Post-modern issues and trends.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 261 or consent
Capstone writing project. Advanced study and research required. Topic of the senior thesis determined jointly by the student and the faculty advisor. Required for art history specialization and art history major. A less expansive project is required for the art history minor.
- Prerequisites:
- Consent of advisor
Nonwestern-focused course - Choose one course from list (4 credits)
Nonwestern
Historical survey of art and architecture from Islam's origins through today. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, ceramic ware and other art forms from various regions around the world through the contemporary era.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, Korea, Japan, and South Asia from pre-history to the present.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 260, ART 261 or consent
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Investigation of developments in sacred and secular art and architecture in various regions of the world. Modern works will be understood within their socio-historical and contemporary contexts, incorporating interdisciplinary research and analysis.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Major Unrestricted Electives
Studio Electives - Choose 4 - 8 Credit(s).
This course explores foundational concepts of graphic design and the current technology used within the industry, including Adobe Creative Cloud products. Students will use industry-standard software to examine essential digital media concepts like color gamut, image resolution, and vector vs. raster imagery. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to use these essential tools and their potential as creative instruments.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course will expand students' understanding of drawing's critical components, including line, value, and composition. Traditional and experimental approaches will be explored. Students will become familiar with the work of a diverse array of contemporary artists working within the discipline of drawing.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course will focus on drawing the figure. A variety of materials and approaches will be explored, from traditional to experimental. Students will gain familiarity with the work of a diverse array of contemporary figurative artists.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores the fundamental aesthetic components and processes used by graphic designers to turn ideas into compelling visual communication, including generating ideas, exploring the elements and principles of form, and implementing compositional principles within structural harmonies.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 202
Material Exploration in Mixed Media is a problem-solving art studio experience implementing the use of a variety of traditional and non-traditional art materials into two and three-dimensional projects.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06
This introductory painting course will introduce students to basic techniques in oil and/or acrylic. Technical and conceptual development will be emphasized. Students will become familiar with a diverse array of artists working within the discipline of painting.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course will focus on the basic materials and techniques of watercolor and other wet media while exploring traditional and experimental approaches. Students will become familiar with a diverse array of artists utilizing watercolor and wet media as part of their practice.
- Prerequisites:
- none
An introduction to basic wheel throwing techniques exploring the potential of clay as a creative and expressive material.
- Prerequisites:
- none
An introduction to basic sculptural hand building techniques exploring the nature of clay as a creative-expressive medium.
- Prerequisites:
- none
From pop artists of the 1950s like Andy Warhol to contemporary printmakers today, the silkscreen medium is known for its ability to build up bright color intensely and quickly. The silkscreen medium has concrete links to drawing, graphic design, and photography. In this course, students will be introduced to silkscreen & photographic printmaking processes. No previous experience needed.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This introductory course focuses on traditional techniques of carving & printing wood / linoleum relief blocks as well as a range of intaglio printmaking processes. Whether using gouges to carve imagery into wood, or using an etchant to bite lines into copper, these mediums have an intimate relationship to natural materials. These drawing-based processes are tied to the earliest technologies of disseminating information. Their graphic aesthetics remain rich and relevant today. No previous experience is needed for this course.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Introduction to the techniques and expressive potential of photography as an art form. Topics include basic camera controls, lighting, composition, editing, fine art printing, and historical and contemporary examples of art photography. A digital camera with manual controls of aperture and shutter speed is required for most of the semester.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06
Exploration of the visual and physical organization of three-dimensional form and space through problems employing various media and processes.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Students will learn how to create dimensional works that relate to specific architectural environments. A variety of material and conceptual approaches will be explored with an emphasis on non-traditional materials and non-technical processes. Previous sculpture experience is not necessary. Students will become aware of a diverse array of artists working within the field of installation.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Advanced Art History
Advanced Art History - Choose 16 - 20 Credit(s).
Introduction to the art and architecture of the ancient era in its historical and cultural frameworks. Examination of representative works of art and major styles of ancient Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 260 or consent
Examine art and architecture made between the fourth and fourteenth centuries and as informed by the cultural and religious tradition of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia. The time period begins with the disintegration of the Roman Empire and ends with the era of monumental cathedral building across Europe, integrating sociopolitical history alongside art and architectural achievements.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Origins and development of Northern and Italian Renaissance art and architecture as an expression of historical, cultural and religious issues.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 261 or consent
Historical survey of art, architecture and urban planning in Europe and America from the late sixteenth to mid-nineteenth century: Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 392, ART 406
The study of art museum history, theory and practice, including ethics, collecting, and display will be addressed. Students gain on-site experience in a museum setting and work alongside museum staff in order to develop individual and group projects.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 260, ART 261
Historical survey of art and architecture from Islam's origins through today. Course focuses on contextualizing monuments, paintings, ceramic ware and other art forms from various regions around the world through the contemporary era.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Survey of Graphic Design, Industrial Design and Architecture from historical and theoretical perspectives. Design issues examined from formal and contextual points of view, using analysis strategies that consider style, composition, historical context, functional/propagandistic significance and communicative ability.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Historical survey of the art and architecture of China, Korea, Japan, and South Asia from pre-history to the present.
- Prerequisites:
- ART 260, ART 261 or consent
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Investigation of developments in sacred and secular art and architecture in various regions of the world. Modern works will be understood within their socio-historical and contemporary contexts, incorporating interdisciplinary research and analysis.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Specific problems in art emphasizing both individual research and contributions to the seminar group on advanced, in-depth topics.
- Prerequisites:
- Consent
Works by global artists throughout history are examined through the lens of gender in order to develop complex, multi-perspective and intersectional awareness of topics including feminism, gender nonconformity, sexuality, identity and race.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Field experience in professional settings relating to the specialization: graphic design, museum or arts administration, etc. Pre: Jr. standing with consent of advisor and department chair.
- Prerequisites:
- Jr. standing with consent of advisor and department chair.
Advanced level pursuit of special projects of research on an independent basis. Requires contractual agreement in art office for registration.
- Prerequisites:
- Consent
4-Year Plan
The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Spring - 15 Credits
Second Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Spring - 15 Credits
Third Year
Fall - 16 Credits
Spring - 16 Credits
Fourth Year
Fall - 13 Credits
Capstone writing project. Advanced study and research required. Topic of the senior thesis determined jointly by the student and the faculty advisor. Required for art history specialization and art history major. A less expansive project is required for the art history minor.
- Prerequisites:
- Consent of advisor
Spring - 15 Credits
Degree
Bachelor of Arts
Major Credits
41
Total Credits
120
Locations
Mankato
Career Cluster
Arts, Audio