About the Program

Art History is important to students who like art, enjoy learning, and wish to become broadly educated. Art Historians are experts on the lives and works of artists, and on the forms, traditions, meanings, and cultural contexts of art and architecture. Experts in the fields of anthropology, languages, literature, music, sociology, philosophy, and criticism depend upon Art Historians. Art works are likely to be the most authentic and accessible products of a culture, and as such, serve as indispensable guides to understanding culture.

Art History students may focus on different cultures, various periods of time, and particular forms of art, such as painting, sculpture, print, photography, architecture, or the decorative arts. Many other fields of learning may be important to Art Historians, according to their individual interests.

Courses are offered in many areas including Baroque, Asian, Modern, African American, American, 19th and 20th Century, Contemporary Art History, and Museum Studies. Members of the UC Classics Department teach courses in ancient art. Many additional courses in the history of design, architecture, and cities are offered in other programs of the college.

Scholarship may be pursued through independent study and directed research courses. Students work as interns in local museums and galleries. Interdisciplinary work is encouraged. The Art History program and other programs in the college regularly host distinguished visitors as lecturers and critics.

Students may elect to remain in the program an additional year to complete the required course work in Art Education, professional education, and practicum experience to meet the State of Ohio and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for K-12 visual arts teacher certification and licensure.