Minor in Art History

The history of art focuses upon the study of works of fine and applied arts and forms of mass communication in their aesthetic, social, economic, religious and political contexts. It explores the meanings and purposes of the visual arts, their historical development, their role in society, and their relationships to other disciplines. The study of art history encourages the development of critical observation and visual analysis; it introduces scholarly research and provides a working knowledge of a variety of monuments. As the field of art history is inherently cross-cultural and interdisciplinary, its study illuminates the diverse and global world we inhabit and makes apparent the integral relationships between art and culture.

The minor in art history provides a broad humanistic background not only for students planning to attend graduate and professional schools in the fields of applied, media and design arts, social and information sciences, education, business and medicine, but also for those entering a more general job market. The minor is designed to be flexible enough to appeal both to Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design majors and majors from the other colleges.