X. Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Art History (ARTH)

School of Fine Art and Music, College of Arts

The School provides for concentrated study in Art History or Studio Arts, or for a more balanced study combining the two disciplines. Both Studio Art and Art History degree programs require some work in both the programs. Many Art History courses are also open to non specialized students.

The Art History program covers historical perspectives on the visual arts, study of the methodologies of art history and critical theory, and consideration of contemporary issues in the practice and display of art. Students pursuing a Major or Minor in Art History are required to take a minimum number of courses in each of three areas of focus in the program: Western Art and Cross-Cultural Perspectives; Visual Arts of the Americas; and Art Theory, Critical Methodology and Museology. The groups of courses that comprise these areas of focus are listed below.

Students majoring in other programs who are also interested in the study of Art History are encouraged to consider the Minors offered in Visual Arts of the Americas, Museum Studies, and Art Theory and Criticism. Specific requirements for the Art History Honours Major and Minor are listed below.

Student Counselling

The students who elect to take a substantial number of courses in Art History with the objective of graduate work are advised to obtain counselling from faculty regarding their choices. It is important to know that graduate studies in Art History will usually require a reading knowledge of at least 2 languages other than English. German, French, Italian and Latin are among the most useful choices. Cognate electives in other disciplines in the College of Arts (such as History) will almost certainly prove an asset.

Art History Core Requirements

All students are required to complete the following core courses [1.50 credits]:
ARTH*1220 [0.50] The Visual Arts Today
ARTH*1510 [0.50] Art Historical Studies I
ARTH*1520 [0.50] Art Historical Studies II

Major (Honours Program)

A minimum of 9.00 credits is required, including:

  1. the Art History core

    1. ARTH*1220, ARTH*1510, ARTH*1520,

  2. 3.00 credits from the Western Art and Cross-Cultural Perspectives including:

    1. ARTH*2150 or ARTH*3150

    2. ARTH*2540

    3. ARTH*2550 or ARTH*2950

    4. One of ARTH*2280, ARTH*2290, ARTH*2580, ARTH*2600

    5. At least 1.00 credits of the 3000-level thematic courses: ARTH*3100, ARTH*3200, ARTH*3310, ARTH*3320, ARTH*3330, ARTH*3340, ARTH*3520

  3. 1.50 credits from the Arts of the Americas area of focus: ARTH*2050, ARTH*2060, ARTH*2070, ARTH*2490, ARTH*3010, ARTH*3050, ARTH*3060

  4. 1.00 credits from the Art Theory, Critical Methodology and Museology area of focus: ARTH*2120, ARTH*2480, ARTH*3210, ARTH*3220, ARTH*3780

  5. At least 2.00 credits from 4000-level seminar courses: ARTH*4310, ARTH*4320, ARTH*4330, ARTH*4340, ARTH*4350, ARTH*4620

Minor (Honours Program)

A minimum of 5.00 credits is required, including:

  1. The Art History core (ARTH*1220, ARTH*1510, ARTH*1520)

  2. 3.50 additional credits in Art History including 0.50 credits in each of the three areas of focus and at least 2.00 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.

Areas of Focus
Western Art and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
ARTH*2150 [0.50] Art and Archaeology of Greece
ARTH*2280 [0.50] Modern Architecture
ARTH*2290 [0.50] History of Photographic Media
ARTH*2540 [0.50] Medieval Art
ARTH*2550 [0.50] The Italian Renaissance
ARTH*2580 [0.50] Late Modern Art: 1900-1950
ARTH*2600 [0.50] Early Modern Art to 1900
ARTH*2950 [0.50] Baroque Art
ARTH*3100 [0.50] Perspectives: Structure & Space in Western Art
ARTH*3150 [0.50] Space: Roman Art and Urbanism
ARTH*3200 [0.50] Colour: Practice & Meanings in Western Art
ARTH*3310 [0.50] Image: Pictures & Their Power
ARTH*3320 [0.50] Lives: Aspects of Western Art
ARTH*3330 [0.50] Display: Visual Culture in Western Europe
ARTH*3340 [0.50] The Art Object & Material Culture
ARTH*3520 [0.50] Idea: Art Since 1950
ARTH*4330 [1.00] Topics in Art & Visual Culture III
ARTH*4340 [1.00] Topics in Art & Visual Culture IV
Arts of the Americas
ARTH*2050 [0.50] Modern Latin American Art
ARTH*2060 [0.50] Aboriginal Arts in the Americas
ARTH*2070 [0.50] Art of the USA
ARTH*2490 [0.50] History of Canadian Art
ARTH*3010 [0.50] Contemporary Canadian Art
ARTH*3050 [0.50] Pre-Columbian Art
ARTH*3060 [0.50] Public Art
ARTH*4310 [1.00] Topics in Art & Visual Culture I
ARTH*4320 [1.00] Topics in Art & Visual Culture II
Art Theory, Critical Methodology and Museology
ARTH*2120 [0.50] Introduction to Museology
ARTH*2480 [0.50] Introduction to Art Theory and Criticism
ARTH*3210 [0.50] Critical Issues in Art History
ARTH*3220 [0.50] Nationalism & Identity in Art
ARTH*3780 [0.50] Gender and Art
ARTH*4350 [1.00] Topics in Art & Visual Culture V
ARTH*4620 [0.50] Museum Studies

Note: Details of advanced standing for transfer students from the Ontario College of Art can be found in the section on Admission Information.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1

Canada
519-824-4120