Program Overview

Art History B.A.

Engage with the history of art and visual culture to prepare for a wide range of careers in museums, galleries, the art market, education, cultural heritage, cultural management, and more.

About this Program

• Explore the history of art from a variety of periods and cultures.
• Gain hands-on experience in curatorial research and public engagement.
• Experience and work with the rich collections of the Syracuse University Art Museum, SU’s Special Collections Research Center, the Everson Museum of Art, and Light Work.
• Travel to New York City as a senior to learn about professional opportunities in the art world by meeting with curators, auctioneers, art gallerists, museum professionals, and Art & Music Histories alumni.
• Study art history abroad at a Syracuse University center in Florence, Italy; Strasbourg, France; Madrid, Spain; or London, England.
• Receive individualized attention and mentoring from internationally recognized scholars.

Program Information

• Degree Type: Major
• Outcome: B.A.
• Modality: In-person
• College or School: College of Arts and Sciences
• Career Path: Art and Design, Humanities and Languages

Curriculum

In addition to introductory courses and a senior seminar, you'll be required to take courses across different chronological periods and study art across different cultures. You may also choose to enroll in a studio art course as part of the art history major.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Observe and interpret key formal aspects of works of art in historical contexts.
• Identify and analyze key works of art from different eras and traditions across the globe.
• Recognize and explain the relationship of artists and art to broad cultural, intellectual, and historical developments.
• Analyze central issues and apply scholarly methodologies in the field.
• Formulate a research question, synthesize and appraise scholarly information in support of a thesis, and express ideas clearly and persuasively in writing.
• Express ideas clearly and persuasively in oral presentations.
• Gain direct hands-on experience working with art objects and archives.
• Demonstrate knowledge of visual language pertinent to careers in the visual arts, architecture, visual studies, and the media.

Sample Courses

• Studies in Baroque Art
• From Gothic to Goth
• Leonardo Da Vinci: Artist and Engineer
• History of Printmaking
• Native North American Art
• Art in France from Impressionism to Surrealism

Extracurricular Opportunities

Campus Facilities

• Syracuse University Art Museum

The Syracuse University Art Museum is a teaching museum that acquires and preserves important works of art and uses its extensive collection to serve as a museum-laboratory for exploration, experimentation, and discussion. With its global collections of art, the museum strives to foster diverse and inclusive perspectives by bringing together students and faculty from across campus and by fostering dialogue with local and international communities. It welcomes all visitors to experience its exhibitions and public programs that promote original research, creative thinking, and increased mindfulness.

Research

• Special Collections Research Center

The Special Collections Research Center in Bird Library invites you to explore its extensive collection of rare books, manuscripts, historic photographs, rare artifacts, and other primary source materials. It also houses the largest collection on the history of plastics in the United States.

Study Abroad

• Become a Global Citizen

Art history students are encouraged to learn about art through Syracuse University Abroad, which hosts programs in more than 60 countries around the world. Choose from semester, summer, short-term, and year-long options and learn about actual works of art through field trips to renowned museums, art galleries, and archives.

Related Programs

• Classical Civilization B.A.
• Classics (Greek and Latin) B.A.
• Fine Arts B.A.
• History B.A.
• History of Architecture B.A.
• Music History and Cultures B.A.