Program Overview

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History of Art, BALAS

for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences, major in History of Art

The Program in Art History is unique at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Though housed in the School of Art and Design in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Program in Art History offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in the History of Art from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences administers admission to the major in the History or Art; however, the Program in Art History advises all History of Art majors.

Program Description

The curriculum in the History of Art requires 120 credit hours and offers a broad historical and cultural education related to the visual and built world. The curriculum provides sound preparation for the graduate study required for museum work or teaching at the college level.

Departmental Distinction

To be eligible for distinction, a student must earn a high grade point average and complete at least 4 semester hours of independent research to write a senior research paper. See the undergraduate adviser for details.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

• Composition I: 4-6 hours
• Advanced Composition: 3 hours
• Humanities & the Arts (6 hours): fulfilled by ARTH 110 and any other course approved as Humanities & the Arts
• Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)
• Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)
• Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course): 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course): 3 hours
• Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course): 3 hours, fulfilled by ARTH 110
• Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I): 6-10 hours
• Language Requirement (Completion of the fourth semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required): 0-20 hours

Major Core Requirements and Electives

• 1 course in studio art (ARTS), graphic design (ARTD), or industrial design (ARTD): 3 hours
• 1 foundational gateway course at the 100-level:
  • ARTH 110: Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture: 3 hours
• Three (3) Supporting Courses in the Humanities offered by LAS: 9 hours
  • These courses must be approved by the Art History advisor and be outside the field of art history with the goal of enhancing the student’s understanding of the cultural context within which works of art and architecture have been created.
• Six (6) 200-400 level courses in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 18 hours
  • Students must take at least one course in three of the following areas:
    1. Africa and the Middle East
    2. Asia
    3. the Americas
    4. Europe
  • With an advisor’s approval, up to 6 credit hours of courses in the history of architecture or landscape architecture at the 200-400 level may be taken towards the fulfillment of these required hours
  • At least one course must cover material before 1700
  • At least one course must cover material after 1700
  • Other courses may be approved in consultation with the advisor.

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

• First Year:
  • First Semester:
    • Free elective course: 1 hour
    • ARTH 110: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • Composition I or General Education course: 3 hours
    • Language Other Than English (3rd level): 4 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • 1 course in studio art (ARTS), graphic design (ARTD), or industrial design (ARTD): 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • General Education course or Composition I: 3 hours
    • Language Other Than English (4th level): 4 hours
• Second Year:
  • First Semester:
    • Supporting course in the Humanities offered by LAS: 3 hours
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • Supporting course in the Humanities offered by LAS: 3 hours
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
• Third Year:
  • First Semester:
    • Supporting course in the Humanities offered by LAS: 3 hours
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • General Education course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • 200-400 level course in Art History, offered in the School of Art & Design: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
• Fourth Year:
  • First Semester:
    • ARTH 495: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
  • Second Semester:
    • ARTH 495: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours
    • Free elective course: 3 hours

Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts & Sciences in History of Art will be able to:

1. Demonstrate familiarity with key artistic monuments and modes of art production from various global contexts.
2. Analyze and interpret works of art and architecture situated in a variety of historical and social contexts, and in comparative perspective.
3. Use visual and verbal primary sources, secondary sources, and core critical frameworks of art historical analysis to develop and articulate persuasive arguments about works of art and the cultures that produced them.
4. Engage with adjacent humanities disciplines in development of an interdisciplinary practice of art history.