Program Overview
Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Art History
The Bachelor of Arts in Art History, offered by the Department of Art History at Temple University, is designed to teach students how to think critically and conduct research about the history of culture from a visual, interdisciplinary, and global perspective. This program prepares students for a wide range of careers or further study at the graduate level.
Overview of the Program
The program is based at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture, one of the nation's top art schools, providing access to dynamic faculty members with a diverse range of interests, the resources of a large research university, study abroad programs in Rome and Tokyo, and opportunities for field trips, research, internships, and enrichment in Philadelphia.
Campus Location and Program Code
- Campus Location: Main
- Program Code: TA-ARTH-BA
Admissions
For information on how to apply, students should visit the Tyler School of Art and Architecture's admissions page.
Study Abroad
Students planning to study abroad should meet with their academic advisor and the Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office early, preferably during the freshman year, to explore options and plan the sequence of courses.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Art History program find jobs in the non-profit and for-profit sectors, including museums, galleries, libraries, auction houses, publishers, and more, and earn placements in competitive graduate programs. Participating in internships at museums and galleries is encouraged to prepare for careers in the arts.
Accreditation
Temple University is a non-profit accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines.
Summary of Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts in Art History may be conferred upon a student by recommendation of the faculty and upon the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 123 semester hours of credit with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 overall and in the major. Grades below a C- in Art History and General Education courses do not fulfill requirements for the degree.
University Requirements
- Students must complete the requirements of the General Education (GenEd) program.
- Summer or semester study abroad will satisfy the GenEd Global/World Society (GG) requirement.
Program Requirements
- A minimum of 66 credits must be taken outside of Tyler departments to earn the degree.
- A minimum of 45 semester hours in upper-level courses must be completed with a passing grade.
- Two 2000+ courses (minimum 6 credits) must be taken from Social or Natural Sciences.
- Upper-level Art History courses are categorized as upper-level Liberal Arts (CLA) courses.
- Students must complete the second level of a foreign language.
Foreign Language Requirement
Students must select one of the following second-level foreign language courses:
- ARBC 1002: Arabic Elements II
- CHI 1002: Chinese Elements II
- FREN 1002: Introduction to French II
- GER 1002: Introduction to German II
- GRKA 1002: Ancient Greek 2
- HEBR 1002: Elements II
- HIN 1002: Hindi Elements II
- ITAL 1002: Italian Language II
- ITAL 1902: Honors Italian Language II
- JPNS 1002: Japanese Elements II
- KRN 1002: Korean Elements II
- LAT 1002: Latin 2
- PORT 1002: Basic II
- RUS 1002: First-Year Russian II
- SPAN 1002: Basic II
- SPAN 1902: Honors Basic II
Art History Major Requirements (minimum of 41 s.h.)
Introductory Level Courses
- ARTH 1155: Arts of the World I: Prehistoric to 1300
- ARTH 1156: Arts of the World II: 1300 to the 21st Century
- Alternatively, students may take the honors versions of these courses: ARTH 1955 and ARTH 1956.
Upper Level Lecture Course
Select one course from 4 of the 5 groups below:
- Earliest times to 600: Various courses including ARTH 2101, ARTH 2105, ARTH 2110, etc.
- Medieval to Renaissance: Courses such as ARTH 2043, ARTH 2200, ARTH 2215, etc.
- Renaissance to Baroque: Includes ARTH 2310, ARTH 2321, ARTH 2323, etc.
- 1800-Present: Courses like ARTH 2003, ARTH 2005, ARTH 2006, etc.
- Transhistorical: Courses including ARTH 2004, ARTH 2044, ARTH 2428, etc.
Capstone
- ARTH 3097: Art History Capstone (WI)
Electives
- Three additional upper-level Art History electives numbered 2000 and above.
Writing Intensive Course
- In addition to the Capstone requirement, one other Upper-Level Art History course must be Writing Intensive (WI).
- Options include ARTH 2096, ARTH 2097, ARTH 2098, ARTH 2196, and ARTH 2897.
Studio Art
- One Studio Art Course
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan for the Bachelor of Arts in Art History is outlined over four years, including specific courses for each semester to ensure students meet all requirements for graduation.
Year 1
- Fall: ARTH 1155, ENG 0802, GenEd Breadth Course, GenEd Breadth Course, Free Elective
- Spring: ARTH 1156, IH 0851, GenEd Breadth Course, GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course, Free Elective
Year 2
- Fall: Upper-Level 2000+ WI Art History Course, Foreign Language 1001, IH 0852, GenEd Breadth Course, GenEd Breadth Course
- Spring: Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Foreign Language 1002, GenEd Breadth Course, GenEd Breadth Course, Free Elective
Year 3
- Fall: Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Upper-Level 2000+ Liberal Arts Elective, Studio Art
- Spring: ARTH 3097, Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Upper-Level 2000+ CLA Social Science Elective, Free Elective
Year 4
- Fall: Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Upper-Level 2000+ CLA Social Science Elective, Upper-Level 2000+ Liberal Arts Elective, Free Elective, Free Elective
- Spring: Upper-Level 2000+ Art History Course, Upper-Level 2000+ Liberal Arts Elective, Free Elective, Free Elective