Art History and Visual Studies (BA)
Program Description
The Art History and Visual Studies major is designed to make you a wise navigator of our media-saturated environment. The program has a modern and contemporary focus, and encourages hands-on engagement with mounting, curating, and reviewing gallery shows.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Art History and Visual Studies (BA)
59 Credits Minimum, Including 24 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Art History Core (One Study Abroad Course OK) | ||
| ART 2602 | Monuments of World Art I | 5 |
| ART 2603 | Monuments of World Art II | 5 |
| ART 3605 | Modern Art: Image and Power | 5 |
| ART 3606 | Cross-Cultural Encounters | 5 |
| ART 3608 | Issues in Contemporary Art and Visual Culture | 5 |
| ART 3611 | Reading Images: An Introduction to Visual Studies | 3 |
| ART 4898 | Senior Capstone in Studio Arts | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 31 | |
| Electives | 10 | |
| Drawing Studio: Observation and Realism | ||
| Art Foundations 1: Surface | ||
| Art Foundations 2: Space | ||
| Art Foundations 3: Time | ||
| Color Studio | ||
| Drawing Studio: Design and Perspective | ||
| Photography | ||
| Painting Studio: Observation and Realism | ||
| Printmaking Studio | ||
| Metals Studio | ||
| Illustration: New Pictures | ||
| Sculpture Studio | ||
| Section Credits Required | 10 | |
| Advisor-Approved Cultural Immersion Elective | 10 | |
| Student-Designed Concentration (3-UD Required) | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 59 | |
- 1
One study abroad course may be subbed.
Suggested Course Sequence
| Freshman | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ART 2602 | Monuments of World Art I | 5 |
| ART 2603 | Monuments of World Art II | 5 |
| Studio Art courses 1 | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Studio Art courses 1 | ||
| Cultural Immersion courses 2 | ||
| Courses listed under Junior year | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Junior | ||
| ART 3605 | Modern Art: Image and Power | 5 |
| ART 3606 | Cross-Cultural Encounters | 5 |
| ART 3608 | Issues in Contemporary Art and Visual Culture | 5 |
| ART 3611 | Reading Images: An Introduction to Visual Studies | 3 |
| Studio Art courses 1 | ||
| Cultural Immersion courses 2 | ||
| Concentration courses 3 | ||
| Credits | 18 | |
| Senior | ||
| Cultural Immersion courses 2 | ||
| Concentration Area courses 3 | ||
| ART Capstone | ||
| Credits | 0 | |
| Total Credits | 28 | |
- 1
Take your required Studio Art courses early – preferably during the freshman or sophomore year (choose 2). Most Studio Art courses are eligible. Talk to your advisor for more information.
- 2
Take your 10 cultural immersion courses as a sophomore, junior, or, if necessary, senior. (Cultural immersion credits can be study abroad our language. Language should be 10 credits beyond competency. Talk to your advisor about the best language fit for you.)
- 3
Take your “concentration area” courses as a junior or senior. (8 credits, 3 Upper Division. Talk to your advisor about how to select courses that best match your interests.)
- 4
You can substitute certain Study Abroad courses for the required courses listed above. Talk to your advisor for more information.