History of Art Major and Minor Requirements

The B.A. in the History of Art

The history of art major requires 30 hours of course work and gives students the opportunity to study art and visual culture across a wide range of historical periods, from ancient to contemporary. The program is designed to allow for concentration in particular periods and areas of interest. By requiring courses in both the lecture and seminar format, the program aims to provide a basis of comprehensive knowledge and challenging opportunities for more specialized instruction.

Students should consider related offerings in cognate disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Those planning graduate work in history of art should pursue advanced studies—which may include honors—and take advanced courses in other departments offering complementary course work. Advanced language studies are strongly recommended, as graduate programs expect reading facility in one language for the M.A. and two for the Ph.D., with French and German the most commonly required. Non-European languages should be considered for those primarily interested in non-Western traditions.

For a complete description of the HART major and all History of Art courses, please review the 2009-2010 edition of the Undergraduate Catalogue, available for download at the following link:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/catalogs/undergrad/artscience.html

Requirements for the History of Art Major, for all new majors in the History of Art as of 1 July 2009 (30 hours of required coursework):

A 100-level course (3 hours): Students must complete one 100-level survey course in history of art or architecture selected from HART 110, 111, 112, 120 and 122 (a new Asian Architecture survey for Spring 2010). The 100-level course is not a prerequisite for further history of art course work but must be taken at Vanderbilt; AP and transfer credit will not be accepted.

Area requirements (15 hours)--five History of Art courses, one from each of the following areas: 


a. Ancient: HART 256 (CLAS 203), HART 257 (CLAS 204), HART 258 (CLAS 205), HART 260 (CLAS 206), HART 262W, HART 263 (CLAS 211), HART 264 (CLAS 216), HART 266, HART 268 (CLAS 217)
b. Medieval: HART 208, 210, 211
c. Renaissance/Baroque: HART 213W, 214 (formerly 212), 217W, 218, 219, 221, 222
d. Modern: HART 224, 226, 230, 231, 232, 233, 240, 241, 242, 272a/b
e. Non-Western: HART 246, 247, 251, 252, 253

Electives (6 hours): Two upper-level courses in history of art (HART 200 to 290) in addition to the area requirements. These two courses must be History of Art courses, or courses formerly designated as CLAS 203-206, 211, 216-217.

Advanced Seminars (6 hours): 2 HART 295 courses
(These two courses must be taught by different professors); majors are limited to only two HART 295 courses.

(8/1/09)
**************************************************************************************

Requirements for the History of Art Major, for students who declared the major prior to 1 July 2009 (30 hours of required coursework):

Area requirements (15 hours)--five History of Art courses, one from each of the following areas: 


a. Ancient: HART 256 (CLAS 203), HART 257 (CLAS 204), HART 258 (CLAS 205), HART 260 (CLAS 206), HART 262W, HART 263 (CLAS 211), HART 264 (CLAS 216), HART 266, HART 268 (CLAS 217)

b. Medieval: HART 208, 210, 211

c. Renaissance/Baroque: HART 213W, 214 (formerly 212), 217W, 218, 219, 221, 222

d. Modern: HART 224, 226, 230, 231, 232, 233, 240, 241, 242, 272a/b

e. Non-Western: HART 246, 247, 251, 252, 253

Electives (9 hours): Three additional upper-level HART courses, from 200 to 290 (or those designated CLAS 203-206, 211, 216-217). One of these courses may be substituted with either PHIL 240: History of Aesthetics or PHIL 241: Modern Aesthetics, or, 1 ARTS course (a Studio Art process course).

Advanced Seminars (6 hours): 2 HART 295 courses
(these two courses must be taught by different professors); majors are limited to only two HART 295 courses.

(8/1/09)
**************************************************************************************

Requirements for the Minor in History of Art:

The minor in History of Art requires 18 hours of course work, to include the following: Two 100-level courses selected from 110, 111, 112, 120, and 122 (a new Asian Architecture survey for Spring 2010) plus any four upper-level History of Art courses (HART 200 through 295, and classes formerly designated CLAS 203-206, 211, 216, 217). Note: HART minors are limited to only one HART 295 advanced seminar, and enrollment will be permitted only if spaces are available since Senior and Junior HART Majors have priority for these classes.

Requirements for the Minor in History of Architecture:

The minor in History of Architecture requires 18 hours of course work, to include the following: Two 100-level courses selected from 110, 111, 112, 120, and 122 (a new Asian Architecture survey for Spring 2010) plus four upper-level History of Art courses selected from HART 210, 211, 220, 232, 246, 247, 251, 252, 253, 256, 257, 258, 260, 263, 266, 268 (included in this list are the classes formerly designated CLAS 203-206, 211, and 217).

(8/1/09)
**************************************************************************************

Recommended Courses for Pre-Architecture Curriculum*

The courses listed below will help students prepare for most graduate programs in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, Urban Planning, Historic Preservation, Architectural History, and related fields. This curriculum works well for those planning to minor in History of Art, Art, and Theatre, though a student can major in any area and still be a viable candidate for graduate study in architecture. Many of the courses coincide with the AXLE requirements.

A. At least one semester of analytic geometry and calculus (Math 140); one year of calculus (Math 150 ab or higher) is preferred


B. At least one year of calculus-based physics


C. Portfolio of creative work (drawings, paintings, sculpture, creative writing samples, etc.)


D. Two courses from the social sciences


E. Two courses in English/writing


F. Two courses in the humanities


G. Two courses in art history and/or architectural history


H. GRE (Graduate Record Exam)

NOTE: These courses should not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

*From http://www.vanderbilt.edu/AnS/arts/aurbach/preArch.html For more information, please contact Professor Michael Aurbach, pre-architecture advisor.

(02/23/09)