2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Oct 05, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art, Art History and Museum Studies Concentration, B.A.


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The Art History and Museum Studies concentration gives students an opportunity to study the visual culture of the world, from prehistoric cave paintings to works being produced by artists active today. Majors learn about works of art and about the different geographies, histories, social and political contexts and cultural traditions that informed their making. Our program is particularly strong in the study of art from the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Baroque, Latin America, United States, 20th and 21st centuries. 

The art history curriculum focuses on the analysis and interpretation of art, with a particular emphasis on developing critical thinking and writing skills. Lower division courses take broad views of particular movements and periods while upper division classes examine issues and themes in greater depth. In the major capstone course, students conduct advanced art historical research and craft a scholarly research paper. 

Students take classes in studio art and language to learn about the creation of art and how language and culture influence the creative act. They study the history and theory of museums as well the function of museums within contemporary culture, and gain hands-on experience in museum practices.    

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major includes a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course.

Requirements for the Major (55 Units)


The Art major with a concentration in Art History and Museum Studies requires 32 units of core coursework and 23 units of concentration specific courses. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in any major course for it to count toward the major. 

Concentration: Lower Division Courses (14 Units)


Lower Division Art History Electives


Complete two courses (6 units) from the following list.

Language


  • Complete one year (8 units) of a language other than English at the college level (French, German, and Spanish are recommended).

Core: Art History Elective (Complete one)


Students in the Art Education or Art Studio Concentrations may select any course from the following list. Students in the Art History and Museum Studies Concentration must take ART 305 to meet the major core requirements. (Students in this concentration will take additional lower and upper division art history courses to meet concentration specific requirements.)

Core: Art Studio Elective (Complete two)


Students in the Art Education and Art Studio Concentrations may select any two courses from the following list to meet the major core requirements. (Students in these concentrations will take additional lower and upper division art studio courses to meet concentration specific requirements.) Students in the Art History and Museum Studies Concentration must take ART 356 and ART 482.

Concentration: Upper Division Art History Electives


Complete 9 units from the following list. Select courses in consultation with major advisor.

Core: Capstone (3-4 Units)


Complete one course.

Program Learning Outcomes


Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Distinguish and comprehend diverse forms of visual culture in their aesthetic, historical and cultural contexts using discipline-specific terminology and concepts.
  2. Develop effective oral and written art historical arguments using established art historical methodologies and supported by the use and interpretation of primary and secondary resources.
  3. Understand the impact of visual art and arts institutions in addressing ethical issues, implementing positive social change and promoting equity and inclusion.
  4. Apply art historical and museological skills and knowledge toward professional practices in museums, galleries and arts organizations.

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