Art History
The B.A. degree program introduces students to the wide range of artistic styles and periods in the western world as well as art of the non-western world, art historical theory and criticism, and research methodology in the field. The curriculum covers five general areas of art history: ancient, medieval, renaissance/baroque, modern and non-western art.
Overview
Critical thinking, research and writing skills are cultivated in this program, which emphasizes visual literacy, an understanding of history as well as the social forces and cultural ideologies that shape and inform different periods and styles. Requirements include completion of at least one course in four of the five areas. Students who plan to enter graduate study in art history should take courses in all of these areas.
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA for semesters 1-5
- Complete 2 of 8 critical-tracking courses with grades of C or better: ARH 2050, ART 2305C, ART 2757C or ART 2701C, ARH 2051, beginning sequence of a foreign language appropriate to the study of art history (note that for advanced study of art history, students are highly recommended to study French or German), one intermediate level of foreign language and one ARH course at 3000/4000 level
Semester 2
- Complete 3 additional critical-tracking courses with grades of C or better
- 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 3
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with a grade of C or better
- 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with grades of C or better
- 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
- Submit a one-page statement of goals for continuing as an art history major
Semester 5
- Complete all additional critical-tracking courses with grades of C or better
- 3.0 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
Semester 1 |
Credits |
ARH 2050 Introduction to Principles and History of Art 1 (GE-H, N) * |
3 |
ART 2305C Drawing: Form and Space |
3 |
Composition (GE-C, WR) |
3 |
Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 2 |
Credits |
ARH 2051 Introduction to Principles and History of Art 2 (GE-H, N) * |
3 |
ART 2757C Ceramics: 3D Conceptualization or ART 2701C Sculpture: Shaping Form and Space |
3 |
Foreign language ** |
3-5 |
Mathematics (GE-M) |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
Total |
15-17 |
Semester 3 |
Credits |
ARH art history elective, 3000/4000 level (GE-H) |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Foreign language ** |
3-5 |
Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
Total |
15-17 |
Semester 4 |
Credits |
ARH 2500 Non-Western Art * |
3 |
ARH art history elective, 3000/4000 level (GE-H) |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Foreign language (intermediate level) ** |
3 |
Humanities, 3000/4000 level (GE-H) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
* ARH courses required for the major (ARH 2050, ARH 2051 and ARH 2500) cannot be used to satisfy the general education humanities requirement.
** Students must take a foreign language appropriate to the study of art history (note that for advanced study of art history, students are highly recommended to study French or German).Students who wish to use a language other than French or German to fulfill their language requirement must receive approval from the art history area head, whose decision will be based on the appropriateness of the language to the student's focus within the field of art history. Intermediate level foreign language is also required and must be taken at UF with a minimum grade of C. The elementary level can be taken S-U. Substitutions or exceptions require advisor approval.
Complete at least one course in 4 of the 5 areas for a degree in art history: ancient, medieval, renaissance/baroque, modern and non-western art.
Semester 5 |
Credits |
ARH art history electives, 3000/4000 level (GE-H, N) |
6 |
Humanities (GE-H) |
3 |
Humanities elective, 3000/4000 level *** |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 6 |
Credits |
ARH art history electives, 3000/4000 level (GE-H) |
6 |
Elective |
3 |
Humanities elective, 3000/4000 level *** |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 7 |
Credits |
ARH art history electives, 3000/4000 level (GE-H) |
6 |
Humanities elective, 3000/4000 level *** |
3 |
Physical or Biological Science (GE-P or B) |
3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) |
3 |
Total |
15 |
Semester 8 |
Credits |
ARH 4931 Art History Seminar |
3 |
Art or art history electives, 3000/4000 level |
6 |
Electives |
6 |
Total |
15 |
ARH 2050, ARH 2051 and ARH 2401 cannot be used to satisfy the general education humanities requirement.
***Humanities electives may include 3000/4000-level courses in history, philosophy, anthropology, classics, history, literature, philosophy and religion. These electives cannot be taken in art history; they must be listed as humanities courses as indicated by the general education designation of (H).
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