BA in History of Art & Architecture

This major introduces students to monuments and works of art worldwide. Majors work closely with faculty to gain visual and interpretative skills as well as an understanding of technique, materials, and the context in which works of art and architecture are made and viewed. Emphasis on the development of oral and written argument on subjects that cover a wide range of cultures and periods. The opportunity to complete the major with honors is available. The major encourages study abroad through many programs. Students take advantage of local Boston museums for assignments and internships.

Majors are encouraged to contextualize works of art and architecture by attending courses in related fields, notably archaeology, classics, philosophy, history, religion, and literature, sometimes by pursuing a second major or a minor. Each student works closely and regularly with his or her chosen advisor in developing a coherent and meaningful program of study suited to his or her needs and interests. Upon graduation, History of Art & Architecture majors work in museums, galleries, auction houses, architectural firms, municipal and state cultural programs, educational institutions, preservation, and publishing. Many students go on to do graduate work.

All first-year, first-time students will pursue coursework in the BU Hub, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements are flexible and can be satisfied in many different ways, through coursework in and beyond the major and, in some cases, through co-curricular activities. Students majoring in History of Art & Architecture will, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Philosophical, Aesthetic and Historical Interpretation, Diversity, Civic Engagement and Global Citizenship, Communication and the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, co-curricular experiences.

Grades

Students must earn a minimum grade of C in all AH courses taken toward the major or minor.

Learning Outcomes

  • Acquire geographically and temporally broad knowledge of the history of art and architecture.
  • Acquire familiarity with different methodologies in the history of art, architecture and material culture.
  • Develop visual and textual analytic skills.
  • Learn oral communication of art historical arguments.
  • Learn to produce cogent written arguments supported by visual and textual research.

Required Courses

A total of 11 courses are required for the major. All required courses are 4-credit hours.

  • CAS AH 111 Introduction to Art History I: Antiquity to the Middle Ages
  • CAS AH 112 Introduction to Art History II: Renaissance to Today
  • Two of the five survey courses on artistic traditions not covered in AH 111/112:
    • CAS AH 215 Arts of Africa
    • CAS AH 220 Islamic Art and Architecture
    • CAS AH 222 Art and Architecture in Ancient America
    • CAS AH 225 The Arts of Asia
    • CAS AH 242 Latin American Art Since Contact
  • Seven additional courses in History of Art & Architecture, five of which must be at the CAS AH 300 level or above (including at least one seminar at the CAS AH 400 or 500 level), with at least one course covering materials from each of these four groups:

Group A
Ancient
Medieval
Ancient American

Group B
Asian
African
Islamic

Group C
Renaissance
Baroque/18th Century

Group D
19th Century
20th Century
America
Latin American