Bachelor of Arts in Art History
The Bachelor of Arts in Art History gives students the opportunity to learn about the visual cultures of the past and present around the globe. The 36 unit degree offers a series of increasingly focused courses—200-level survey courses, more specialized 300- and 400-level lecture courses, 500-level Advanced Topics, and the 600-level senior capstone seminar—in which students learn how to analyze and interpret visual art within diverse historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. The program takes advantage of the Bay Area's rich cultural resources, galleries, and museums. Students are encouraged to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge of the field through an internship. The Art History major prepares students for many kinds of careers, including administrative or curatorial positions in museums, galleries, and auction houses, writing and editorial positions, or graduate school in art history, museum/curatorial studies, or conservation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.A. in Art History, students will:
- Gain breadth and depth of knowledge of art history globally: identify major artists, works, movements; define key terms, concepts, and theories; and understand diverse historical, social, political, cultural, and ideological perspectives.
- Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, formal analysis, and visual literacy to interpret and evaluate the meaning of art and visual culture.
- Gain verbal expression and oral presentation skills in both informal discussion and formal context.
- Become proficient in writing and research skills in both informal discussion and formal contexts.
- Understand and apply art historical methodology and theoretical models.
- Show evidence of curiosity, risk-taking, experimentation, problem-solving, collaboration, and compassion in class discussion, small group work, and research/writing.
- Understand the ethical dimension of artistic practice and scholarship within a global context and in relationship to the dynamics of power—including those of class, gender, race, and geopolitics—as expressed through visual, spatial, institutional, and ideological practices.
- Gain a basic knowledge and understanding of artistic practice and process, and be able to draw on such knowledge in the interpretation of works of art, as well as to enrich their research and scholarly process.
Steps to Change Major
Juniors or seniors who have declared in another major, but wish to change their major to Art History must change the major online and meet with an art history advisor for approval. A list of departmental advisors and contact information can be found on the school’s website: https://art.sfsu.edu/advising.
For students transferring from other institutions, a minimum of 12 units in residence is required.
Advising
Students are strongly encouraged to consult with a major advisor on a regular basis as they advance through the program. A list of departmental advisors and contact information can be found on the school’s website: https://art.sfsu.edu/advising.
Students are also advised to consult with the University’s Advising Center for information about General Education and other University requirements, as well as the Advising Resource Center in the College of Liberal & Creative Arts: https://advisinglca.sfsu.edu/
Bachelor of Arts in Art History — 36 units
Lower-Division Courses (9 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Art History | ||
| Select two: | 6 | |
| ARTH 201 | Western Art History I | 3 |
| ARTH 202 | Western Art History II | 3 |
| ARTH/HUM 205 | Asian Art History | 3 |
| Studio Art | ||
| Select one: | 3 | |
| ART 210 | Introduction to Digital Media Arts | 3 |
| ART 222 | Introduction to Textile Art | 3 |
| ART 231 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 |
| ART 235 | Introduction to Printmaking | 3 |
| ART 240 | Introduction to Contemporary Sculpture | 3 |
| ART 245 | Introduction to Ceramics | 3 |
| ART 260 | Introduction to the Darkroom | 3 |
Before advancing to the 300-level or higher courses or declaring a concentration, all majors must have completed the University’s lower-division requirements and the lower-division courses for the major, or equivalent. Change of major students must also have proof of art advisor consultation.
Upper-Division 300-400 Level Art History Lectures (9 units)
Select from:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH/LTNS 301 | Latin American and Latino/a/x Art, 1492 to the Present | 3 |
| ARTH 306 | Modern and Contemporary Art in a North American and European Context, 1945-present | 3 |
| ARTH 401/CLAR 420 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| ARTH 402/CLAR 425 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome | 3 |
| ARTH 403/SXS 405 | Queer Art History | 3 |
| ARTH 404/CLAR 550 | Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean Bronze Age | 3 |
| ARTH 406 | Global Renaissance and Baroque Art | 3 |
| ARTH 407/CLAR 500 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 409/CLAR 530 | Greek Vase Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 410/CLAR 531 | Greek Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTH 411 | South Asian Art I: Neolithic to Medieval Periods | 3 |
| ARTH 412 | South Asian Art II: Early Modern to Contemporary Periods | 3 |
| ARTH 421 | Special Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTH/HUM 496 | Art, Architecture, and Space in the Islamic World | 3 |
Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 400GW | Writing About Art - GWAR | 3 |
500-Level Art History courses (6 units)
Take twice with two different topics.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 516 | Advanced Topics in Art History | 3 |
Senior Capstone Seminar (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 602 | Art History Seminar | 3 |
Internship/Visual Studies Elective (3 units)
Select one:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| AA S 516 | Asian American Photographic Explorations | 3 |
| AA S 588 | Asian American Media Workshop | 3 |
| AIS 325 | American Indian Art | 3 |
| ANTH 326 | Origins of Art and Visual Representation | 3 |
| ART 619 | Exhibition Design | 3 |
| ART 671 | Internships in the Visual Arts | 3 |
| HUM 390 | Images of Eroticism | 3 |
| HUM 490 | American Images: Photography and Literature | 3 |
| HUM/ARTH 496 | Art, Architecture, and Space in the Islamic World | 3 |
| HUM 531 | Images of Modern China | 3 |
| LS 426 | Thought and Image: Creative Arts | 3 |
| PHIL 460 | Philosophy of Art | 3 |
| WGS 303 | Feminist Artivism & Praxis | 3 |
Art History Elective (3 units)
One additional 300–600 level Art History course that was not used to fulfill one of the above requirements. Select from:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH/LTNS 301 | Latin American and Latino/a/x Art, 1492 to the Present | 3 |
| ARTH 306 | Modern and Contemporary Art in a North American and European Context, 1945-present | 3 |
| ARTH 401/CLAR 420 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Greece | 3 |
| ARTH 402/CLAR 425 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Rome | 3 |
| ARTH 403/SXS 405 | Queer Art History | 3 |
| ARTH 404/CLAR 550 | Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean Bronze Age | 3 |
| ARTH 406 | Global Renaissance and Baroque Art | 3 |
| ARTH 407/CLAR 500 | Art and Archaeology of Ancient Egypt | 3 |
| ARTH 409/CLAR 530 | Greek Vase Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 410/CLAR 531 | Greek Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTH 411 | South Asian Art I: Neolithic to Medieval Periods | 3 |
| ARTH 412 | South Asian Art II: Early Modern to Contemporary Periods | 3 |
| ARTH 421 | Special Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTH/HUM 496 | Art, Architecture, and Space in the Islamic World | 3 |
| ARTH 516 | Advanced Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTH 602 | Art History Seminar | 3 |
| ART 619 | Exhibition Design | 3 |
| ART 671 | Internships in the Visual Arts | 1-3 |
Complementary Studies
All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Art must complete 12 units of Complementary Studies from courses bearing a prefix other than ARTH, and not cross-listed with ARTH. Please note that Studio Art (ART) classes may count towards Complementary Studies, as may a Studio Art Minor.
Students may satisfy this requirement in a variety of ways designed to facilitate timely graduation. Under advisement students may complete one of the following:
- 12 units of coursework in a single foreign language,
- Museum Studies Minor
- an approved study abroad program,
- partial completion of a second major, minor, or
- 12 units of coursework in a related area of study.
Students are strongly encouraged to work closely with their major advisor on the completion of this requirement.
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and SF State units can best be applied to this requirement to ensure degree completion within 60 units.
Note: Students who complete two majors, or a major and a minor, automatically complete the Complementary Studies requirement.
General Education Requirements
| Requirement | Course Level | Units | Area Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Communication | LD | 3 | A1 |
| Written English Communication | LD | 3 | A2 |
| Critical Thinking | LD | 3 | A3 |
| Physical Science | LD | 3 | B1 |
| Life Science | LD | 3 | B2 |
| Lab Science | LD | 1 | B3 |
| Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning | LD | 3 | B4 |
| Arts | LD | 3 | C1 |
| Humanities | LD | 3 | C2 |
| Arts or Humanities | LD | 3 | C1 or C2 |
| Social Sciences | LD | 3 | D1 |
| Social Sciences: US History | LD | 3 | D2 |
| Lifelong Learning and Self-Development (LLD) | LD | 3 | E |
| Ethnic Studies | LD | 3 | F |
| Physical and/or Life Science | UD | 3 | UD-B |
| Arts and/or Humanities | UD | 3 | UD-C |
| Social Sciences | UD | 3 | UD-D |
| SF State Studies | |||
| Courses certified as meeting the SF State Studies requirements may be upper or lower division in General Education (GE), a major or minor, or an elective. | |||
| American Ethnic and Racial Minorities | LD or UD | 3 | AERM |
| Environmental Sustainability | LD or UD | 3 | ES |
| Global Perspectives | LD or UD | 3 | GP |
| Social Justice | LD or UD | 3 | SJ |
Note: LD = Lower-Division; UD = Upper-Division.
First-Time Student Roadmap (4 Year)
The roadmaps presented in this Bulletin are intended as suggested plans of study and do not replace meeting with an advisor. For a more personalized roadmap, please use the Degree Planner tool found in your Student Center.
Transfer Student Roadmap (2 Year)
For students with an AA-T in Art History.
This degree program is an approved pathway (“similar” major) for students earning the ADT in Art History
California legislation SB 1440 (2009) mandated the creation of the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) to be awarded by the California Community Colleges. Two types of ADTs are awarded: Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) and Associate in Science for Transfer (AS-T).
Note: no specific degree is required for admission as an upper-division student. However, the ADT includes specific guarantees related to admission and graduation and is designed to clarify the transfer process and strengthen lower-division preparation for the major.
An ADT totals 60 units and in most cases includes completion of all lower-division General Education requirements and at least 18 units in a specific major. (The Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science AS-T degrees defer 3 units in lower-division GE area C and 3 units in lower-division GE area D until after transfer.) Students pursuing an ADT are guaranteed admission to the CSU if minimum eligibility requirements are met, though not necessarily to the CSU campus of primary choice.
Upon verification that the ADT has been awarded prior to matriculation at SF State, students are guaranteed B.A. or B.S. completion in 60 units if pursuing a “similar” major after transfer. Determinations about “similar” majors at SF State are made by faculty in the discipline.
Degree completion in 60 units cannot be guaranteed when a student simultaneously pursues an additional major, a minor, certificate, or credential.
A sample advising roadmap for students who have earned an ADT and continue in a "similar" major at SF State is available on the Roadmaps tab on the degree requirements page for the major. The roadmap displays:
- How many lower-division units required for the major have been completed upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
- Which lower-division requirements are considered complete upon entry based on the award of a specific ADT;
- How to complete the remaining 60 units for the degree in four semesters.
Students who have earned an ADT should seek advising in the major department during the first semester of attendance.
General Advising Information for Transfer Students
- Before transfer, complete as many lower-division requirements or electives for this major as possible.
- The following courses are not required for admission but are required for graduation. Students are strongly encouraged to complete these units before transfer; doing so will provide more flexibility in course selection after transfer.
- a course in U.S. History
- a course in U.S. & California Government
For information about satisfying the requirements described in (1) and (2) above at a California Community College (CCC), please visit http://www.assist.org. Check any geographically accessible CCCs; sometimes options include more than one college. Use ASSIST to determine:
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy any lower-division major requirements for this major;
- Which courses at a CCC satisfy CSU GE, US History, and US & CA Government requirements.
Remedial courses are not transferable and do not apply to the minimum 60 semester units/90 quarter units required for admission.
Additional units for courses that are repeated do not apply to the minimum 60 units required for upper-division transfer (for example, if a course was not passed on the first attempt or was taken to earn a better grade).
Before leaving the last California Community College of attendance, obtain a summary of completion of lower-division General Education units (IGETC or CSU GE Breadth). This is often referred to as a GE certification worksheet. SF State does not require delivery of this certification to Admissions, but students should retain this document for verifying degree progress after transfer.
Credit for Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College-Level Examination Program courses: AP/IB/CLEP credit is not automatically transferred from the previous institution. Units are transferred only when an official score report is delivered to SF State. Credit is based on the academic year during which exams were taken. Refer to the University Bulletin in effect during the year of AP/IB/CLEP examination(s) for details regarding the award of credit for AP/IB/CLEP.
Students pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines often defer 6-9 units of lower-division General Education in Areas C and D until after transfer to focus on preparation courses for the major. This advice does not apply to students pursuing associate degree completion before transfer.
Transferring From Institutions Other Than CCCs or CSUs
Review SF State's lower-division General Education requirements. Note that, as described below, the four basic skills courses required for admission meet A1, A2, A3, and B4 in the SF State GE pattern. Courses that fulfill the remaining areas of SF State’s lower-division GE pattern are available at most two-year and four-year colleges and universities.
Of the four required basic skills courses, a course in critical thinking (A3) may not be widely offered outside the CCC and CSU systems. Students should attempt to identify and take an appropriate course no later than the term of application to the CSU. To review more information about the A3 requirement, please visit bulletin.sfsu.edu/undergraduate-education/general-education/lower-division/#AAEL.
Waiting until after transfer to take a single course at SF State that meets both US and CA/local government requirements may be an appropriate option, particularly if transferring from outside of California.