B.A. in Art History
Harrisonburg, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
USD 6,434 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* regular admission | November 1st, 2022: early admission
** in-state tuition fee | $15,076: out-of-state tuition fee. Additional fees may apply
Introduction
An Art History graduate can look forward to a career in museum curation, art advising, art law and enforcement, corporate consulting, appraising and more.
Art History students study the history of the visual arts in their cultural and social context. Students learn to describe, analyze, and interpret the form and content of works of art and become familiar with art history theory, methods of analysis and art criticism.
The Art History major requires 120 credit hours in general education, foreign language, philosophy and elective courses. Of these hours, 39 must be taken in Art History courses.
Gallery
Program Outcome
Students majoring in art history will develop a general knowledge of exemplary monuments, artists, art media, art periods and artistic styles. Students will also:
- Describe, analyze and interpret the form and content of individual works of art in relation to their cultures and historical contexts.
- Become familiar with art history theory and methods of analysis and criticism.
- Research and write about significant artists, artistic events, periods and artistic concepts.
Admissions
Curriculum
Students in any degree program may study art history as a second major by completing the 39-credit art history requirement. Students studying art history as a second major do not need to complete the requirements for the B.A. degree if their first major will complete the requirements for a different baccalaureate degree. However, non-B.A. degree students completing art history as a second major are strongly encouraged to complete the B.A. foreign language requirement.
Required Courses
- General Education1 41 credit hours
- Foreign Language classes (intermediate level required)2 0-14 credit hours
- Philosophy course (in addition to General Education courses) 3 credit hours
- University electives3 23-37 credit hours
- Major requirements 39 credit hours
Footnotes
1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary.
2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student’s chosen language (typically 232) or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language, Literature and Culture’s placement test.
3 Depends on number of hours needed to fulfill the B.A. foreign language requirement. If they are completed in six hours, students should use the larger number of general electives to complete a second major or minor that complements art or art history or, for students intending to pursue graduate degrees, to gain reading knowledge of a second foreign language.
Major Requirements
The major in art history requires 39 credit hours in art history and studio courses, as the following chart shows. At least six of these credit hours must be 400-level art history courses.
Core courses at the 200 level are broad interpretive overviews of art history that combine lecture and discussion to permit students to learn the content and chronology of world art history; to learn how art historians collect, analyze and synthesize evidence; and to engage in introductory exercises in the discipline. They generally include short formal writing assignments and exams with essay sections.
Distributives at the 300 level also combine lecture and discussion, more narrowly surveying specific periods or cultures and addressing aspects of art historical methodology. These courses require longer formal writing assignments and include student research. Courses at the 400 level are seminars on specialized topics that center on advanced student research. A single course may not fulfill more than one distribution requirement.
Required Courses
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 300. Art History Seminar Credits: 3.00 1
- ARTH 400. Art History Research Portfolio Credits: 0.00
Non-Western Electives (choose one of the following):
- ARTH 312. African Art: Sub-Saharan Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 325. Topics in Non-Western Art and Architecture Credits: 3.00-9.00
- ARTH 418. Modern and Contemporary African Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 419. Topics in African Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 424. Arts of Ancient Egypt Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 425. Advanced Topics in Non-Western Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 484. Art of the Americas Credits: 3.00
Cross-Cultural Electives (choose one of the following):
- ARTH 326. Topics in Cross-Cultural Art Credits: 3.00-9.00
- ARTH 332. Islamic Art and Architecture Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 426. Advanced Topics in Cross-Cultural Art Credits: 3.00-9.00
- ARTH 440. City of Jerusalem Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 446. Renaissance Art and the East Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 488. African American Art Credits: 3.00
Pre-Modern Elective (choose one of the following):
- ARTH 312. African Art: Sub-Saharan Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 327. Topics in Pre-Modern Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 332. Islamic Art and Architecture Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 424. Arts of Ancient Egypt Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 427. Advanced Topics in Pre-Modern Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 440. City of Jerusalem Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 446. Renaissance Art and the East Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 484. Art of the Americas Credits: 3.00
Modern and Contemporary Elective (choose one of the following):
- ARTH 304. History of Photography Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 328. Topics in Modern and Contemporary Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 360. Nineteenth Century Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 372. Modern Art From 1900-1945 Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 380. American Art to 1870 Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 382. American Art from 1870 Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 404. Topics in the History of Photography Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 406. Monticello Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 418. Modern and Contemporary African Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 419. Topics in African Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 428. Advanced Topics in Modern and Contemporary Art Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 471. Commemoration and Controversy: Public Art in America Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 472. Modern Art Since 1945 Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 488. African American Art Credits: 3.00
Additional Courses
- Art history electives (300-400 level)1 12 credit hours
- Studio art and design electives (any level)2 6 credit hours
Footnotes
1 ART 305. A seminar in Aesthetics may count as an art history elective. A maximum of three credits from ARTH 490, ARTH 495 or ARTH 499 may count toward the major.
2 ART 200. Art in General Culture [C2VPA] may not count as studio art and design elective.
Recommended Schedule For Majors
First Year
- Choose one of the following: 3 credit hours
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
or - ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- Foreign language courses 6 Credit Hours
- Cluster One: Skills for the 21st Century 9 Credit Hours
- General Education course 3-6 Credit Hours
- General electives 6-9 Credit Hours
Second Year
- Choose one of the following: 3 credit hours
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
or - ARTH 206. Survey of World Art II: Renaissance to Modern [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- ARTH 205. Survey of World Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance [C2VPA] Credits: 3.00
- Choose a foreign language (if needed) or general electives 6 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 18 Credit Hours
- Studio Art elective 3 Credit Hours
Third Year
- Non-Western art history elective 3 Credit Hours
- Western art history electives 6 Credit Hours
- ARTH 300. Art History Seminar Credits: 3.00
- General electives 3 Credit Hours
- Studio Art elective 3 Credit Hours
- General Education courses 12 Credit Hours
Fourth Year
- Art History electives 12 Credit Hours
- General electives 18 Credit Hours
Career Opportunities
A successful career and a meaningful life is what it’s all about. Whether it’s an internship, a great first job or a top graduate school appointment, JMU Dukes make their dreams ignite. You will, too.
Here are current openings available to JMU students.
Jobs for JMU Students
Curator
- Heart of the City Community Development Coordinator AmeriCorps VISTA at Kansas City Public Library
- Digital Archivist at East Carolina University
- Manuscripts Curator at East Carolina University
- Curatorial Assistant at American Museum of Natural History
Museum
- Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Statistics - Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University
- Strategy Analyst at Dollar Tree & Family Dollar
- MBA STRATEGY SPECIALIST at Dollar Tree & Family Dollar
- Accounting Specialist (Billing) at JK Moving Services & CapRelo
- Culinary/Back of House Manager in Training (OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ACROSS THE U.S.) at Compass Group USA
- Painter/Production Artist/Traveling Muralist at Creative Works
- Account Executive (Hybrid) at JK Moving Services & CapRelo
- Solidworks Engineer - Furniture/Toy/Prop Designer at Creative Works
- Reading Specialist, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Teaching Fellow, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- High School Teacher (2022-2023 School Year), Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- ELA/English Teacher Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- History or Social Studies Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Middle or High School Math Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Science Teacher Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Music Elementary Elective Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- ENL Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- High School Spanish Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
- Physical Education Teacher, Promise Academy at Harlem Children's Zone (NY)
Art Education
- Assistant CAD Graphic Designer, January 2023 Executive Development Program at Carter's, Inc.
- Assistant Professor (tenure-track) in Statistics - Department of Mathematics, Applied Mathematics and Statistics at Case Western Reserve University
- Fire Service Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - Basic at City of Philadelphia
- Extended Care Staff at St. Anne's School of Annapolis
- Art Instructor, Haskell Indian Nations University at Bureau of Indian Education
- Patent Examiner (Electrical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Chemical Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Engineering) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Biomedical Engineer) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Computer Science) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Patent Examiner (Physics) at U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Recreation Leader I, Newhall Community Center - PTS at City of Santa Clarita
- Physical Therapist at LifePoint Health Student Programs
- Entry Level Sales Executive (Virginia Beach, VA) 3585 at Genesis Biotechnology Group
- Front Office Coordinator - Tucson North at BASIS Charter Schools
- Front Office Assistant - Tucson North at BASIS Charter Schools
- Physical Therapist at LifeScape
- Assistant Professor of English, tenure track at Montana State University-Northern
- Full-Time Lecturers - Department of English at Case Western Reserve University
Internships for JMU Students
Curator
- Merchandising Solutions Co-Op at The Home Depot
- BPI Client Services/Paid Media Fellowship Program-Spring 2023 at Bully Pulpit Interactive
- Summer Journalism Internships in Digital/Editing/Business Reporting/Audience/Data at Dow Jones News Fund
- Summer Intern-Social Media, Strategic Communications at Vizient, Inc.
- Summer Intern-Enterprise Data at Vizient, Inc.
- Sales Planning Intern at CUNA Mutual Group
- Museum Collections Member - Andersonville National Historic Site at American Conservation Experience
- Graphic Design Intern, Creative Marketing at Ginkgo Bioworks
- Marketing Internship Experience 1.B: Social Media, Newsletter, and Web Content Writing and Automation that Counters Misinformation and Supports Non-profits at Bashpole Software, Inc., a 100% Remote Work Company DBA PromoterMotor.com
- Fundraising and Operations Intern for Growing Non Profit - Spring Semester 2023 at DMAX Foundation
- EDITION by Modern Luxury Print Editorial Internship - Fall 2022 (Remote) at Modern Luxury
- Marketing Events Summer Intern at PitchBook Data, Inc.
- Content Designer Summer Intern: 2023 (CIO) at IBM
- Social Media and Local Health Department Internship at Harris County
- Intern - Film Screener at Flix Premiere
- Summer 2023 U.S. Photo Editing Internship at The Wall Street Journal at The Wall Street Journal
- Summer 2023 Graphics Internship at The Wall Street Journal at The Wall Street Journal
- Summer 2023 Podcast Internship at The Wall Street Journal at The Wall Street Journal
- Summer 2023 Video Internship at The Wall Street Journal at The Wall Street Journal
Museum
- Center for Jewish History – Audio Visual Intern at Center for Jewish History
- Culinary Intern (OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE ACROSS THE U.S.) at Compass Group USA
- Museum Collections Member - Andersonville National Historic Site at American Conservation Experience
- The Phillips Collection Community Engagement Intern at Dupont Kalorama Museum Consortium
- Library of Congress Spring 2023 Internship at The Washington Center
- Social Media Virtual Intern (Winter/Spring 2023) at Smithsonian Associates
- Adult Education Programming and Special Events Virtual Intern (Winter/Spring 2023) at Smithsonian Associates
- Fall and Spring Internships for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- History Museum Intern at Vinton Historical Society, Inc
- Nauticus Merchandising Intern at Nauticus
- Social Media Intern at The Mansion on O Street
- Hospitality Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Development Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Events Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Photography Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Volunteering Graphic Designer at William Preston's Smithfield
- Music Archivist-Curator Internship at The Mansion on O Street
- Contemporary Art Museum internship at Shenandoah MOCA
Art Education
- Bighorn Sheep and Oryx Biology Member - San Andres National Wildlife Refuge at American Conservation Experience
- Technical Intern - Systems Integration & Test at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Data Scientist at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Thermal Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Technical Intern - Optical Engineer at Ball Aerospace
- Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Human Resources Intern at JCC
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Spring 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Factory Farming Awareness Coalition - National College Internship Summer 2023 at Factory Farming Awareness Coalition
- Engineering Intern, Wafer Processing at IPG Photonics
- Paid Internships for Education Majors and Student Athletes at a Coed Summer Camp at Tyler Hill Camp
- Coed Summer Camp - Paid Internships at Tyler Hill Camp
- AmeriCorps Summer Daycamp Leader - PT North Texas Internship at Project Transformation North Texas
- Digital Artist Intern at KCF Technologies, Inc.
- Internships in Design, Verification, and Validation Engineering - Summer 2023 at NXP Semiconductors
- CDC Clinical Chemistry Internship at Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
- Summer 2023 Bond & Specialty Insurance Underwriting Internship at Travelers
- Summer 2023 Bond & Specialty Insurance Underwriting Internship at Travelers
- Stage Management Internship - Toni Stone Production at Goodman Theatre
Scholarships and Funding
Madison awards more than 400 one- to four-year scholarships each year to incoming students. The primary criterion for merit-based scholarships is exceptional academic performance. Other selection criteria may include leadership, involvement, and career goals.
The Madison Scholarships Hub is the application center for all JMU Foundation scholarships at James Madison University. To access the Madison Scholarships Hub, log in to MyMadison. Under the Applicant tab, click on the Madison Scholarships Hub logo.
All students are encouraged to fill out the General Application in the Madison Scholarships Hub to be considered for various scholarship opportunities. Qualifications for the majority of our scholarships are based on the General Application information as well as information pulled directly from your admissions application.
Review the criteria carefully for any recommended scholarship opportunities you are presented with and if you meet the qualifications, click apply to submit the additional required information. Deadlines vary across departments so be sure to complete the General Application as soon as possible to receive full consideration. Some scholarship opportunities become available starting in the fall while others open later so be sure to check back in January, February and March.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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