Art History, B.A.

Through Saint Louis University’s undergraduate program in art history, students learn the essential skills of critical analysis, research and communication through examination of the social context in which art was historically — and continues to be — created. SLU's art history faculty members offer a broad field of study that ranges from the earliest civilizations, the Western canon of art and the art of world cultures to the beginnings of modernity and the most current movements in contemporary art.
Art history is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates essential skills from a variety of humanities disciplines such as history, philosophy, theology and economics, and students analyze artworks and the societies that have affected the disciplines.
Additional highlights include:
- In the Jesuit tradition, art history faculty at SLU educate the whole person about humanistic values as expressed through the history of art.
- At SLU, art history courses offer intimate class sizes with individualized attention from faculty.
- SLU art history students engage with arts and cultural institutions locally and nationally through class visits, field trips, internships and employment.
Curriculum Overview
A Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Saint Louis University provides students an in-depth study of the art world. A curriculum that covers a wide range of art offers students the opportunity to delve deeper into their specific periods of interest.
Each student receives a strong, balanced foundation in the study of global traditions in art history through a series of core courses. Faculty have fashioned this curriculum to develop essential art historical methodologies such as critical analysis, social history and semiotics, among others.
To earn a B.A. in Art History at SLU, students must complete 36 credits of required coursework. Eighteen of the 36 credits must be from the 3000- and 4000-level courses.
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
SLU's art history students are not limited to the classroom. They take advantage of the active arts community at the University and in the surrounding St. Louis area. In addition to the Saint Louis University Museum of Art, resources such as the Historic Samuel Cupples House and Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Religious Art are located on the Saint Louis University campus, offering students a hands-on chance to experience the artists and periods they discover in the classroom. The recently renovated Saint Louis Art Museum and numerous other galleries are all within a 10-mile radius of campus.
Benefits of SLU's art history program also include several unique internship and career opportunities, both in the St. Louis region and nationally. On campus, the Samuel Cupples House and the Saint Louis University Museum of Art regularly hire interns. The Missouri Historical Society and the Saint Louis Art Museum are just two of many local institutions that work with students. SLU students have also held internships in Washington, D.C., at the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian. Additionally, research opportunities exist at major libraries and archives.
Careers
Many SLU graduates work in art-related institutions such as galleries, auction houses and museums, as well as in marketing, advertising, law, journalism and other fields that require an understanding of the visually based culture and the ability to express intelligent, well-researched opinions. Others have continued their studies in internationally recognized graduate programs. All have developed skills in critical thinking and communication that aid them in pursuing the career of their choice.
Admission Requirements
Freshman
All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory course work is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file. College admission test scores (ACT or SAT) are used as an additional indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University and are used as qualifiers for certain University scholarship programs. To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, the applicant must be graduating from an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the General Education Development (GED) test.
Transfer
Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED. An official high school transcript and official test scores are required only of those students who have attempted fewer than 24 transferable semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit. Those having completed 24 or more of college credit need only submit a transcript from previously attended college(s). In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the office of admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:
- Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
- Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.
For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
For information on other scholarships and financial aid, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.
Accreditation
The Art History program has been continuously accredited, since 2011, by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
- Graduates will be able to contextualize artwork.
- Graduates will be able to conduct research and critically analyze source materials.
- Graduates will be able to apply the principal methodologies of art history to analyze a work of art, an artist, a patron, a place or a text.
- Graduates will be able to articulate the importance of observing art in person.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Requirements | ||
College core requirements | 57-66 | |
For additional information about core courses | ||
Introductory Course | ||
ARTH 1010 | History of Western Art | 3 |
Research Course | ||
ARTH 4900 | Research Methods | 3 |
Global Arts | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | ||
Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | ||
Islamic Art and Society | ||
Art of the African Diaspora | ||
Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | ||
Islamic Art and Society: Advanced Studies | ||
Studio Art | ||
ART 2000-level | Studio elective | 3 |
Electives | ||
Select from the following categories with a minimum of 9 credits in either category: | 21 | |
Art produced BEFORE 1800 | ||
History of Architecture | ||
Life & Times of Michelangelo | ||
Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | ||
Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | ||
Islamic Art and Society | ||
Saints in Art | ||
History of Spanish Art | ||
Art in Rome | ||
Ancient Art Survey | ||
Art of the African Diaspora | ||
Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | ||
The Art of Cathedrals and Kings | ||
Early Renaissance Art in Italy | ||
High Renaissance Art in Italy | ||
Baroque & Rococo Art Survey | ||
Islamic Art and Society: Advanced Studies | ||
Advanced Art of Pilgrimage and Crusades | ||
Art of Cathedrals and Kings: Advanced | ||
Early Renaissance Art in Italy-Advanced Studies | ||
High Renaissance Art in Italy: Advanced Studies | ||
Northern Renaissance Art | ||
Golden Age of Spanish Art | ||
Special Topics: General | ||
Art produced AFTER 1800 | ||
History of Architecture | ||
Sculpture in Saint Louis | ||
Controversy in Art | ||
Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | ||
History of Spanish Art | ||
Art and History of Madrid | ||
Introduction to African-American Art | ||
Art of the African Diaspora | ||
American Art: Colonial to WW II | ||
American Art: WWII to the Present | ||
Nineteenth Century Art | ||
Modern Art Survey | ||
Contemporary Art Since 1980 | ||
American Art: Colonial to WWII: Advanced Studies | ||
American Art World War II to the Present: Advanced Studies | ||
American Art Between The World Wars | ||
Nineteenth Century Art Survey | ||
Twentieth Century Art | ||
History of Photography | ||
Contemporary Art | ||
Modern Art in Latin America | ||
Religious Dimension in Mod Art | ||
Internship or 3000/4000-level Elective | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Internship | ||
ARTH 3000/4000 Elective | ||
General Electives | 27-18 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
AP and Transfer Policies
No more than 12 credits of transfer credit may be applied to fulfill specific courses or electives within the 36 credits required for a major in art history. No more than six credits of transfer credit may be applied to specific courses or elective courses towards the completion of the 18 credits required for a minor in art history.
Advanced Placement credit cannot be counted toward the art history major at SLU.
Continuation Standards
A student must maintain a C average in major courses.
Bachelor of Arts Core Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core Components and Credits | ||
Foundations of Discourse | 3 | |
Diversity in the U.S. | 3 | |
Global Citizenship | 3 | |
Foreign Language | 0-9 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Literature | 6 | |
Mathematics | 3 | |
Natural Science | 6 | |
Philosophy | 9 | |
Social Science | 6 | |
Theology | 9 | |
World History | 6 | |
Total Credits | 57-66 |
Graduation Requirements
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits (excluding pre-college level courses [numbered below 1000]).
- Complete either the College of Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Core Curriculum Requirements
- Complete Major Requirements: minimum 30 credits required.
- Complete remaining credits with a second major, minor, certificate, and/or elective credits to reach the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
- Courses listed under the intensive English program do not count toward graduation requirements. EAP 1500 College Composition for International Students (3 cr), EAP 1900 Rhetoric & Research Strategies (3 cr) and EAP 2850 Introduction to Literature for International Students (3 cr) count toward graduation requirements as equivalents to Department of English courses. In addition to those courses, six credits from EAP/MLNG courses at the 1000 level or higher may count toward graduation requirements
- Achieve at least a 2.00 cumulative grade point average, a 2.00 grade point average in the major(s) and a 2.00 grade point average in the minor/certificate, or related elective credits.
- Complete Dept/Program specific academic and performance requirements.
- Complete at least 50% of the coursework for the major and 75% for the minor/certificate through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete 30 of the final 36 credits through Saint Louis University or an approved study abroad program.
- Complete an online degree application by the required University deadline.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Year One | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
ARTH 1010 | History of Western Art | 3 |
ART 2000-level (any) | Any Art course at the 2000 level | 3 |
CAS Core | 9 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ARTH pre-1800 1 | 3 | |
CAS Core | 9 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Two | ||
Fall | ||
ARTH pre-1800 2 | 3 | |
CAS Core | 9 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ARTH post-1800 2 | 3 | |
ARTH pre-1800 1 | 3 | |
CAS Core | 6 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Three | ||
Fall | ||
ARTH post-1800 | At the 3000 or 4000 level | 3 |
ARTH pre-1800 | At the 3000 or 4000 level | 3 |
CAS Core | 6 | |
Electives | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | ||
Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | ||
Islamic Art and Society | ||
Art of the African Diaspora | ||
Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | ||
Islamic Art and Society: Advanced Studies | ||
ARTH 4910 | Internship | 3 |
Electives | 9 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Year Four | ||
Fall | ||
ARTH 4900 | Research Methods | 3 |
ARTH pre-1800 or post-1800 1,2 | 3 | |
FA Core (Theatre, Music, Studio Art) 3 | 3 | |
Electives | 6 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ARTH pre-1800 or post-1800 1,2 | 3 | |
Electives | 12 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
1 | Courses on art produced pre-1800 |
2 | Courses on art produced post-1800 |
3 | All Art History majors must take a course outside of Art History that meets a Fine Arts core requirement. |
Program Notes
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Art Produced Pre-1800 | ||
ARTH 1080 | Masterpieces in Art | 3 |
ARTH 1090 | Global Masterpieces in Art | 3 |
ARTH 1500 | Life & Times of Michelangelo | 3 |
ARTH 2070 | Art and the Body | 3 |
ARTH 2100 | Art of Jerusalem and Three Faiths: Past and Present | 3 |
ARTH 2120 | Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | 3 |
ARTH 2140 | Islamic Art and Society | 3 |
ARTH 2150 | Saints in Art | 3 |
ARTH 2200 | Art in Rome | 3 |
ARTH 2300 | Ancient Art Survey | 3 |
ARTH 2320 | Art of the African Diaspora | 3 |
ARTH 2350 | Excavating Culture of 3 Faiths | 3 |
ARTH 2500 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy | 3 |
ARTH 2510 | High Renaissance Art in Italy | 3 |
ARTH 2600 | Baroque & Rococo Art Survey | 3 |
ARTH 3010 | Women in Art | 3 |
ARTH 3020 | Christian Iconography | 3 |
ARTH 3140 | Islamic Art and Society: Advanced Studies | 3 |
ARTH 3410 | Art of Cathedrals and Kings: Advanced | 3 |
ARTH 3500 | Early Renaissance Art in Italy-Advanced Studies | 3 |
ARTH 3510 | High Renaissance Art in Italy: Advanced Studies | 3 |
ARTH 3520 | Northern Renaissance Art | 3 |
ARTH 4930 | Special Topics: General | 3 |
Art Produced Post-1800 | ||
ARTH 1020 | History of Architecture | 3 |
ARTH 1080 | Masterpieces in Art | 3 |
ARTH 1090 | Global Masterpieces in Art | 3 |
ARTH 2020 | Sculpture in Saint Louis | 3 |
ARTH 2050 | Controversy in Art | 3 |
ARTH 2070 | Art and the Body | 3 |
ARTH 2120 | Survey of Art in Africa since Prehistory | 3 |
ARTH 2220 | Introduction to African-American Art | 3 |
ARTH 2320 | Art of the African Diaspora | 3 |
ARTH 2800 | Modern Art Survey | 3 |
ARTH 2820 | Contemporary Art Since 1980 | 3 |
ARTH 2700 | American Art: Colonial to WW II | 3 |
ARTH 2710 | American Art: WWII to the Present | 3 |
ARTH 2750 | Nineteenth Century Art | 3 |
ARTH 2800 | Modern Art Survey | 3 |
ARTH 2820 | Contemporary Art Since 1980 | 3 |
ARTH 3010 | Women in Art | 3 |
ARTH 3700 | American Art: Colonial to WWII: Advanced Studies | 3 |
ARTH 3710 | American Art World War II to the Present: Advanced Studies | 3 |
ARTH 3740 | American Art Between The World Wars | 3 |
ARTH 3805 | Twentieth Century Art | 3 |
ARTH 3880 | History of Photography | 3 |
ARTH 4800 | Contemporary Art | 3 |
ARTH 4850 | Religious Dimension in Mod Art | 3 |
ARTH 4910 | Internship | 6 |