Declaring the Major | Progressing in the Major
Description of the Major
Art History is a major offered by the School of Art & Art History, a program within the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
The school discerns five distinct goals for the teaching of art at JMU: 1) to prepare future professional artists and designers; 2) to educate future art historians and museum specialists with a global perspective on the visual arts; 3) to develop and license future elementary and secondary art teachers; 4) to enrich the general education of non-art majors; 5) to supply professional instruction in the visual arts for students who wish to enrich their education by studying art as a second major or minor.
The Art History major offers you the opportunity to study the history of the visual arts in their cultural and social context. Courses in western art (Western Europe and America) from ancient to modern times, as well as African Art and other selected non-western fields are regularly given. You will learn to describe, analyze, and interpret the form and content of works of art.
You will become familiar with art history theory and methods of analysis and art criticism. In addition, you will gain valuable experience in writing and researching in the field of art history. Art History majors are encouraged to participate in summer internship experiences in museums, historic houses, and galleries, and to take advantage of the year-round JMU Studies Abroad programs.
The art history program advocates interdisciplinary study in other humanistic disciplines and actively supports students who want to double major with other related fields. JMU art history faculty possess expertise in a wide variety of historical areas and enjoy working with students on independent studies, honors theses or exhibition projects.
Degrees Offered
B.A.
Concentrations
None
Minors
Art History
Declaring the Major
New Freshmen and Transfer Students
Declare the art history major when you register for orientation.
Currently Enrolled Major Changers
Submit a "Change or Declaration of Major” form to the School of Art and Art History in Duke Hall, room 215 and obtain the program director's signature.
Progressing in the Major
Remain in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.
