Art History Lecture Room. Photograph by Zaria Montgomery
The purpose of the BA program in art, art history emphasis, is to provide students with the historical context necessary to understand and appreciate visual arts as a transformative experience that is influenced by and influences humanity. The department has two full-time art historians whose specializations cover the expanse of multiple art genres, movements, styles, theories, and methodologies necessary to design and deliver a comprehensive curriculum that extends from the Antiquities to Contemporary periods.
The Art History Program also offers students the unique opportunity to participate in the annual Arkansas College Art History Symposium. The Symposium is a collaborative effort of several Arkansas universities and colleges that gives students a chance to present their own papers in a professional and academic atmosphere. It is held every spring in alternating locations.
Another opportunity for Art History students is the Art History Association (AHA), AHA is a student organization that promotes the study and appreciation of Art and Art History. Various activities include sponsoring trips to museums and galleries, participating in local public art events, and sponsoring public lectures by artists. For more information, see Student Organizations.
Degree Requirements
Art History Emphasis (45 hours of Art)
The program is 120 semester credit hours, including at least 40 upper-division credit hours. The program requires 45 hours of art (39 credit hours in art history and 6 credit hours in studio), 35 hours of UCA Core courses (the fine arts requirement is not required for art majors – completion of the major fulfills the requirement), 3 hours of foreign language at the 2000 level, and a minor. Art courses must follow a prerequisite structure. To fulfill the minimum required 120 hours needed for the degree, students may use 6 hours of foreign language prerequisites, if needed, and minor or elective courses, or a combination of these. See additional information about minors and foreign language prerequisites below.
In order to complete the state-mandated minimum number of hours for core requirements in general education, art majors are required to complete a Humanities course in either the Diversity category or in the Responsible Living category.
Links to Degree Planning
For additional information, including Sample Degree Plans and Check sheets for this and other of our degrees, please see Degree Check Sheets & Advising Tools
