B.A. in Art History

Art informs and deceives. It forces us to ask questions about art and about ourselves. What is art, and why is it important to human beings? Who creates art? What are the reasons and cognitive and technical processes for its existence? Do outsiders view a given work of art in the same manner as the work’s intended audience? Why do some observers perceive Marcel Duchamp's Bicycle Wheel as a remarkable work worthy of a place in New York’s Museum of Modern Art, while others see it as an overpriced stool with a bicycle wheel mounted on top?

With its wealth of archaeological sites, churches, museums, and contemporary art galleries, Rome offers an environment of unparalleled richness for the study of art and the human experience across time. John Cabot University's Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History emphasizes art-historical theories and analytic methods with a strong focus on the visual arts of Europe, the Mediterranean and North America. Given the University’s location at the geographical and temporal crossroads of Europe and the Mediterranean, the program places a strong emphasis upon the visual cultures of Rome and of Italy.   After an initial series of four foundation courses, majors develop their command of art history and its approaches through upper-level courses in a variety of pertinent subject areas. The major culminates in the fourth year, when each student selects a topic and works individually with a specialized faculty member to research and write a senior thesis. Students can win internships at institutions that include the Museo Nazionale Romano, the Galleria Doria Pamphilj, and the Biblioteca Angelica, Europe’s first public library and a major repository of illuminated manuscripts.

The faculty consists of internationally recognized scholars strongly committed both to teaching and to research. The faculty members are active in their fields and often involve students in their research endeavors. Earning a bachelor’s degree in art history can constitute the first step toward a fascinating career in the field—for example, as a college professor, a museum or gallery curator, a museum educator, or a cultural officer in the diplomatic corps. The skills gained through art historical training, especially analytic and critical thinking and effective writing, offer outstanding preparation for careers in law, journalism, marketing, media, secondary education and many other creative vocations.

Requirements for the Degree

A. The Proficiency Requirements of the University in English, Mathematics and Foreign Language.

B. The General Distribution Requirements of the University in English, Mathematics and Science, Social Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts (many of the Humanities and Fine Arts requirements will be satisfied by the core curriculum courses below).

C. Core Curriculum
The core courses are aimed to provide the student with a solid foundation for the study of art history and prepare the student for their Senior Thesis.

1. AH 141 World Art I. Visual Culture from the Stone Age to Late Antiquity
2. AH 142 World Art II. Visual Culture of the Medieval World
3. AH 143 World Art III. Visual Culture of the Renaissance and Baroque World
4. AH 144 World Art IV. Visual Culture of the Modern and Contemporary World
5. AH 240 Introduction to Art-Historical Thinking
6. Three 200- or 300-level Art History courses in three of the four areas
     i. Ancient Greco-Roman
     ii. Late Antique, Medieval, Byzantine
     iii. Renaissance, Baroque and 18thC
     iv. Modern and Contemporary
7. One Studio Art course (100-300 level)
8. AH 460 Research Practicum
9. AH480 Senior Thesis

The University requires an overall minimum grade point average of 2.00 in all courses taken at the University, with no more than two grades lower than C- in core courses.

D. Major Electives
Six major electives of which at least three 300-level AH classes. Students may take up to three 200 or 300-level courses in other relevant disciplines with the approval of the advisor and the Dean.

E. General Electives sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.