2021-2022 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art History & Museum Studies Major


The Art History & Museum Studies Program trains students in the history, visual literacy, critical thinking, research, and communication skills necessary to become ethical, forward-thinking leaders in the art world and beyond. Combining rigorous academic training with hands-on, professional experience, this program is designed to help students thrive in rewarding careers such as museum and art gallery administration, curating and art registration/collections management, arts education, business, law, development, public relations, project management, and more.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will:

  • Analyze a broad range of works of visual art and architecture in their aesthetic, historical, and/or cultural contexts
  • Develop persuasive art historical arguments in oral or written form using common disciplinary methodologies
  • Articulate critical roles that art and arts institutions can play in considering ethical issues and effecting positive social change
  • Apply skills and knowledge essential for successful professional patterns of behavior and practice in museums and arts organizations

Major Requirements (at least 48 units)


Major residency requirements:  Majors must complete at least one of the Survey of Western Art History courses on campus. At least three of the four required upper-division (300-level) seminars must be taken at USF.  Only one of the four required, upper-division seminar electives may be substituted with an upper-division art history course taken in an approved study abroad program, or with a 4-unit Honors College course taught by art history faculty.

Upper-Division Art History Electives (16 units)


Ancient & Medieval (4 units)


Choose at least ONE of the following:

Early Modern (4 units)


Choose at least ONE of the following:

Modern & Contemporary (8 units)


Choose at least TWO of the following:

Internships (4 units)


Must complete AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOLLOWING (for at least 4 units total). Internships are 1-4 variable units and are offered every semester & summer sessions; juniors & seniors only (with appropriate signature).

Honors Concentration requirements (8 units)


Sophomores with a 3.5 GPA in the major may apply for the Art History & Museum Studies Honors Concentration. Honors students complete at least an additional 8 units beyond the requirements of the major. One of these courses must be an additional upper-division seminar in the major: either an HONC seminar taught by AHMS faculty or an additional AHMS seminar (with a 15-20 page research paper assignment). The other course is 4 units of ART 398 - Directed Study/Research under close faculty mentorship that will result in a 4-unit honors thesis.