Art History

Program Description

Satisfy your curiosity and learn how art and culture intersect through the University of Utah’s Art History program. Art history is the study of the artistic endeavors of peoples around the globe, and professional art historians seek to understand the context of art: why art and architecture are made and how they relate to historical and cultural circumstances. In recent years, the discipline of art history has expanded from a narrow study of the fine arts to the wider and more inclusive fields of visual and material culture. The Art History curriculum introduces students to these topics through lectures and seminars. Your coursework will cover topics such as visual analysis and critical thinking, as well as the art and history of specific cultures and geographic locations. The culminating capstone experience is a seminar class that allows you to apply your analytical and research skills to a select art history theme or area. Art history is an exciting field, especially in recent years: feminist, postmodern, postcolonial, and contemporary perspectives are all reinvigorating art historical writing today.

Learn more about the BA in Art History here. 

The Student Experience

Students wishing to enrich their academic studies may complete an undergraduate research project or internship, allowing them to pursue an area of interest at a deeper level. You can also complete a study abroad program, studying the culture, art, and art history of a current or past civilization. Outside of the classroom, be sure to network and plan for your future by joining ArtsForce, a student-led initiative to offer workshops, events, and career advice to College of Fine Arts majors and minors.

Career Opportunities

With your degree in Art History, you will be well-suited to a career in either the public or private sector. The skills in visual analysis and interpretation that you learned will be appealing to museums, art galleries, libraries, historical societies, arts councils, publishers, auction houses, and educational facilities. Become an estate or art appraiser, film or television producer, freelance writer, graphic designer, or teacher. If you decide to pursue an advanced degree, you can become a professor, librarian, curator, museum or university administrator, or lawyer.

More Info

• Department of Art & Art History
• College of Fine Arts
• Department Advising
• College of Fine Arts Career Coaching

Catalog

• Art History BA
• Art History Minor

Exploratory Classes

• ARTH 2500 - Intro to the History of Art and Visual Culture