CURRENT STUDENTS

Are you thinking about taking an art history course or majoring (or minoring) in art history? Click on a link below to find the answer to many of your questions.

Current Students

What are the requirements for graduating with a major or minor in art history, or a minor in archaeology?
Please utilize the following links for program specifics. We also suggest visiting the Humanities Counseling Office for detailed questions about requirements, degree checks, independent study petitions, grade changes, etc.

-- University Requirements
(General Education, Grade and Residency Requirements, etc.)

-- School of Humanities Requirements
(Departments, Foreign Language Requirements and Placement Testing, Honors, Resources)

-- Art History Requirements
(Specific Course Requirements, Resources)

-- UCI General Catalogue Home

How can I specialize in a particular area of art history?
Although art history does not require that you choose an interest of specialization If you have a special interest -- for example, architectural history, visual images of women, or Medieval art -- then be alert for courses that allow you to give yourself greater exposure to your area of interest. Here are some ways to tailor your art history education to your own needs and interests:

-- Electives: To graduate as an art history major, you will need to complete courses in a variety of specific areas of art history (see department requirements). Nevertheless, some of your required upper division art history courses are electives that you may choose freely among offered courses.

-- Seminars: Art history seminars are offered each year in a variety of subjects and you are free to select any of these for your seminar requirements.

-- Independent study: To study a specific topic that is not covered in any course or pursue a topic introduced in class in greater depth, you can arrange an independent study project with a faculty member. Look carefully at the areas of expertise of individual professors (see Art History Faculty), and make an appointment to see the one who seems to share your interest to discuss possibilities for an independent study project.

-- Other possibilities: Consider combining your art history major with a minor or double major with another department that allows you to add depth to your understanding of art. For example, if you want to study European art history, you might look at offerings in the History, Comparative Literature, European Studies or Classics.

What is the difference between seminars and other upper division courses?
Seminars are typically small (four to fifteen students), conversational, intensive courses for advanced undergraduates. Seminars do not usually involve exams, but you will do a lot of reading and are likely to gain experience participating in independent research on a specific topic and presenting your findings and analysis to the class. Some examples of recent seminars include: Rembrandt, Women in Chinese Art, Pop Art, The Parthenon, Postcolonial Art & Film, Marcel Duchamp, and Art & Nationalism.

How can I meet and become involved with other art history majors?
Art History students have organized into a club called the Art History Undergraduate Association or AHUA for short. They are recognized by and sometimes collaborate with the department.

A brief description of the club from the words of its organizers:
"We welcome Art History Majors and Minors to get involved. The Art History Undergraduate Association is a club that strives to organize and offer opportunities for greater campus involvement in the art world. We coordinate a variety of events to engage students with one another, as well faculty members, and familiarize them with Southern California art establishments. AHUA provides its members a means of communication with graduate students and faculty. We meet twice a quarter and congregate on and off campus periodically throughout the year. The relationships built through this network benefit and prepare Art History students for the future." (Taken from the facebook group.)

Check out and join AHUA's Facebook group to get in contact, view future events and chat with friends!

Can I take some of my art history courses abroad?
Yes you can! The Art History Department strongly encourages undergraduate participation in Education Abroad Programs. Studying abroad may greatly enhance your program in art history. Looking at a Buddhist sculpture in an American museum is no substitute for visiting the site of a Buddhist monastery and experiencing the relationship between the wooden buildings, carved images of deities, wall paintings, and surrounding landscape. Equally important is comprehension of languages used in the social context where the art was created.

-- Check out the UC Education Abroad Program or the UCI Travel Study Program for tailor made UC designed study abroad opportunities.

-- For specifics on how to study abroad while at UCI please visit the UCI Center for International Education online and in person today. Stop in to make an appointment with a counselor as soon as possible.

How do I petition a course for degree requirements, change a course grade or begin an independent study?
-- Course Petition
To petition a course from UCI, abroad or elsewhere outside the campus to count towards a degree requirement please follow these steps:
1. Obtain the required paperwork from the Humanities Counseling Office located in HIB 143 off of Ring Road or from the Art History Department office in HIB 85, down the steps from Ring Road.
2. Follow the instructions on the back. You will need to complete the form and attach a course syllabus.
3. Turn in the completed petition to the Art History Department office.
4. We will provide preliminary recommendation and then turn in the paperwork to the Dean's Office.
5. he Humanities Counseling Office will contact you about the approval of the proposal.

-- Independent Study Proposal
1. After finding a suitable faculty adviser, obtain the required paperwork from the Humanities Counseling Office located in HIB 143 off of Ring Road or from the Art History Department office in HIB 85, down the steps from Ring Road.
2. Follow the instructions on the back.
3. Have your faculty adviser sign an add card and paper work for you.
4. Bring the add card and completed paperwork to the Art History Department Office. We will issue you a course code and provide preliminary approval for the course.
5. Turn in your completed add card to the Registrar.
6. We will turn in the paperwork to the Dean's Office for you.
7. The Humanities Counseling Office will contact you about the approval of the proposal.
---- All steps must be completed by the end of Week 2 for the course to be approved.

-- Change of Grade
This can only be down by the faculty instructor. Please contact the instructor about this issue.

-- Add/Drop Course After Second Week
Please visit the Humanities Counseling Office located in HIB 143 off of Ring Road