Bachelor of Arts in Art History
George Mason, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International student deadline is 1st of June of every year | Domestic student deadline is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 16,980 - out-of-state tuition full-time (12-15 credits); USD 1,803 - mandatory student fee
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
As an art history major at Mason, you'll investigate works of art to learn about how and why they were made, and about the people who made them. You'll study art as a form of personal expression and a record of its historical moment by understanding not only the artwork's aesthetic qualities, but also the way art influences and is influenced by culture, technology, and economics.
The expertise of our faculty extends to many world regions – the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Mediterranean, South and Southeast Asia, China, and the Islamic world – and overall historical periods. This major has flexible requirements and you will receive individualized attention to help you adapt your art history studies to your interests.
But perhaps the best reason to study art history at George Mason is that the world-famous collections of the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian Institutions are just 20 miles away. Dedicated teachers and scholars are eager to introduce you to the rich resources of the Washington, DC metropolitan region. We help you find internships at museums and cultural institutions such as the Freer and Sackler Galleries, the Phillips Collection, the Library of Congress and National Archives, community arts programs, auction houses, and commercial art galleries. You can enrich your major by studying abroad in places such as Florence, Rome, and London.
- Acquire visual analysis skills, including the understanding of formal elements, iconography, and historical context.
- Acquire visual literacy skills that are applicable to multiple disciplines or careers.
- Develop the ability to analyze technique, production, and artistic media within relevant historical contexts.
- Gain museum knowledge, including an understanding of the history, purpose, and function of museums as cultural and social institutions.
- Engage with the development, installation, and evaluation of exhibitions in the Curating course and our internship program.
- Develop research skills, including finding and using of a variety of primary and current secondary sources.
- Learn to critically read texts and assess textual and visual evidence.
- Enhance writing skills, including the crafting of an argument and mastering the mechanics of academic writing.
Our students go on to work in museums, arts institutions, and galleries, as well as in government and managerial positions. They also pursue further studies in fields including art history, library science, design technology, historic preservation, and fashion.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: minimum 120
All art history majors are encouraged to pursue internships in art history (ARTH 393 Art History Internships) in their junior or senior year. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in a study abroad program. Students contemplating graduate study in art history should acquire a reading knowledge of French, German, or other appropriate research languages in consultation with an advisor.
Core Courses in the Major
Select one 3-credit survey course from the following: 3
- ARTH 200 History of Western Art I (Mason Core)
- ARTH 201 History of Western Art II (Mason Core)
- ARTH 203 Survey of Asian Art (Mason Core)
- ARTH 204 Survey of Latin American Art (Mason Core)
- ARTH 394 The Museum (Mason Core) 3
- Select 15 credits from ARTH courses at the 300 level 1 15
Total Credits 21
400-Level ARTH Courses
Select 6 credits in ARTH at the 400 level or above: 6
- ARTH 400 Historiography and Methods of Research in Art History (Topic Varies)
- ARTH 420 Advanced Studies in Ancient Art
- ARTH 430 Advanced Studies in Medieval or Islamic Art
- ARTH 440 RS: Advanced Studies in Renaissance and Baroque Art
- ARTH 460 RS: Advanced Studies in 20th-Century European Art
- ARTH 471 Advanced Studies in Art of the United States
- ARTH 472 RS: Advanced Studies in 20th-Century Latin American Art
- ARTH 474 Advanced Studies in Contemporary Art
- ARTH 482 RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art
- ARTH 495 RS: Objects and Archives in Art History
- ARTH 499 Advanced Studies in Art History
Art and Visual Technology Course
Select one from the following: 3-4
- AVT 103 Introduction to the Artist's Studio (Mason Core)
- AVT 104 Two-Dimensional Design and Color (Mason Core)
- AVT 222 Drawing I (Mason Core)
- AVT 232 Painting I (Mason Core)
- AVT 243 Printmaking I (Mason Core)
- AVT 252 Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core)
- AVT 253 Digital Photography I (Mason Core)
- AVT 262 Sculpture I (Mason Core)
Total Credits 9-10
Elective in the Major
- Select one 3-credit elective from any art history course 3
Total Credits 3
Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in art history fulfill the university's writing-intensive requirement by successfully completing 3 credits in any 400-level ARTH course.
Upper-Level Requirement
Students seeking a bachelor’s degree must apply at least 45 credits of upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above) toward graduation requirements.
Mason Core
Some Mason Core requirements may already be fulfilled by the major requirements listed above. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their advisors to ensure they fulfill all remaining Mason Core requirements.
Foundation Requirements
- Written Communication (ENGH 101) 3
- Oral Communication 3
- Quantitative Reasoning 3
- Information Technology and Computing 3
Exploration Requirements
- Arts 3
- Global Understanding 3
- Literature 3
- Natural Science 7
- Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
- Western Civilization/World History 3
Integration Requirements
- Written Communications (ENGH 302) 3
- Writing-Intensive 3
- Synthesis/Capstone 3
Total Credits 40
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