The short version
- You do not need studio ability to major in art history.
- A 120-hour BA, with 54 hours in the major, plus a minor of your choice and a foreign language.
- You finish with a research seminar.
Art history is the study of art in the context where it was made, across periods and cultures. It connects to literature, science, philosophy, and history. You do not need studio ability to major in it.
The Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in art history is a flexible 120-hour degree. The 54-hour major pairs 27 hours of upper-level art history with foundation studio courses and a foreign language. You also complete a minor of your choice, and you finish with a research seminar.
Course flow
Arrows follow the requirements listed in the JSU catalog.
- ART 111 Survey of Art I
- ART 112 Survey of Art II
- ART 134 Drawing I
- ART 233 Design I
- ART 234 Drawing II
- ART 240 Design II
- Six hours of 100-level foreign language, both in the same language
Upper-level art history courses
These are the 300- and 400-level art history courses in the current catalog. Check with your advisor that a course counts toward your 27 hours.
| Course | Prerequisite |
|---|---|
| ART 374 19th Century Art History | EH 101, EH 102, ART 111, and ART 112 |
| ART 387 Modern Art | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 388 American Art | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 393 East Asian Art | Sophomore standing or permission of instructor |
| ART 395 Non-Western Art | Sophomore standing or permission of instructor |
| ART 399 Study Tour | None |
| ART 402 Graphic Design History | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 439 Special Topics in Art History | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 449 History of Photography | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 450 Art Theory | 3 hours of 300-level art history |
| ART 451 Modern Architecture | 6 hours of 100- or 200-level art history or permission of instructor |
| ART 484 Current New York Art Museum | None |
| ART 486 Internship in Museum Work | 12 hours of 300-level or higher art history |
The rest of the degree
| Requirement | Hours |
|---|---|
| Art history major, including the courses above | 54 |
| Jax MIX general education | 41 |
| Minor (any minor offered at JSU) and electives | to reach 120 |
| Degree total | 120 |
- At least 36 hours at the 300 or 400 level, counting the major and the minor.
- At least six hours of 300- or 400-level minor courses taken at JSU.
- A 2.00 GPA overall and at JSU, a 2.50 GPA in the major, and a C or better in every major and minor course.
Minor in art history
Students in other majors can minor in art history with 18 hours of 300- and 400-level art history. Art History minor in the catalog.
Source: JSU Catalog 2026-2027, Art History (Bachelor of Arts). Meet with your advisor every semester, and check the catalog year that applies to you.
