{"id":33,"date":"2026-06-04T12:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T16:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/?page_id=33"},"modified":"2026-07-30T09:51:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:51:29","slug":"curriculum","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/curriculum\/","title":{"rendered":"Curriculum"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-art-history-b-a\">Art History, B.A.<\/h1>\n\n\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><nav class=\"is-responsive wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Art History menu\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/navigation\" data-wp-context='{\"overlayOpenedBy\":{\"click\":false,\"hover\":false,\"focus\":false},\"type\":\"overlay\",\"roleAttribute\":\"\",\"ariaLabel\":\"Menu\"}'><button aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-label=\"Open menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-open\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.openMenuOnClick\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M4 7.5h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><path d=\"M4 15h16v1.5H4z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"menu-title\">Art History menu<\/span><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container\" id=\"modal-1\" data-wp-class--has-modal-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-class--is-menu-open=\"state.isMenuOpen\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.initMenu\" data-wp-on--keydown=\"actions.handleMenuKeydown\" data-wp-on--focusout=\"actions.handleMenuFocusout\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-close\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-dialog\" data-wp-bind--aria-modal=\"state.ariaModal\" data-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.ariaLabel\" data-wp-bind--role=\"state.roleAttribute\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button aria-label=\"Close menu\" class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-close\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.closeMenuOnClick\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"m13.06 12 6.47-6.47-1.06-1.06L12 10.94 5.53 4.47 4.47 5.53 10.94 12l-6.47 6.47 1.06 1.06L12 13.06l6.47 6.47 1.06-1.06L13.06 12Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-navigation__responsive-container-content\" data-wp-watch=\"callbacks.focusFirstElement\" id=\"modal-1-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container is-responsive wp-block-navigation\"><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Overview<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/curriculum\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Curriculum<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/capstone-and-honors\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Capstone and honors<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/study-abroad\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Study abroad<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/careers-2\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">Careers<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><\/nav>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-curriculum\">Curriculum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:45rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-you-ll-study\">What you\u2019ll study<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default\">In your first year, you\u2019ll explore the field and develop your eye. As a sophomore, you\u2019ll start moving into seminars and deeper engagement with specific periods. Junior year \u2014 when many students also study abroad \u2014 is a time for independent research and writing for public audiences. Senior year brings the capstone and, for students with a 3.4 GPA or higher, the option to pursue a two-semester honors thesis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default\">As an art history major, you\u2019ll complete at least 11 courses \u2014\u00a0ten in art history and one in studio art. The program offers courses in ancient, medieval, Renaissance\/Baroque, Modern and Contemporary, and non-Western art. You&#8217;ll take courses across all of these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-yellow-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-core-courses\">Core courses<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Every art history major completes a series of core courses from first year through senior capstone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ways of Seeing (ARTH 101)<\/strong> \u2014 Learn how art historians look, describe, and question. An essential foundation for the major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Public Art History in Worcester (ARTH 201)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 Bring art historical thinking to bear on public life in a city with a rich and complicated cultural history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>V&amp;PA Capstone (VAPA 290)<\/strong>&nbsp;\u2014 Your senior year culminates in independent research, scholarly writing, and professional presentation.<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-gray-800-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.clarku.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=35&amp;poid=7060&amp;returnto=2879&amp;_gl=1*1713yr5*_gcl_au*NTQzNzY1MjQyLjE3NDg5NjkzMjc.#majorrequirements\">Catalog<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-gray-800-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/catalog.clarku.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=35&amp;poid=7060&amp;returnto=2879#IArtHistoryCourses\">Courses<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button has-custom-width wp-block-button__width-100\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-deep-red-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/curriculum-and-careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/67\/Art-History-Major-Map.pdf\">Major map<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\" id=\"h-featured-courses\">Featured courses<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-grid wp-block-group-is-layout-grid clarku_cl_cards clarku-post-filter-grid \">\t \n<div class=\"clarku-course\">\n\t<figure>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/abbie-hart-at-wam-300x200.jpg\" class=\"clarku-block-card-img clarku-block-card-img-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"Abbie Hart at the Worcester Art Museum\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/abbie-hart-at-wam-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/abbie-hart-at-wam-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/abbie-hart-at-wam.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t<div class=\"course-tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ct pill diversity-inclusion\" title=\"Diversity &amp; Inclusion\">D&I<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<div class=\"course-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eyebrow\">ARTH 120<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Byzantium, Orthodoxy, and the Medieval Mediterranean World<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p><p>This course will examine the art and architecture of Byzantium from the fourth to the fifteenth centuries as a chronological narrative inflected by interactions amongst the myriad cultures of the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n<div class=\"clarku-course\">\n\t<figure>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/mid-twentieth-century-modernism-art-300x200.jpg\" class=\"clarku-block-card-img clarku-block-card-img-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"mid twentieth century moderism art AfriCOBRA\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/mid-twentieth-century-modernism-art-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/mid-twentieth-century-modernism-art-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/mid-twentieth-century-modernism-art.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t<div class=\"course-tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<div class=\"course-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eyebrow\">ARTH 143<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art from 1940 to 1970: Modernism and Its Discontents<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p><p>This course traces the disintegrating confidence of mid-twentieth-century modernism, examining how movements like neo-Dadaism, pop art, minimalism, land art, and AfriCOBRA critiqued modernism and postwar society.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \n<div class=\"clarku-course\">\n\t<figure>\n\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/ancient-americas-art-architecture-300x200.jpg\" class=\"clarku-block-card-img clarku-block-card-img-full wp-post-image\" alt=\"Art and Architecture of the Ancient Americas\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/ancient-americas-art-architecture-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/ancient-americas-art-architecture-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/11\/ancient-americas-art-architecture.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t<div class=\"course-tags\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ct pill diversity-inclusion\" title=\"Diversity &amp; Inclusion\">D&I<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/figure>\n\t<div class=\"course-content\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"eyebrow\">ARTH 234<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art and Architecture of the Ancient Americas<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p><p>Through case studies and field trips to local museums, you\u2019ll examine how certain societies of the early Americas created objects and buildings that gave meaning to their sense of self, community, and world.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<aside id=\"art-history-minor\" class=\"wp-block-group boxout has-light-warm-gray-background-color has-background is-content-justification-left is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-12dd3699 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-minor-requirements\">Minor requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All courses and seminars in this program are open to nonmajors. Students whose major lies in another discipline may minor in art history. 6 courses are required for the art history minor.&nbsp; Students must earn a grade of C+ or better in all courses contributing to the Art History Minor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ARTH 101&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Ways of Seeing&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>5 area courses. Courses are offered in the following areas: Ancient\/Medieval; Renaissance\/ Baroque; Modern\/Contemporary; Non-Western. Students should take no more than 3 courses in one area, and a total of 2 courses must be at the 200 level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Curriculum What you\u2019ll study In your first year, you\u2019ll explore the field and develop your eye. As a sophomore, you\u2019ll start moving into seminars and deeper engagement with specific periods. Junior year \u2014 when many students also study abroad \u2014 is a time for independent research and writing for public audiences. Senior year brings the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":24,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-33","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.1 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Curriculum | Department of Visual and Performing Arts | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/curriculum\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Curriculum\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Curriculum What you\u2019ll study In your first year, you\u2019ll explore the field and develop your eye. As a sophomore, you\u2019ll start moving into seminars and deeper engagement with specific periods. Junior year \u2014 when many students also study abroad \u2014 is a time for independent research and writing for public audiences. Senior year brings the [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/curriculum\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Department of Visual and Performing Arts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ClarkUniversityWorcester\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-30T13:51:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@clarkuniversity\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"2 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Curriculum | Department of Visual and Performing Arts | Clark University","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/visual-and-performing-arts\/academics\/art-history-ba\/curriculum\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Curriculum","og_description":"Curriculum What you\u2019ll study In your first year, you\u2019ll explore the field and develop your eye. 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