Art History

Appreciate the past to communicate the future.

Art History Degree

Studying art history provokes a deep understanding of our collective consciousness and world influences. From the ancient cave drawings at Altamira to Banksy’s street art, humans rely on art to communicate their vision of themselves and their world. Take this journey with Susquehanna faculty, who will share their scholarly expertise in visual analysis, critical thinking and research to enrich your analytical skills and help you interconnect the world of art.

You will gain new perspectives from art history classes that address contemporary issues such as economics, politics, diversity, gender studies and social justice. You can double major or add a minor in studio art, museum studies, anthropology, foreign languages or environmental studies. In addition to having access to nearby major art cities such as New York City, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Susquehanna makes study abroad easy and affordable, where you can explore art in historied world settings.

Imagine presenting a paper at a conference. Or manage an exhibition as you run the Lore Degenstein Gallery on campus as a paid employee or intern. You will be ready to step right into a professional career in and outside of the arts, working in museums, galleries or educational and cultural institutions, or pursue graduate studies.

DISCOVER THE WORLD OF VISUAL CREATION AT SUSQUEHANNA

Take a brief tour of the Department of Art and Design from our passionate values to our students’ active learning experiences.

Watch Now

A person with braided hair is painting a green stroke on paper at a desk, inspired by a reference picture of colorful artwork reminiscent of Art History. A small palette with paint is visible on the table.

50%

of majors participate in regional and national art history and humanities conferences

100%

of majors and minors lead tours of curated and traveling contemporary art exhibitions at the Lore Degenstein Gallery

100%

of students gain professional experience through internships

99%

of students receive financial aid through academic merit scholarships and need-based grants

A person with short, brown hair smiles while leaning against a pillar. They wear a gray, short-sleeved shirt over a white top. The background features trees and a blurred outdoor setting with bright sunlight.

“I served as a curatorial intern at the Lori Degenstein Gallery on Susquehanna’s campus, allowing me to learn how to be a curator of a museum or a gallery. I got to create my own exhibition, which helped me learn about archival purposes, data, cataloging and how to design an exhibit, which is beneficial for my future career as a curator of a gallery.”

— Alayna Wenrich ’25

Anthropology

Art History

“I know that graduate school is in my future, and having time to work in the museum field through a fellowship will not only enrich my applications, but also me as an individual. After completing this fellowship, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in art history and continue working in museums, specifically within museum accessibility.”

— Alex Gabriel ’24

Art History

Plan Your Classroom

Program Resources

ARTH 101

Intro to World Art I: Prehist to 1400

A thematically structured introduction to diverse forms of creative expression, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, devotional objects, performance, cultural artifacts, ritual sites and memorials, from cave paintings to across the ancient world, including Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Emphasizes dialogue across cultures and comparative visual analysis of art in context. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression.

ARTH 102

Intro to World Art II: 15th – 20th Cent

A thematically structured introduction to diverse forms of creative expression, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, devotional objects, performance, cultural artifacts, ritual sites and memorials, from the 15th to the 20th century and across the world, including Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe. Emphasizes dialogue across cultures and comparative visual analysis of art in context 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression.

ARTH 205

Greek and Roman Art

A survey of art and architecture of Ancient Greece (Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic) and Roman cultures. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression.

ARTH 215

History of Photography

A study of photography from its invention to the present day. Emphasizes the technical evolution of the medium and its various processes as well as the medium’s use in both documentary/scientific and fine arts contexts. 4 SH. CC: Team Intensive.

ARTH 300

Topics in Art

1-4

An intermediate-level survey of selected topics in the history of art. Topics may be drawn from such areas as American folk art, modern art, Medieval and Renaissance art. 4 SH.

ARTH 303

Socially Engaged Art Practice

Takes a thematic approach and examines the worldwide current of socially engaged art throughout the 20th century into the present, focusing on art practices from Europe, US, Latin America and India. Brings together theoretical approaches and methodologies from different disciplines. Emphasizes dialogue across cultures and comparative analysis of art in context. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. 4SH. CC: Diversity Intensive, Writing Intensive, Interdisciplinary.

ARTH 306

Renaissance Art History

A study of painting, sculpture, and architecture in Florence, Rome, and Venice from the late 13th to the 16th centuries. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression, Writing Intensive.

ARTH 307

Baroque Art History

A study of the impact of society and of the Renaissance on painting, sculpture, and architecture in 17th- and 18th-century Europe. 4SH. CC: Artistic Expression, Writing Intensive.

ARTH 310

Modernism and the Avante-Garde

Analyzes movements and manifestos that define the art of the avant-garde from post-impressionism in the 1880s to World War II in the 1940s. Explores the various “isms” in the context of social issues which effected change in artistic principles. Recommended for all art majors. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression, Writing Intensive.

ARTH 313

Women in Art

A study of the historic perception and the social history of the role of women in art: as artist, as subject of art, and as patron (audience) of art. Emphasizes exploration and debate over issues affecting present-day perceptions about the woman artist of the past and the future. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Same as WGST-313. 4 SH. CC: Artistic Expression, Diversity Intensive, Interdisciplinary, Writing Intensive.

ARTH 401

Independent Study

1-4

A tutorial course focusing on serious scholarship in art history. Includes writing an article designed for publication. Instructor will assist in topic selection and guide student efforts. Students may do research at major museums, galleries and significant libraries. 4 SH.

ARTH 403

Senior Thesis

Required capstone course for art history majors in their senior year. Students will work with art history faculty to develop a long paper. This may be based either on new research or be an expansion of a paper from a previous art history course. Prerequisite: Senior standing. 4 SH. Capstone.

ARTH 405

Internship

1-4

Art history majors, in lieu of a senior thesis, or art majors may take an internship in the senior year. Work with a museum, gallery or other art institution will provide valuable background experience. Internships may be broad or specific and will result in a special project. Museum interns may assist in selection of art for exhibition, communicate with lenders, prepare insurance and condition reports, write labels, install shows, or work on catalogues. Some interns work for the university’s Lore Degenstein Gallery. Studio art majors and graphic design majors may take internships with professional studios and/or graphic design firms.

ARTH 412

Contemporary Art

Critical issues in art from 1950 to the present, defined by radical changes in values for the art market, art criticism, and public taste. Lively presentations by students will support or contest recent art criticism, involving them in both analysis and debate. 4 SH. CC: Ethics Intensive.

When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s).

Learning Goals

Art History majors develop an awareness of art history worldwide, from prehistoric times to contemporary era, and gain extensive knowledge of at least one specific cultural period.
Art History majors reveal an understanding of art in context, as well as key theories and methodologies specific to the discipline.
Art History majors demonstrate critical thinking and visual analysis skills in written form.

Double-counting rules within the department of Art and Design

Students may double count 16 SH BA to BA;
Students may double count 8 SH department minor to BA or BFA;
Students may double count 4 SH department minor to department minor;
Students may not have a photography minor and a studio art major
Students may not have a BA and BFA within the department.

Double-counting restriction

Students in the Art and Design Department may, with department head approval, complete more than one major and/or minor in the department.

Departmental Honors

The department awards honors status for graduation for students receiving a 3.70 or higher GPA in the studio art, graphic design or art history major.

Off-Campus Study

Junior and senior studio art and art history majors are encouraged to spend a semester studying away from campus as part of the university’s GO program. Susquehanna studio art and art history majors have access to art centers all over Europe, particularly in London, Florence, the south of France and Paris. A liberal arts program at Regent’s College in London is one of the special programs available to art majors. Others may choose extended off-campus study in New York or Washington, D.C. This experience enriches the artistic spirit and opens up avenues for future careers. Students with modern language interests can combine language and art studies abroad.

Art History, Studio Art and Graphic Design Internships

The department encourages its majors to complete internships, which provide a valuable introduction to the professional art world. Studio art and art history majors typically complete internships at museums and galleries, while graphic design majors are expected to pursue internships at design firms, publishing houses and advertising agencies. All students may receive major credit for approved internships.

Requirements for the Major in Art History

The Bachelor of Arts in art history requires 48 semester hours in art history and studio art with grades of C- or better.

12 Art History Requirements

4 ARTH-101 Introduction to World Art I: Prehistory to 1400
4 ARTH-102 Introduction to World Art II: 15^th to 20^th Century
4 ARTH-403 Senior Thesis

28 Art History Electives

Choose elective art history courses selected with faculty adviser guidance (may include internship or independent study credit)

8 Studio Art Electives:

Choose two studio art courses (ARTS-111 Foundations of Art I and a photography course are recommended)

Reading knowledge of a second language is helpful for undertaking research in non-English scholarship.

Minor in Art History

The minor in art history requires 20 semester hours of art history courses with a grade of C- or above. Required courses include ARTH-101, ARTH-102 and three additional art history courses.

Museum curatorship
Gallery management
UX/marketing
Appraisal
Content creation

Students study confluence of art and activism

Art history is one of the many disciplines that can be a powerful force for change. In a world brimming with debates on civil rights, war and social issues, art activism emerges as a transformative tool. Discover how Alex Gabriel ’24 and Morgan Hough ’24 dive into the depths of art activism, examining its evolution that shapes our modern society.