Students will learn to think critically about art and its history, including the ability to discern the implication of concepts like “masterpiece,†to understand how “high art†and “popular culture†interact, to discover why strategies of exhibition and display influence our perception of art, and to determine how issues of identity (race, gender, sexuality, class, etc.) inform the history of art and art production.
- Interests and Skills
Art History students are typically interested in studying works of art as representative of certain historical periods, learning the skills of formal analysis, understanding the social production of art, and discovering the role that museums and art galleries play in our contemporary culture. High school preparation may include some classes in studio art or art history, but these are not necessary for entrance into the major.
- Degree Options
An art history student graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History degree. Students may then choose to continue their education and pursue a Master of Arts degree in art history with the possibility of ultimately pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in art history.
- Career Opportunities
The BA in Art History degree provides the student with the knowledge of art history required for employment in related fields, such as art librarianship, K-12 art instruction, and museum and gallery work. Students interested in pursuing a career in the fields of museum curatorial work and university-level teaching will need to continue studies at the graduate level.
- Types of Jobs Accepted
Recipients of the Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Alabama accepted jobs in a variety of fields, including various public arts organizations, museums, public and private art galleries and K - 12 education. Many continue in higher education and have been accepted into the graduate programs of City University of New York, Emory University, Kansas University, Texas University, Florida State University, University of Alabama, and many other institutions of higher learning.