Emory University, nestled in the vibrant city of Atlanta, stands as a beacon of academic excellence, particularly within its robust liberal arts curriculum. For students with a fervent passion for visual culture, critical inquiry, and the intricate narratives woven through human creativity, the Art History major at Emory offers an unparalleled journey of discovery. It’s a discipline that transcends mere appreciation, delving into the socio-political, economic, and philosophical contexts that shape art across millennia and continents.
This comprehensive article aims to illuminate the intricate tapestry of requirements for Emory University’s Art History major, providing prospective and current students alike with a detailed roadmap. From foundational courses to advanced seminars, language proficiency to experiential learning, we’ll explore the multifaceted demands designed to cultivate sophisticated visual literacy, rigorous analytical skills, and a profound understanding of art’s enduring impact on human civilization.
The Emory Art History Department: A Vibrant Hub of Inquiry
At the heart of Emory’s Art History program lies a commitment to interdisciplinary exploration, critical thinking, and global perspectives. Housed within the Department of Art History, this major benefits immensely from its close ties with the Michael C. Carlos Museum, a world-class university museum located right on campus. The Carlos Museum serves as an invaluable teaching tool, providing direct access to original artworks from ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, the Near East, Africa, and the Americas, as well as European and American prints and drawings. This immediate proximity to a diverse collection significantly enriches the learning experience, transforming theoretical concepts into tangible encounters.
The faculty comprises distinguished scholars whose research spans a wide array of specializations, from medieval illuminated manuscripts and Renaissance portraiture to modern and contemporary art, photography, architecture, and global art histories. Their diverse expertise ensures a rich and varied curriculum, challenging students to think broadly and deeply about visual culture.
Navigating the Major: Core Academic Requirements
The Art History major at Emory is structured to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the discipline, blending foundational knowledge with opportunities for specialization and advanced research. While specific course numbers and credit hour requirements are subject to change and should always be verified with the most current Emory College of Arts and Sciences catalog, the general framework remains consistent.
Typically, the Art History major requires approximately 36-40 credit hours, translating to about 10-12 courses beyond the introductory level. This structure ensures sufficient depth and breadth for a rigorous liberal arts education.
1. Foundational Courses (100-200 Level)
The journey begins with foundational courses designed to introduce students to the vast scope of art history and equip them with essential analytical tools. These courses often serve as prerequisites for upper-level seminars and are crucial for building a strong base.
- Introductory Surveys (e.g., ARTHIST 101, 102, 103): These courses typically cover broad chronological periods or geographical regions, such as "Introduction to Western Art from Antiquity to the Renaissance," "Introduction to Western Art from the Renaissance to the Present," or "Global Art History." They introduce key art historical terms, concepts, methodologies, and major monuments, laying the groundwork for more specialized study. Students are often required to take at least two of these survey courses to ensure a broad historical and geographical understanding.
- Visual Culture and Theory (e.g., ARTHIST 200-level): Some programs may require or recommend an early course focused on visual culture, art historical methods, or critical approaches to images. This helps students develop the critical lens necessary to analyze art beyond mere description.
2. Geographic and Chronological Distribution Requirements
To ensure a well-rounded art historical education, Emory emphasizes exposure to diverse artistic traditions across different periods and regions. Students are typically required to take a certain number of courses that fulfill specific distribution criteria. This prevents over-specialization too early and fosters a global perspective on art. Common distribution categories include:
- Ancient Art: Art of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East.
- Medieval Art: Art from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance.
- Renaissance and Baroque Art: European art from approximately the 14th to the 18th centuries.
- Modern and Contemporary Art: Art from the 19th century to the present, often including photography and new media.
- Art of the Americas: Pre-Columbian, North American, and Latin American art.
- Art of Africa, Asia, and Oceania: Non-Western artistic traditions.
Students are usually required to take courses from at least three or four of these distinct areas, ensuring a comprehensive engagement with global visual culture. This requirement is vital for developing an understanding of how art interacts with diverse cultural, religious, and political systems.
3. Upper-Level Seminars (300-400 Level)
The core of the Art History major lies in its upper-level seminars, which delve deeply into specific topics, periods, or artists. These courses are typically smaller, fostering intensive discussion, critical analysis, and original research.
- Specialized Topics Courses (e.g., ARTHIST 300-level): These seminars focus on particular movements (e.g., "Impressionism and Post-Impressionism"), themes (e.g., "Art and Gender"), or regions (e.g., "Art of the Islamic World"). They require students to engage with primary and secondary sources, develop sophisticated arguments, and often involve significant research papers or presentations.
- Methods and Historiography (e.g., ARTHIST 390): A crucial requirement for many art history programs, this course examines the theoretical frameworks and methodologies used by art historians. It explores the evolution of the discipline, different critical approaches (e.g., formalism, iconography, feminism, post-colonialism), and the challenges of interpreting visual evidence. This course is essential for preparing students for advanced research and critical engagement with scholarly literature.
4. The Senior Capstone Experience (ARTHIST 490/495)
The culmination of the Art History major is often a senior capstone experience, typically a senior seminar or an honors thesis. This requirement provides students with the opportunity to synthesize their knowledge, apply advanced research skills, and contribute original scholarship to the field.
- Senior Seminar (e.g., ARTHIST 490/495): This intensive, research-driven seminar serves as the capstone for most majors. Students select a research topic, conduct extensive primary and secondary source research, and write a substantial, original research paper (often 20-30 pages or more). The seminar also involves presentations and peer critiques, honing students’ communication and scholarly presentation skills.
- Honors Program (ARTHIST 499): Highly motivated students with strong academic records may opt to pursue an Honors thesis. This involves an even more intensive, year-long research project conducted under the guidance of a faculty advisor, culminating in a thesis defense. The Honors program is excellent preparation for graduate studies.
5. Foreign Language Proficiency
A critical, often overlooked, requirement for Art History majors is foreign language proficiency. While not always a direct departmental requirement for the major itself, it is an implicit necessity and often a general university requirement for graduation. For Art History, language skills are invaluable for several reasons:
- Access to Primary Sources: Many foundational art historical texts, artists’ writings, and archival documents are in languages other than English (e.g., Italian, French, German for European art; Mandarin for Chinese art).
- Study Abroad: Language proficiency greatly enhances the study abroad experience, allowing for deeper cultural immersion and more meaningful engagement with local resources.
- Graduate School Preparation: Nearly all top-tier art history graduate programs require proficiency in at least two research languages.
- Career Advancement: For careers in museums, archives, or international art markets, language skills are a significant asset.
Students are typically expected to demonstrate proficiency up to the intermediate level (e.g., through coursework, AP/IB scores, or a placement exam) in at least one foreign language relevant to their art historical interests.
6. GPA and Academic Standing
Students must maintain a satisfactory GPA (typically 2.0 or higher) in all courses counting towards the major, and a minimum overall GPA, as per Emory College’s academic policies, to remain in good standing and graduate with the Art History major.
Beyond the Classroom: Enriching the Art History Experience
Emory’s Art History program extends far beyond lecture halls and seminar rooms, offering a wealth of opportunities for experiential learning and professional development.
1. The Michael C. Carlos Museum
As mentioned, the Carlos Museum is an indispensable resource. Art History majors have unparalleled access to its collections, often working directly with curators, conservators, and educators. The museum offers:
- Internships: Hands-on experience in various museum departments (collections management, conservation, education, exhibitions, development).
- Research Opportunities: Direct engagement with objects for class projects or independent research.
- Lectures and Events: A continuous stream of visiting scholars, artists, and museum professionals provides exposure to current scholarship and diverse perspectives.
2. Internship Opportunities
Beyond the Carlos Museum, Atlanta’s vibrant arts scene offers numerous internship possibilities. Students can gain practical experience at institutions such as:
- High Museum of Art: Atlanta’s premier art museum, offering a wide range of departmental internships.
- Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA): Focuses on contemporary design and architecture.
- Atlanta Contemporary Art Center: Showcases cutting-edge contemporary art.
- Local Galleries and Auction Houses: Opportunities to learn about the art market.
- Conservation Labs and Archives: Hands-on experience with art preservation and documentation.
These internships are invaluable for career exploration, networking, and applying classroom knowledge in professional settings.
3. Study Abroad Programs
Art history is inherently global, and studying abroad is often considered an essential component of the major. Emory offers and approves various programs that allow students to immerse themselves in the art and culture of different regions. Popular destinations for Art History majors include:
- Rome and Florence, Italy: For classical, Renaissance, and Baroque art.
- Paris, France: For Impressionism, modern art, and museum studies.
- London, England: For diverse museum collections, British art, and auction houses.
- Berlin, Germany: For modern and contemporary art, and architectural history.
- Programs in Asia, Africa, or Latin America: For non-Western art historical contexts.
Studying abroad provides direct encounters with masterpieces in their original contexts, offers unique course offerings, and fosters a global perspective crucial for the discipline.
4. Undergraduate Research and Honors
Beyond the senior capstone, Emory encourages and supports undergraduate research. Students can pursue independent study projects with faculty mentorship, apply for research grants, or present their work at undergraduate conferences. The Honors program (ARTHIST 499) allows top students to undertake significant, independent research culminating in a thesis.
5. Student Organizations and Events
The Art History Department often sponsors student organizations (e.g., an Art History Association) that organize events, museum visits, guest lectures, and social gatherings, fostering a strong sense of community among majors.
Advising and Career Paths
Emory’s Art History faculty are dedicated mentors, providing individualized advising to help students navigate their academic requirements, explore research interests, and plan for post-graduate life. The skills cultivated through an Art History major are highly transferable and open doors to diverse career paths:
- Museums and Galleries: Curators, educators, registrars, conservators, collections managers, exhibition designers, development officers.
- Academia: Professors, researchers (often requiring graduate degrees: MA, PhD).
- Art Market: Auction house specialists, art dealers, art advisors, appraisers.
- Arts Administration: Working for non-profit arts organizations, cultural institutions, or government arts agencies.
- Publishing and Journalism: Art critics, editors, writers for art publications.
- Law: Especially in areas like art law, intellectual property, and cultural heritage.
- Education: Teaching art history at secondary school or college levels.
- Marketing and Communications: Leveraging visual literacy and analytical skills in various industries.
The rigorous training in research, critical thinking, visual analysis, written communication, and cross-cultural understanding makes Art History majors highly adaptable and sought-after professionals in a wide array of fields.
Declaring the Major: A Simple Step
For students who discover their passion for Art History, declaring the major is a straightforward process. Typically, students declare their major in their sophomore year, though it can be done earlier or later. The process usually involves:
- Meeting with a faculty advisor in the Art History Department to discuss interests and plan coursework.
- Completing a formal declaration form through the Emory College of Arts and Sciences.
This initial meeting is an excellent opportunity to get personalized guidance and learn more about departmental resources.
Conclusion: A Rich and Rewarding Intellectual Pursuit
Emory University’s Art History major offers a deeply enriching and intellectually stimulating educational experience. Its comprehensive requirements are meticulously designed to transform students into sophisticated interpreters of visual culture, equipped with a profound understanding of historical contexts, theoretical frameworks, and critical methodologies.
Beyond the specific courses and credit hours, the major cultivates invaluable skills: visual literacy, rigorous research, analytical thinking, persuasive writing, and cross-cultural communication. Coupled with the unparalleled resources of the Michael C. Carlos Museum, robust internship opportunities, and a strong emphasis on global engagement through study abroad, an Art History degree from Emory prepares graduates not only for specialized careers within the arts but also for success in a world increasingly reliant on visual communication and nuanced understanding. For those ready to embark on a journey through the compelling narratives of human creativity, Emory’s Art History major stands as an exceptional choice.
