Art History has a distinguished heritage as a field of cultural, social, and intellectual history in the Humanities. Works of art and architecture are tangible documents that need to be assessed on their own merits and, simultaneously, as reflections of the human experience. The Art History Major is an exploration of the visual arts, past and present, as forms of communication which are shaped by the physical, cultural, political, psychological and/or economic contexts in which the work of art or architecture was made. Our field seeks to understand works of art and architecture and their meanings on many levels.<br><br>Art History majors study the visual arts, past and present, as forms of communication that are shaped by physical, cultural, political, psychological and economic contexts. Our majors are guided through a curriculum that provides historical and geographic breadth in the history of art and an introduction to studio art practice. In small, discussion-based courses our majors master the critical reading, writing and speaking skills that will prepare them to successfully navigate our media-rich world.