PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Sacramento State Art History curriculum provides a full range of courses in Western and non-Western art, criticism, and visual culture from pre-history to the present and from many perspectives, formal and contextual. Faculty members hold advanced degrees from a variety of distinguished universities. Each offers undergraduate surveys as well as upper-division courses in his or
her particular field of expertise. Lecture/discussion classes, seminars, independent studies, fieldwork, and studio courses produce college-level visual literacy, multicultural awareness, art historical skills (research, writing, traditional methods, visual analysis and synthesis, critical thinking), and understanding of art making practices. Students focus on an area of interest, which is enriched by electives from outside art history in areas such as anthropology, history, and humanities and religious studies. Art History is available as both a minor and, effective Fall 2004, as a concentration in the Art major. Art History courses also are taken by students majoring in entirely different subjects, and can be used towards the majors in Graphic Design, Interior Design, and Photography. Some lower division courses in Art History and Art Appreciation can be used to fulfill General Education requirements. The Art History concentration is ideal for students who seek an interdisciplinary liberal arts education that also develops their visual talents and inspires appreciation for human creativity across time and place. The art history degree affords a broad education as well as practical preparation for a wide range of future vocations and advanced professional studies. This is especially true for the many careers in the arts, such as artist, designer, architect, teacher, art writer, publicist, agent, consultant, museum curator, gallery director, or public arts administrator. Knowledge of the arts combines well with education in a second area, such as business and law. Students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in art history benefit from the close supervision of a mentor-professor who helps prepare them for graduate studies. Field experience can be arranged with the Crocker Museum of Art, California State Archives, California Arts Council, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, and other public and private art institutions in the Capital region. The Art Department and three student art clubs sponsor numerous exhibitions, lectures and events that bring exciting local, national, and international artists and art professionals to campus. The CSUS School of the Arts has created a forum for inter-arts education with the collaboration of the four departments of Art, Design, Music, and Theater /Dance. Opportunities to study art history abroad are available through the Office of Global Education at CSUS and the California State University International Program. University credit can be obtained for a semester to a year of study at colleges and international centers in Britain, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
