Bachelor of Arts in Art History
The Art History program at The American University of Rome provides a rigorous education focused on Western and neighboring visual cultures. The program stimulates the acquisition of knowledge and encourages critical thinking skills, creativity and cross-cultural understanding. The University’s international faculty of active scholars instructs small classes, many on-site in Rome and around Europe. Through interactive teaching and personal supervision the faculty develop each student’s intellectual potential and life-long engagement with cultural heritage and foster the skills necessary for the modern workplace.
Program Objectives
Students majoring in Art History will develop:
- Perceptual analysis of the visual arts.
- The ability to situate a work of art in its historical and cultural context.
- Critical method and research skills for historically informed reception.
- Effective oral and written communication skills within the context of the disciplines of Art History and the Humanities.
The Bachelor of Arts in Art History requires successful completion of 120 credits made up of a 40-credit General Education requirement, a 36 to 42 credit major and 38 to 44 credits of free electives. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of no less than 2.00 on a 4.00 scale, and earn at least a C grade (2.00) in all core requirements (21 credits). The major comprises core courses which emphasize the Western art tradition and Art History electives which may focus on Art Business.
Requirements for the Degree
A. The Proficiency in English, Mathematics and Italian Language
A note on proficiency requirements and placement examinations: All new first-year students are required to take placement examinations in mathematics and English. New transfer students are exempt from taking the examinations only if transfer credits in mathematics and/or English have been accepted by AUR. Italian language tests are given for students wishing to register for a course above ITL 101 (optional). The tests are given during orientation week preceding the start of each semester. The scores obtained will be used for English, mathematics and Italian placement.
B. General Education
- Foundational Skills: First Year Seminar; Writing Skills; Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning; Italian language; IT skills; Information Literacy; Oral Presentation Skills
- The Individual in a Multicultural Society; Three courses from a list in the Catalog
- United States Government and Society; One course from a list in the Catalog
- Roma Caput Mundi; One course from a list in the Catalog
C. Core Courses
- AH 101 Arts of Antiquity
- AH 102 Arts of Renaissance and Baroque
- AH 103 Arts of Modernity
- AH 299 Art for Art’s Sake: Seminar on Methodology
- An upper-level Art History course from section A (list in Catalog)
- An upper-level Art History course from section B (list in Catalog)
- AH 498 Capstone Experience (Seminar)
- AH 499 Capstone Experience (Thesis)
Art History Electives
Chosen from a list in the catalog. The number of credits varies depending upon whether students major in: Art History or Art History with Art Business.
Free Electives
Free electives can be used towards satisfying a minor, to supplement a major or to explore other academic areas. The number of free electives can vary according to the choices made but they should be sufficient to give a total of 120 credits.
