U-ART-AB - Art History (AB)

The major in art history requires at least eleven courses, eight of which must be at the 200-level or above. The following courses are required: one (1) Foundations (100-level) course, one (1) Visual Arts (practice-based) course, and two (2) upper-level (400-699-level) seminars. Students pursuing Graduation with Distinction take the Honors Thesis Workshop (Art History 495S) as one of the upper-level seminars. The remaining eight courses must be in at least four of the following five geographical areas, and one course in each of the three chronological periods: Europe and the Mediterranean, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, Middle East and Africa, Trans-cultural; Prehistoric-1200, 1200-1800, and 1800-present. Individual courses can fulfill both a Geographical and a Chronological requirement.

The requirements and prerequisites for the major can be satisfied by courses taken at other institutions or abroad, but no more than two courses taken away from Duke may count toward the major. Further courses are available for credit at North Carolina State University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Students planning to attend graduate school should consider taking two 500 to 699-level seminars: Art History 543S (Methodology of Art History), and a second seminar in the same field as a 200-level course already taken by the student. For example, Art History 255 (Art in Renaissance Italy), is a logical preparation for Art History 590S-4 (Topics in Italian Renaissance Art). Two years of a foreign language at the college level are strongly recommended.

Concentration in Architecture

Thirteen courses are required in four broad areas:

• Either Art History 491/493 or 492/494 on a subject approved by the concentration in architecture advisor, or a relevant 500-699-level seminar

• Seven additional courses in art history, including at least three of the following: Art History 225, 226, 258, 382, 285 or 286D, or topics courses that focus on space or architecture in visual and media studies or art history

• Two courses in the visual arts

• Three courses in mathematics, physics, and/or engineering courses that offer or require advanced math or physics skills (recommended courses include Mathematics 111L, 112L, and 212; Physics 141L or 142L; Civil and Environmental Engineering 311 or 411). Distribution requirements for the major must be fulfilled.

Concentration in Museum Theory and Practice

The concentration allows students insight into the nature and ideology of the museum as a cultural institution, while also providing hands-on experience, working closely with museum staff to gain essential career preparation. 

Students must take at least one of the following, preferably in their Junior year—Museum Theory and Practice (Art History 220); The Museum Object: Art and Artifacts on Display (Art History 221S). Students must also take Museum Internship 1 (Art History 310); and one of the following: Museum Internship 2 (Art History 311); Curatorial Practicum (Art History 455S); History and Theory of Curatorial Practice (Art History 222S). Those students who do not take both Art History 220 and Art History 221S must select two of the following courses: Art History 311, Art History 455S, Art History 222S. Students must take seven courses in Art History, including one (1) Foundations (100-level) course and at least one practice-based Visual Arts course. The two Wired! proseminars (Visual and Media Studies 580S and Visual and Media Studies 581S) and “The Lives of Things” (Visual and Media Studies 590) are recommended as offering opportunities to engage with digital technologies for museum installations and public outreach. Distribution requirements for the major must be fulfilled.