Art History and Archaeology

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Prof. Matthew McKelway, 919 Schermerhorn; 854-3182; mpm8@columbia.edu

Chair of Art Humanities: Prof. Stephen Murray, 605 Schermerhorn; 854-8521; sm42@columbia.edu

Student Coordinator: Chris Newsome, 826 Schermerhorn; 854-4505; cn2303@columbia.edu

Departmental Office: 826 Schermerhorn; 854-4505

• http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arthistory/

The goal of the major in the Department of Art History and Archaeology is to explore the history of art, architecture, and archaeology across a broad historical, cultural, geographic, and methodological spectrum. Department courses take advantage of the extraordinary cultural resources of New York City and often involve museum assignments and trips to local monuments. The department offers a major and concentration in art history and in the history and theory of architecture, and a combined major in art history and visual arts.

At the heart of the major is the Major's colloquium, which introduces different methodological approaches to art history and critical texts that have shaped the discipline. The colloquium also prepares students for the independent research required in seminars and advanced lecture courses, and should be taken during the junior year. Surveys and advanced lecture courses offered by Barnard and Columbia cover the spectrum of art history from antiquity to the present and introduce students to a wide range of materials and methodologies. Limited-enrollment seminars have a narrower focus and offer intensive instruction in research and writing. The opportunity for advanced research with a senior thesis is available to students who qualify. The major readily accommodates students who wish to study abroad during junior year. Courses taken at accredited programs can generally count as transfer credits toward the major, but students must gain the approval of the director of undergraduate studies. Similarly, any transfer credit for the major must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies. Generally no more than 12 points of transfer credit is applicable to the major. The form to petition for transfer credit can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arthistory/pdf/transfer_course_form.pdf. Courses taken at Reid Hall and through the Berlin Consortium are counted as regular Columbia courses, not transfer credits.

All newly declared majors and concentrators should visit the department office and speak with the student coordinator about the requirements and their planned curriculum. The director of undergraduate studies regularly communicates with majors by e-mail to announce departmental events, museum internships, and other news. Students who do not receive these messages, should e-mail the student coordinator. The director of undergraduate studies is also available to talk to students about their professional goals and plans to study abroad.

Course Information

Lectures

Attendance at the first class meeting is recommended.

Colloquia

For information about enrollment in colloquia, students should consult with the department during the registration period in the semester prior to the one in which the course is offered. See the department website at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arthistory/ for addtional information.

Seminars

Seminars require an application which is due in the department office in 826 Schermerhorn before the registration period in the semester prior to the one in which the course is offered. The required application form is available in PDF format in “Planning Sheets and Forms” under the "Undergraduate" section of the department website at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/arthistory/ for additional information.

Travel Seminar

In the spring, one or more undergraduate seminars in the Department of Art History and Archaeology may be designated as a traveling seminar. Travel seminars receive funding to sponsor travel over the spring break to a distant site related to the subject matter of the seminar.

Study Abroad

Reid Hall, Paris

For information about the Columbia University in Paris Art History Program at Reid Hall, including summer session courses, consult the Office of Global Programs website.

Casa Muraro,Venice

The Department of Art History and Archaeology offers two courses in the Columbia University Summer Program in Venice. For information about the program, consult the Office of Global Programs website.

Departmental Honors

In order to qualify for departmental honors, students must write a senior thesis and have a GPA of at least 3.7 in classes for the major. The faculty of the Department of Art History and Archaeology submits recommendations to the College Committee on Honors, Awards, and Prizes for confirmation. Normally no more than 10 percent of the graduating majors in the department each year receive departmental honors. 

In order to qualify for departmental honors, students must write a senior thesis and have a GPA of at least 3.7 in classes for the major. The faculty of the Department of Art History and Archaeology submits recommendations to the School of General Studies Committee on Honors for confirmation. Normally no more than ten percent of the graduating majors in the department receive departmental honors.

Senior Thesis Prize

A prize is awarded each year to the best senior honors thesis written in the Department of Art History and Archaeology.