Regulations for all Art History and Archaeology Majors, Concentrators, and Interdepartmental Majors

Courses

HUMA W1121 Masterpieces of Western art (Art Humanities) does not count toward the majors or concentrations, and no credit is given for Advanced Placement tests.

Grading

Courses in which a grade of D has been received do not count toward the major or concentration requirements.

Senior Thesis

The senior thesis consists of a research paper of approximately 40 pages in length. It is a yearlong project, and students writing a thesis should register for AHIS C3997-C3998. All thesis writers are required to participate in occasional meetings of a thesis colloquium led by faculty. A new procedure has been established for the senior thesis. Students are required to submit an application and the selection process is similar to the one currently used for seminars. The student is asked to identify a topic for the senior thesis and an adviser among the faculty of the Art History and Archaeology Department. Students must then submit an application, with an indication of the subject of the thesis and the name and the signature of the adviser, followed by a one-page statement (400 words) outlining the subject, the goals, and the methodology of the thesis. The deadline for the submission is set at the end of the second week of the senior year. The submissions are made in the department’s office and are addressed to the director of undergraduate studies. The director of undergraduate studies, in consultation with the thesis adviser, evaluates the applications and decides on their approval or rejection. Students intending to write a thesis should begin formulating a research topic and approaching potential faculty sponsors during the spring of the junior year. Applications for writing a thesis can be found at http://www.columiba.edu/cu/arthistory/pdf/dept_undergrad_senior_thesis_form_fa007/pdf and are due by September 18, 2009. Senior theses are due April 9, 2010.

Senior Thesis Research Fellowships

The department offers Senior Thesis Research Fellowships for travel to distant museums and building sites, libraries, or archives. This travel is normally undertaken during the summer before the senior year. Fellowship applications consisting of a carefully edited thesis proposal and supporting letter from a faculty sponsor should be submitted, in hardcopy, to the department by April 15, 2010. (Email applications are only accepted from students studying abroad.)

For a Major in Art History

The yearlong senior thesis (for qualified students; see below) AHIS C3997-C3998 may substitute for one lecture course. Seminars may substitute for lecture courses, and may count toward fulfilling the area distribution requirement. Barnard art history courses count toward the majors and concentrations. 

The requirements for the major are as follows:

1. The major's colloquium: AHIS W3895 or the architecture colloquium: AHIS W3951 (offered periodically)
2. Seven 3-point lecture courses in art history. Students must take at least one course in four of five general areas:
   • ancient Mediterranean
   • medieval Europe
   • Renaissance and baroque
   • 18th-20th century
   • non-Western
3. Two seminars in art history
4. A studio course in the visual arts or architecture (which may be taken Pass/D/Fail)

For a Major in History and Theory of Architecture

Majors can take advantage of one of the strengths of the department by focusing on architectural history. This track combines an introductory studio in architectural design with a slightly modified program in art history.  Courses in the Department of Architecture may substitute for up to two courses in art history with approval of the adviser. 

The requirements for the major are as follows:

1. The majors’colloquium: AHIS W3895 or the architecture colloquium: AHIS W3951 (offered periodically)
2. Seven lecture courses in art history, one of which must be AHIS C3001 Introduction to architecture, and three of which must focus on architectural history. Courses must cover four of five general areas:
   • ancient Mediterranean
   • medieval Europe
   • Renaissance and baroque
   • 18th-20th century
   • non-Western
3. Two seminars in art history or architectural history
4. Architectural studio: ARCH V1020 Introduction to architectural design and visual culture

For a Major in Art History and Visual Arts

Students electing the combined major should consult with a faculty adviser in the department, as well as with the director of undergraduate studies in the Visual Arts Department. 

Up to two of the seven 3-point courses in art history may be replaced by a specifically related course in another department with approval of the adviser. The combined major requires fulfillment of sixteen or seventeen courses.

It is recommended that students interested in this major begin work toward the requirements in their sophomore year.  The requirements for the major are as follows:

1. The majors’colloquium: AHIS W3895
2. Seven lecture courses in art history. Students must take at least one course in four of five general areas:
   • ancient Mediterranean
   • medieval Europe
   • Renaissance and baroque
   • 18th-20th century
   • non-Western
3. 21 points in Visual Arts covering:
4. VIAR R1001 Basic drawing and R1315 Sculpture fundamentals (6 points)
5. One of the following (3 points): 
   • VIAR R3040 Printmaking I: lithography
   • R3041 Printmaking II: lithography
   • R3411 Printmaking I; relief
   • R3701 Photo I
   • R3201 Painting I
     
6. Four additional courses chosen from the studio foundation courses in visual arts (12 points)
7. In the senior year, students undertake either a seminar in the Department of Art History and Archaeology or a senior project in Visual Arts (pending approval by the Visual Arts Department).

For a Concentration in Art History

Seven lecture courses in art history covering four of five areas as described for the major. Concentrators are not required to take the majors’ colloquium, a seminar, or a studio course.

For a Concentration in History and Theory of Architecture

Seven courses in art history, including four in architectural history. Courses must cover four of five areas as described for the major. Concentrators are not required to take the majors’ colloquium, a seminar, or a studio course.