Visual Arts

Regulations for all Visual Arts Majors, Concentrators, and Interdepartmental Majors

No more than 12 points from any other degree-granting institution may be counted as credit toward the major and must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.

For a Major in Visual Arts

A total of 47 points are required as follows:

1. Courses within the Visual Arts Program (35 points):
   
   • VIAR R1001 Basic drawing (3 points)
   • VIAR R3330 Sculpture I (3 points)
   • Six additional VIAR R3000-level or above courses (18 points)
   • The following course must be taken during the junior year:
     
     • VIAR R4601 Eye and idea (3 points)
   • Senior project consists of the following four courses:
     
     • VIAR R3901-R3902 Senior thesis, I and II (4 points)
     • VIAR R3921-R3922 Visiting critic, I and II (4 points)
       
2. Courses from other departments or programs (12 points)
   • One of the following:
     
     • AHIS BC1001 Introduction to the history of art I (4 points)
     • AHIS BC1002 Introduction to the history of art II (4 points)
     • AHIS W3650 Twentieth-century art (3 points)
       
   • Three related courses (8-9 points)

Senior Project

Before entering into senior project it is strongly advised that majors have completed 18 points of required Visual Arts Program courses. Senior project consists of four 2-point courses taken over two semesters; VIAR R3901-R3902 Senior thesis, I and II (4 points) and VIAR R3921-R3922 Visiting critic, I and II (4 points) (Senior thesis I and Visiting critic I running concurrently and Senior thesis II and Visiting critic II running concurrently).

Visual arts majors must sign up for a portfolio review to enroll in senior project. Portfolio reviews are scheduled in April preceding the semester for which students seek entry. Prior to signing up students should review the procedures for gaining admittance into senior project at http://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/visualarts/files/2011/01/SeniorProjectEntrance.pdf. Portfolios representing the work students have completed within the visual arts program are evaluated by the director of undergraduate studies and a faculty committee.  Following each semester of senior project, a faculty committee evaluates the work and performance completed thus far.

For a Major in Art History and Visual Arts

Students electing the combined major should consult with the director of undergraduate studies, as well as with a faculty adviser in the Art History and Archaeology 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 3-point lecture courses in art history.
   • At least one course in three of four historical periods:
     
     • Ancient (up to 400 CE/AD)
     • 400-1400
     • 1400-1700
     • 1700-present
   • An additional two courses drawn from at least two different world regions, as listed below:
     
     • Africa
     • Asia
     • Europe, North America, Australia
     • Latin America
     • Middle East
3. 21 points in Visual Arts covering:
   • VIAR R1001 Basic drawing (3 points)
   • VIAR R3330 Sculpture I (3 points)
   • Five additional VIAR R3000-level or above courses (15 points)
     

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).

NOTE: These chronological divisions are approximate. In case of ambiguities about the eligibility of a course to fill the requirement, please consult the director of undergraduate studies in Art History and Archaeology.

For a Concentration in Visual Arts

A total of 30 points are required as follows:

1. Courses within the Visual Arts Program (18 points):
   
   • VIAR R1001 Basic drawing (3 points)
   • VIAR R3330 Sculpture I (3 points)
   • Four additional VIAR R3000-level or above courses (12 points)
2. Courses outside the Visual Arts Program (12 points):
   
   • One of the following:
     
     • AHIS BC1001 Introduction to the history of art I (4 points)
     • AHIS BC1002 Introduction to the history of art II (4 points)
     • AHIS W3650 Twentieth-century art (3 points)
       
   • Three related courses (8-9 points)