Art History and Archaeology

Departmental Information

Directors of Undergraduate Studies

Zoë Strother,
914 Schermerhorn
854-3617
zss1@columbia.edu

Chair of Art Humanities
To be announced

Student Coordinator
Luke Barclay
826 Schermerhorn
854-4505

Departmental Office
826 Schermerhorn
(212) 854-4505

Departmental Web Site
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 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 here. Courses taken at Reid Hall and through the Berlin Consortium are counted as regular Columbia courses, not transfer credits.

NOTE: HUMA W1121 Masterpieces of Western art (Art Humanities) does not count toward the major, and no credit is given for Advanced Placement tests. Courses in which a grade of D has been received do not count toward the major or concentration requirements. Appropriate Major Cultures courses count toward the major.

Advising: All newly declared majors and concentrators should make an appointment with the student coordinator, who will inform them of their assigned faculty adviser. All majors are required to confer with their adviser at the start of junior and senior year to discuss their academic program. In order for courses to count for the major, students must have the approval of their adviser. The director of undergraduate studies regularly communicates with majors by e-mail to announce departmental events, museum internships, and other news. If you do not receive these messages, please contact the department office.