Art & Art History Advising Guide

Introduction

Art stands at the intersection of culture, politics, religion, and philosophy, making it an ideal place from which to understand the liberal arts. Through the practice and analysis of art, students develop a rich understanding of how and why works of art are made, why art has played an integral role in human experience for centuries, and how to apply their understanding of visual expression to professions in the arts.There are two options for completing the major, emphasizing the study of either art history or studio art. For an explanation of the two options within the Art & Art History major, see the Academic Bulletin.

Courses appropriate for prospective majors

The normal way to begin the major is with one of the introductory courses (100 level) in studio or art history, or one of many appropriate 200 level courses without pre-requisites.

Prospective majors concentrating in art history are advised to schedule ARTH 101 or ARTH 102: Introduction to Art History, or an appropriate 200-level course in the first year.

Prospective majors in studio art are advised to schedule ARTH 101 or 102, and ARTH 122 Fundamentals of Composition and Drawing, or ARTH 123, Fundamentals of Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Design, in the first year, if possible.

Courses that fulfill distribution requirements

Division IC - the arts:
Any course in the department may be used to fulfill one Division IC course.

Comparative Civilizations:
Courses offered in non-Western art will fulfill this requirement.

For course descriptions and requirements for the major, refer to the Academic Bulletin: Art & Art History. Students wishing to major or minor in Art & Art History should announce their intentions to the Art & Art History Department Chairperson as soon as possible; we like to include our majors and minors in all departmental activities.

Opportunities for off-campus study

The department sponsors a summer program in Toulouse, France, in alternate years. Students may take a select number of courses in art history and studio art at Toulouse, Bologna, and Norwich Dickinson Centers for study abroad in the junior year. In addition, students may also study studio art and art history in three Dickinson-affiliated programs at Syracuse University in Florence, SACI in Florence, and Temple University in Rome. Students interested in these programs will want to consult with their art instructors or the department chair regarding these programs and the requirements for each.

Additional remarks

Related activities: The Arts Collective is the major student organization related to the Art & Art History Department. This group participates in organizing social events, films, and exhibitions for students interested in art and art history, e.g., field trips to museums in Philadelphia and Washington. Also, the Arts Collective annually presents a Senior award to the outstanding graduating major.

Majors Committee: Majors, elected from a slate of self-nominees, attend departmental meetings and serve as liaisons between faculty and other majors.

Careers: Many recent graduates are pursuing advanced Art & Art History degrees, preparing to become scholars and teachers or working on MFA's in preparation for careers as artists. Others are employed as architects, curators in museums, directors/owners of art galleries, news photographers, stage designers, fashion designers, and appraisal experts. (Art & Art History majors have also become lawyers, doctors, dentists, research scientists, and designers and buyers in business.) Consult with an Art & Art History Department advisor for additional information and advice regarding careers in the visual arts.