Skip to main content

Art History and Criticism, BA

Art History and Criticism, BA, Martha Kearns teaching

Art History and Criticism, BA

The Art History and Criticism, BA is designed for students to pursue careers as art historians, critics, or curators in museums or galleries. It may also serve as a foundation for graduate study in art history.

Students in the Art History and Criticism, BA will take 10 courses in the arts.
Note: Completion of the Learning-in-Common (LinC) curriculum in liberal arts is also required.
 

Year 1

Art History and Criticism, BA Courses, Year 1
 

Art History and Criticism, BA

Fall  
Number Course Name
ART 170 Drawing 1
ART 113 Art History Survey: Caves to Cathedrals
   
Spring  
Number Course Name
ART 114 Art History Survey: Renaissance to Abstraction
ART 142 Visual Foundations: Composition, Color and Design
   

Year 2

Art History and Criticism, BA Courses, Year 2
 

Art History and Criticism, BA

Fall  
Number Course Name
ART 180 Painting 1
   
Spring  
Number Course Name
  * Required Art Elective (select from list below)
   

Year 3

Art History and Criticism, BA Courses, Year 3
 

Art History and Criticism, BA

Fall  
Number Course Name
ART 218 Art of Renaissance
   
Spring  
Number Course Name
ART 229 WI: Modern Art
   

Year 4

Art History and Criticism, BA Courses, Year 4
 

Art History and Criticism, BA

Fall  
Number Course Name
ART 310 Art History Methodology: Criticism, Theory and Practice
   
Spring  
Number Course Name
  * Required Art Elective (select from list below)
   

* BA in Art History and Criticism, Required Art Elective Options (2 Required)

ART 212 Artists as Activists (U2)
ART 220 History of Photography
ART 222 African Art (M5)
ART 226 Art of the 19th Century
ART 190-199, 29X or 39X Art History Special Topics Classes
ART 286, 381-384 Independent Study
ART 288, 386-388 Internship
ART 400-401 Honors
   
   

Art History and Criticism, BA Recommendations

Internship at a regional museum or arts organization – past internships have included ArtsQuest, Kemerer Museum, Allentown Art Museum, The Baum School of Art, and other arts organizations

If interested in Museum Studies:

  • Cross-register for courses in Museum Studies program at Lehigh
  • Take courses in Education, Public Speaking, Business, Journalism

If interested in academics:

  • Take courses in Literature and History

If interested in further art courses:

  • Take courses listed under programs in Studio Art:  Studio Art, Photography/Media Concentration; or Graphic and Interactive Design

If planning graduate school in art history:

  • Take foreign language in French, German, or Italian

Other options: 

  • Cross-register at other LVAIC schools for specialized courses in art history, especially Lafayette (Asian, Indian, Ancient, Byzantine)
  • English/Writing courses
  • Digital Media courses such as ART 131: Introduction to Graphic Design and ART 268: Digital Photography 1
  • Take a Chemistry course for the requirement in natural sciences (art restoration)
  • Take relevant history courses along with special interests to meet history requirement or forelectives
  • Study abroad