Art History

The study of art history at The Claremont Colleges explores the development of the visual arts and architecture as a tangible expression of the cultures of Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Works of art provide insights into the aesthetic and ideological changes taking place within and among cultural groups and provide evidence of social, intellectual, and material developments. With two museum spaces on the Scripps College campus and extensive holdings in American and Asian arts, art history students are encouraged to examine original works and consider how to exhibit them for educational purposes; Scripps courses also regularly incorporate further exploration of works of art and architecture with field trips to museums and galleries in Los Angeles and Pasadena. The Art History Program also includes courses offered at Pitzer and Pomona Colleges. In addition to preparing the art history major for graduate studies in this field, art history courses also provide an excellent background for students seeking careers in teaching, publishing, library or museum work, law, and business.