At a Glance
I’m interested in this field of study. Can you tell me more about it?
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, the Pacific, and Europe. In this field, 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, we encourage you to examine original works and consider how to exhibit them for educational purposes. The Art History Program includes courses offered at Scripps, Pitzer, and Pomona Colleges and regularly incorporates field trips to museums and galleries in Los Angeles and Pasadena.
In addition to preparing the art history major for graduate studies in this field, art history courses provide you with an excellent background for careers in teaching, publishing, law, business, libraries, or museums.
What are some courses appropriate for first-year students interested in exploring this field of study?
- ARHI 185: History of Photography
- ARHI 150: The Arts of China
- ARHI 183: The Art World Since 1989
- ARHI 130: Modern Latinx American Art
If I decide to major or minor in this field, are there certain courses that need to be taken in a specific sequence?
No, you can take courses in any sequence.
Can students who major or minor in this field complete a second major or minor (as a double major or a major/minor combination)? If so, what are some common pairings?
Yes, students frequently dual major and pair art history with a minor. Some common combinations include art, economics, art conservation, media studies, history, English, French, Italian, and German.
What other useful information should I know about this field of study?
We strongly encourage you to apply for paid summer internships in museums, galleries, and conservation labs throughout your Scripps experience. We also recommend studying abroad during junior year.
Scripps Catalog link to specific requirements for the major/minor:
https://catalog.scrippscollege.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=33&poid=4846
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.