Effective Fall 2022
Majoring in History of Art & Architecture
Majors work closely with faculty to gain visual and interpretative skills as well as an understanding of techniques, materials, and the context of buildings and works of art. Working independently and in small groups, students master written and oral skills, and gain a thorough knowledge of the history of art and architecture of diverse cultures and periods. The opportunity to pursue a major with an honors thesis is available. The major encourages study abroad through many programs including at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London.
Majors in History of Art & Architecture are encouraged to take courses in the related disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, classics, history, literature, philosophy, and religion. Familiarity with a second language is strongly encouraged. Opportunities exist for dual majors or major/minor combinations. Students work closely with their chosen advisor to develop a program of study tailored to their interests.
All students entering as freshmen after Fall 2018 will also pursue coursework in the BU Hub, a general education program that is integrated into the entire undergraduate experience. BU Hub requirements are flexible and can be satisfied in many different ways, through coursework in and beyond the major and, in some cases, through co-curricular activities. Students majoring in History of Art & Architecture will, through coursework in the major, satisfy BU Hub requirements in Philosophical, Aesthetic and Historical Interpretation, Diversity, Civic Engagement and Global Citizenship, Communication and the Intellectual Toolkit. Remaining BU Hub requirements will be satisfied by selecting from a wide range of available courses outside the major or, in some cases, co-curricular experiences.
For full details of the major, see the Bulletin description.
The learning outcomes for the BA in the History of Art & Architecture
- Acquire geographically and temporally broad knowledge of the history of art and architecture
- Acquire familiarity with different methodologies in the history of art, architecture and material culture
- Develop visual and textual analytic skills
- Learn oral communication of art historical arguments
- Learn to produce cogent written arguments supported by visual and textual research
Click here for a .pdf containing the requirements for a concentration in History of Art & Architecture.
Note: If you declared your HAA major prior to Fall 2022, you should fulfill the major requirements outlined here.
A grade of C is the minimum acceptable for a concentrator in a departmental course.