Art History

Overview

Art history is the study of art and architecture, both as expressions of human creativity and as uniquely informative historical documents to promote an understanding of its cultural and social value. Students in the art history program at SIUE:

Gain an understanding of broad historical traditions in the visual arts and specialized knowledge in one or more areas of art history
Learn to think critically and reason logically in written and verbal analysis of the visual arts

The art history curriculum at SIUE is designed such that students gain an understanding of broad historical traditions in the visual arts as well as specialized knowledge in one or more specific areas in the field of art history. Our students are challenged to think critically and reason logically in written and verbal analysis of the visual arts. Three of our faculty members are art historians who offer courses on a broad range of topics from prehistoric to contemporary art at both the introductory and advanced levels. Art history courses are taught in two smart classrooms, housed in the recently built Art and Design West building. Students also have access to the art history resource room, which provides a variety of supporting research materials, including videos, books, magazines and a digitized image database.

What can I do with a degree in art history?

Students specializing in art history at SIUE are prepared for a wide variety of careers, including:

Museums
Art galleries
Cultural institutions
Academia

Our students are also well prepared to pursue graduate school. Recent graduates have pursued advanced degrees at Washington University in St. Louis; University of Illinois, Springfield; and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Art history students have gained employment at area institutions such as the Pulitzer, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. Many of our graduates also pursue a certificate in museum studies at SIUE, which is an interdisciplinary post-baccalaureate certificate that offers students with an interest in exploring a museum career an opportunity to gain expertise that will aid in their career advancement.

Hands-on Learning

Art history students at SIUE have many opportunities to learn outside the traditional classroom, as well as access to the extensive collection of cultural objects housed in the University Museum and in other areas on campus. SIUE’s close proximity to the St. Louis metropolitan area allows our students easy access to numerous museums and cultural institutions, including:

Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM)
Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis (CAM)
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Cahokia Mounds
And more!

Students at all levels are required to visit these museums and cultural institutions for a variety of assignments.

Art history majors are also encouraged to enroll in an internship course to build on their academic experiences. Our students have secured internships at CAM, White Flag Projects, the Pulitzer and many others. Students also have the opportunity to gain experience in a professional setting by presenting their research at the annual Art History Symposium, which brings distinguished art history speakers to campus.