UPCOMING CHANGES IN HISTORY OF ART MAJOR

August 2007

This fall, several important changes in the History of Art undergraduate major
are expected to go into effect.

The changes will not affect rising seniors (class of 2008), but rising
sophomores (class of 2010) will be governed by the new rules, and rising
juniors (class of 2009) may choose between the current major and the new major.

The changes involve the distribution requirement, outside course electives, and
the comprehensive exam. There is also a new methodology seminar. Here are
more details:

• Distribution Requirement. Students will be required to take one course in each
of five fields (Ancient I, Ancient II, Medieval, Renaissance/Baroque, Modern I,
Modern II) and one course selected from four other fields (Islamic, South
Asian, East Asian, African/Oceanic/North American). (Total: 6 courses)

• Related Courses. All courses for the major must be taken in the department
(i.e., designated "ARTH") or in approved study abroad programs. No "related
courses" from outside the department may be counted.

• Methodology Seminar. In addition to the two seminars required under the
present rules, students will be required to take a third seminar, which focuses
on art historical methodologies. A methodology seminar will be offered every
semester once the new rules are in effect, and this fall this new feature of the
curriculum will be inaugurated with ARTH 301-301 (Architectural History and
Theory, Prof. David Brownlee). Rising sophomores (and juniors who wish to
follow the new major) should consider taking this course. Please plan ahead.

• Comprehensive Examination. The exam will be eliminated under the new rules.
However, all rising seniors (Class of 2008) and those rising juniors (Class of
2009) who follow the old rules will take the comprehensive exam as usual.

The new major will retain the existing survey course and seminar requirements as
well as the total number of credits. As before, all majors will take ARTH 001
and ARTH 002, and two 300- or 500-level seminars. The total number of credits
remains 13, or 14 for the honors major.

Please contact Professor Lothar Haselberger, Undergraduate Chair, with any
questions.

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