Art History (minor)

Students from a variety of academic backgrounds can expand their speaking, writing and critical thinking skills by questioning how arts of the past illuminate contemporary ideas. Through interactive discourse students investigate historical convention or controversy, ethical dimensions and the spirit of tradition, invention and expression across cultures.

Students will engage with a variety of art historical topics from ancient art to contemporary art. They will develop an understanding of materials, concepts, cultures and types of criticism that are relevant to the production, display and audience reception of art across time and culture. Through integrated research and hands-on making of art, students begin to connect to sensory perceptions and technical innovations of the past that continue to influence current artistic expression.

Through a variety of experiences in the classroom, electronic venues, international settings and visits to local galleries and museums students will begin to develop a personal aesthetic viewpoint to formulate valuing positions regarding artworks that arise from social circumstances in a variety of global communities, arts organizations and media venues. Students with a minor in art history bring expanded visual literacy and research and writing skills to careers. Critical thinking, creativity and experiential learning provide students with visual and cultural sensitivity about global aesthetics that are useful to designing media, marketing or social media in the workplace. 

For 130 years, Alverno College has been dedicated to the education of women, preparing them for lives of personal and professional distinction and meaningful engagement with the world. Alverno extends this mission to men as well, through graduate and adult classes. We are a Catholic, liberal arts college with a curriculum so unique, educators from around the world come to Alverno to learn how we teach. Alverno’s abilities-based approach to learning ensures our graduates will learn more in class and retain knowledge longer. Students do not receive traditional grades, rather, they are assessed by faculty, community assessors, peers and themselves. Our small class sizes ensure students receive uncommon access to faculty. With an average student to teacher ratio of 10:1, you are guaranteed an individualized learning experience.