Art History is the study of works of art and other visual artifacts from all regions of the world and all periods of history. Consequently, the undergraduate curriculum in Art History, with its global perspective, is one of the most diverse disciplines in the humanities. Through Art History, students learn how to describe and interpret a range of objects including sculpture, painting, photography, architecture, and "new media" such as video and performance art. These skills, along with the program's intense focus on writing and verbal expression, prepare students to think critically and to express themselves clearly at a time when visual communication is becoming ever more important.
Because works of art are always created within a larger cultural context, Art History courses are a good way to understand what other places or times were like. Students may explore, for example, ancient Greece, 19th century Japan, or even the 21st century United States. Majors in Art History are encouraged to take related courses in other fields in the humanities and to pursue the study of language beyond the minimum requirements. Because of its international perspective, Art History is a particularly good major for students interested in studying abroad. There are many study centers throughout the world associated with the University's Education Abroad Program that offer widely varied selections of Art History courses.