Students may begin their study of Art History with any one of the five introductory courses (though ARHS 110 and 111 are required for the major). They can be taken in any sequence. Each course introduces students to the concepts and methods of the discipline and prepares students for more advanced study.
These include visual elements and the development of style, iconography and its changing meaning, and the historical and social context as applied to art history. ARHS 110 and 111 use the same text, Janson's History of Art, but different supplemental readings. Most intermediate courses and seminars require an introductory course as a prerequisite. If students have AP scores of 4 or 5, they may enroll in intermediate level courses without the Survey prerequisite. Only with permission of the professor can freshman or sophomores enroll in seminars (300-400 level courses) as they are designed for juniors and seniors.