Learn to analyze and interpret visual, material, and textual evidence in the history of art.
The Bachelor of Arts in History of Art in the College of Letters & Science is designed to give students a solid grounding in the artistic traditions, practices, and contexts that comprise historical and contemporary visuality. By introducing students to the discipline’s history, methods, and debates, the major prepares students to pursue independent research, evaluate evidence, create coherent and sustained arguments, and develop academic writing skills. Additionally, the Department of History of Art offers a minor designed to provide a structured and broad program for students majoring in other disciplines but with a strong interest in the history of art.
Highlights
- Get involved with H.Art, the social and community hub for undergrads in the major and the arts community at Berkeley.
- Publish your original research in the History of Art Journal at UC Berkeley.
- Connect Berkeley students to the local arts community with the BAMPFA Student Committee.
- Conduct a research project in the History of Art Honors Program.
Curriculum
In a series of increasingly focused courses—lower division, upper division, seminar, and honors program—the History of Art major provides a format for students to learn how to analyze and interpret visual, material, and textual evidence from specific cultural settings and historical circumstances.
Major requirements are also designed to maximize exposure to different historical periods, geographical regions, and topics while allowing flexibility for students to pursue specific interests.
Learn more at arthistory.berkeley.edu/undergraduate
Study Abroad
History of Art majors are encouraged to study abroad to expand on their academic interests and gain invaluable experience. Doing so requires careful planning and provisional pre-approval of the course of study. Students should meet with a History of Art faculty advisor before departure. Sample destinations:
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Dublin, Ireland
- Florence, Italy
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Rome, Italy
- Shinjuku, Japan
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you are admitted to the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To declare the History of Art major, you must complete two courses taught in the department and receive a grade of C- or higher in each course. You may then formally petition to declare the major with the Undergraduate Advisor at any time during the fall and spring semesters.
If you entered UC Berkeley as a freshman: you are strongly urged to complete all lower division requirements and one upper division course by the end of sophomore year. If you entered UC Berkeley as a transfer: you should take two history of art courses in your first semester.
We encourage History of Art students to shape their programs in ways that prepare them to respond to the intensified visual turn in our society and to develop careers in scholarship, teaching, curation, arts management, and non-profit and community-based work.
UC Berkeley offers a number of career resources for students studying History of Art. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Archivist
- Art Consultant
- Art Department Manager
- Art and Research Assistant
- Gallery Assistant
- Human Resources Assistant
- Legal Case Assistant
- Product Researcher
- Substitute Teacher
- Teaching Assistant
- UI/UX Designer
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Art History
- Critical Theory
- Film Studies
- Folklore
- Languages and Literature
- Philosophy
- Rhetoric
- Women Studies
Yassin, class of 2022
Yassin Oulad Daoud graduated UC Berkeley with a double major in History of Art and Computer Science. As a SURF Fellow at Berkeley, Yassin conducted a research project on “Digital Analysis of How Linear Perspective Views Transform Real Space” under the mentorship of Art History Professor Whitney Davis. Yassin is currently a PhD student in the Department of Art History & Archaeology at Columbia University.
“Being able to return and continue to return to a group of objects multiple times, each time with new questions and new things to see specifically, affords me a true experience of what research is like.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Art History major; begin satisfying lower division requirements.
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the History of Art Undergraduate Association.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Visit the Art History/Classics Library and explore the Fine Arts Collections.
- Visit the Discovery Hubto get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the UHS Career Counseling Library and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Continue exploring with a Sophomore Seminar or Big Ideas course.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language (especially if planning on graduate study in Art History).
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as New Media.
- Complete lower division requirements and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as the World Art History Lecture Series.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Explore the Arts Research Center.
- Consider joining the BAMPFA Student Committee.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin taking upper division requirements in the major and select your Focus of Study.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the History of Art Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Browse grants from the Center for Race and Gender and Center for Interdisciplinary Critical Inquiry.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the College Art Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Complete the History of Art theories/methods requirement.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the History of Art Journal or Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer Options
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Complement your degree with a summer minor—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Film and Media Industries, or Performance & Culture.
- Learn about applying to graduate school with the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major and college advisor to discuss your academic plans.
- Begin taking upper division requirements in the major.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Verify that you have completed the major prerequisites and declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Get involved with a student organization like the History of Art Undergraduate Association.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Find support at the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Visit the Discovery Hub to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit the UHS Career Counseling Library and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Select your Focus of Study; continue satisfying upper division requirements.
- Look into study abroad and learning a foreign language (especially if planning on graduate study in Art History).
- Explore new interests in a Changemaker or DeCal course.
- Enrich your studies with a course thread, certificate, or minor such as New Media.
- Consider applying to the History of Art Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend department events such as the World Art History Lecture Series.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Find community service opportunities through the Public Service Center.
- Explore the Arts Research Center.
- Consider joining the BAMPFA Student Committee.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Begin building your network and exploring career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Complete the History of Art theories/methods requirement.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Receive thesis guidance in the Townsend Center Honors Thesis Workshop.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Check out College Corps and the Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the College Art Association.
- Interested in public service? Look into the John Gardner Fellowship, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and U.S. Department of State.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Submit a course research project for the Library Prize, American Cultures Student Prize, or other awards.
- Get published! Submit your thesis or research paper to the History of Art Journal or Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer Options
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHET 100 Writing at the University.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship the summer before your first semester at Berkeley.
- Make progress on degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course.
- Go abroad through Berkeley Study Abroad or UCEAP.
- Look into a summer internship with Cal in the Capital, Cal in Sacramento, or Berkeley Global Internships.
- Complement your degree with a summer minor—check out programs in Digital Humanities, Film and Media Industries, or Performance & Culture.
- Learn about applying to graduate school in the PhD Admissions Bootcamp.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about History of Art or choosing a major?
The Department of History of Art offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in Art History. Advising is available from the Undergraduate Major Advisor and Faculty Advisor.
The Undergraduate Major Advisor is available for History of Art-related questions. The Faculty Advisor is available to discuss History of Art-related research and opportunities. Visit arthistory.berkeley.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-advising-0 for more information.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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