Learn to analyze and interpret visual, material, and textual evidence in the history of art.
The Bachelor of Arts in History of Art(link is external) 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(link is external) 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(link is external), the social and community hub for undergrads in the major and the arts community at Berkeley.
- Connect Berkeley students to the local arts community with the BAMPFA Student Committee(link is external).
- Conduct a research project in the History of Art Honors Program(link is external).
- Publish your original research in the History of Art Journal at UC Berkeley(link is external).
Curriculum
In a series of increasingly focused courses(link is external)—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(link is external) 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(link is external)
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(link is external), 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(link is external) 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(link is external) for students in the Arts & Humanities, and offers advising(link is external) for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or masters and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement(link is external) 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.”
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about History of Art or choosing a major?
The Department of History of Art offers undergraduate advising(link is external) for students planning to major in Art History. Advising is available from the Undergraduate Advisor and Faculty Advisor.
The Undergraduate 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(link is external) 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(link is external) or email asklns@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail).
Related Programs
Looking for programs similar to History of Art? UC Berkeley also offers the following major, minor, and certificate programs:
