Art & Art History, BFA
for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Art & Art History
school office: 143 Art and Design Building, Champaign, IL 61820
coordinator of undergraduate academic affairs: Mark Avery
email: mavery@illinois.edu
phone: (217) 333-6632
director of undergraduate studies: Professor Kristin Romberg
email: kromberg@illinois.edu
school website: School of Art & Design
school faculty: Art & Design Faculty
overview of college admissions & requirements: Fine & Applied Arts
college website: Fine & Applied Arts
The Program in Art and Art History at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign is unique. Housed in the School of Art and Design in the College of Fine and Applied Arts, the Program in Art History offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in a combined Art History and Studio/Design course of study, providing a broad cultural education that unites academic and studio training. Students who earn this degree will be qualified to pursue a range of careers, museum work, or graduate study in either art history or studio practice.
A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.
Departmental Distinction: a student must earn a 3.25 overall GPA, and 3.50 GPA in Art History. The Student will complete at least 4 semester hours of independent research to write a senior research paper. See the undergraduate adviser for further details.
for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Art & Art History
Students in the School of Art and Design must complete the Campus General Education requirements. Some Art and Design courses will also apply toward the General Education requirements.
A portfolio review is required for admission to the School of Art and Design.
First Year Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FAA 101 | Arts at Illinois | 1 |
| ARTF 101 | Contemporary Issues in Art | 2 |
| ARTE 101 | Art, Design, and Society | 2 |
| ARTH 110 | Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
| Select one Drawing course: | 3 | |
| Observational Drawing | ||
| Expressive Drawing | ||
| Visualization Drawing | ||
| Select one course in 2D Category: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
| The Image World | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking (required for Studio Art: Printmaking) | ||
| Beginning Painting (required for Studio Art: Painting) | ||
| Select one course in 3D Category: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Industrial Design | ||
| Ceramics Sculpture I | ||
| Jewelry/Metals I | ||
| Beginning Sculpture (required for Studio Art: Sculpture) | ||
| Select one course in 4D Category: | 3 | |
| Image Practice | ||
| Time Arts I | ||
| Interaction I | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
Minimum required major and supporting course work: A minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework is required. Twelve (12) hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.
Art History Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 6 courses at the 200-400 level (3 credit hours each) 1,2 | 18 | |
Students must take at least one course in three of the following areas: 1) Africa and the Middle East; 2) Asia; 3) the Americas; 4) Europe | ||
At least one course must cover material before 1700 | ||
At least one course must cover material after 1700 | ||
| Two (2) seminars in Art History at the 400-level: 3 | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
Art & Design Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ARTS or ARTD courses (at any level) | 12 | |
| Seven (7) additional courses in the School of Art and Design (at any level), including courses with the following rubrics: ARTE, ARTD, ARTH, or ARTS | 21 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Open Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Open electives as needed to total 122 hour degree. | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hours required for graduation | 122 | |
| 1 | With an advisor’s approval, up to 6 credit hours of courses in the history of architecture or landscape architecture at the 200-400 may be taken towards the fulfillment of these required hours. |
| 2 | Though students must take a total of 6 courses, some courses may count toward the fulfillment of more than one area and period requirement. For instance, a course in 20th century African art could count as a class covering both Africa and the Middle East and material after 1700. |
| 3 | Courses must be designated as art history seminars (not all 400-level courses have this designation), or be approved as a seminar by the undergraduate advisor. |