Art History

Art History helps us to decipher the language of art so that we can uncover the stories of our past and present. The Art History program is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to engage with artwork from around the world and across time. We offer courses in Western art history, Non-Western art history, and Museum and Gallery Studies. Our program also prepares students to transfer as Art History major at a four-year institution.

Degrees:

• AA-T - Art History

Career Opportunities

The program prepares students for careers in the art world and beyond. Students may pursue jobs in education, arts organizations, or the private sector. Possible job opportunities include: gallery owner, art consultant, curator, and arts educator. In addition, the skills learned in the program, such as creative thinking, research and writing skills, and collaboration are in demand job skills that can be transferred to a variety of job fields.

Art History Courses

ARHS 1 - Introduction to Art History

3 units

Architecture, sculpture, painting, photography and design in relation to human inventiveness in providing for material and aesthetic needs. This course provides a general introduction to art that offers a look at works of art through the study of theory, terminology, themes, design principles, media, techniques, with an introduction to the visual arts across time and diverse cultures. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; IGETC: 3A.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 2 - Art of the Ancient Americas

3 units

Survey of visual culture within the historical context of select ancient civilizations in Mexico, Central American, and South America up to European contact. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 3 - Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North Americas

3 units

This course is an introduction to the visual arts produced by selected people of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas from the prehistoric to contemporary periods. The topics covered in the course are representative of the art and architecture produced by groups from Africa, Oceania and the Americas emphasizing how art is representative of the cultural, religious, social, or political orientation of each region. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 4 - Western Art History Ancient to Medieval

3 units

History of Western art from prehistoric times through Egyptian, Mesopotamian, Aegean, Greek, Etruscan, Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Medieval, Romanesque, and Gothic civilizations. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; IGETC: 3A; C-ID# ARTH 110.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 5 - Western Art History Renaissance to Contemporary

3 units

History of Western art from Early Renaissance, High Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, 20th Century developments of American art 21st century Globalism. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; IGETC: 3A.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 6 - Museum & Gallery Techniques

3 units

An examination of the methodology and technique of displaying visual art within a museum/gallery space. Opportunities to meet artists from the Bay Area and beyond, learn the meaning behind their artwork, and gain hands-on practice in a range of activities covering the presentation, handling, and security of original artwork in the LPC Center for the Arts Gallery. 36 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 7 - Modern Art History

3 units

Presents an overview of the art movements, artists and issues of Modernism to Contemporary art. This includes art from the midnineteenth century, through the twentieth century and contemporary art. Incorporates the social, political, and aesthetic context of the time. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C1; IGETC: 3A.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ARHS 8 - Asian Art History

3 units

Asian art history surveys the arts of India, China, Korea, and Japan. The architecture, painting, sculpture, and other arts are examined within their religious and social contexts. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP