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Art History

Overview Degrees/Certificates Courses Faculty

Associate Degrees for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Art History

The Art History major is designed to prepare students for further study in the history of art leading to the Bachelor's, Master's, and/or the Ph.D. in Art History. The Art History transfer program provides students the opportunity to complete the lower-division coursework required for four-year programs in art history. This program is for students who plan to transfer to a California State University (CSU). Completion of the CSU General-Breadth or IGETC general education pattern is required. It is highly recommended that students meet with a counselor because major and general education requirements vary for each college/university. Declared majors will be invited to an orientation with the opportunity to meet with art history faculty for advising.



The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) student completion requirements (as stated in SB1440 law):



(1) Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to the California State University, including both of the following:

(A) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements (CSU GE-Breadth).

(B) A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.



(2) Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.



ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ARTH 304 Ancient Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 484 Ancient Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 306 Medieval Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 486 Medieval Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 308 Renaissance Tradition in Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 487 Renaissance Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 310 Modern Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 488 Modern Art--Honors (3)
ART 300 Drawing and Composition I 3
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
ARTH 320 Multicultural Art in America (3)
   or ARTH 324 Art of the Americas (3)
   or ARTH 325 Native American Art History (3)
   or ARTH 328 Survey of African Art (3)
   or ARTH 332 Asian Art (3)
   or ARTH 334 International Contemporary Art (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
ART 301 Digital Drawing and Composition (3)
   or ART 304 Figure Drawing I (3)
   or ART 320 Design: Fundamentals (3)
   or ART 370 Three Dimensional Design (3)
   or ART 372 Sculpture (3)
   or ART 390 Ceramics (3)
A minimum of 3 units from the following: 3
Choose a minimum of three units from below that was not chosen above:
ARTH 307 Italian Renaissance Art (3)
   or ARTH 312 Women in Art (3)
   or ARTH 313 History of Western Architecture: Prehistoric to Renaissance (3)
   or ARTH 314 History of Western Architecture: Renaissance to Modern (3)
   or ARTH 318 History of American Art (3)
   or ARTH 320 Multicultural Art in America (3)
   or ARTH 324 Art of the Americas (3)
   or ARTH 325 Native American Art History (3)
   or ARTH 328 Survey of African Art (3)
   or ARTH 332 Asian Art (3)
   or ARTH 334 International Contemporary Art (3)
Total Units: 24

The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, including (a) a minimum grade of "C" (or "P") for each course in the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) either the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education-Breadth Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • assess and evaluate the contributions of artists throughout history.
  • identify and evaluate works of art or architecture according to their appropriate style and time frame.
  • analyze and critique art and architecture within the context of their functions and meanings.
  • research and assess theoretical information concerning the meanings and purposes of art and architecture.
  • analyze and assess the histories of cultures and civilizations and how art and architecture is a reflection of those histories.

Career Information

Art historians with undergraduate degrees are placed as registrars, preparators, and curatorial staff in art museums and galleries; they are also employed as art critics in mass media publications, such as newspapers and magazines. An advanced degree allows an art historian a wider range of possible career applications, including museum directorships, curators, instructors, preservationists, researchers, and auction house personnel.

Associate Degrees

A.A. in Art History

The Art History major is designed to prepare students for further study in the history of art leading to the Bachelor's, Master's, and/or the Ph.D. in Art History. Art Historians with advanced degrees are college instructors, museum and gallery directors, curators, or art critics and work for public and private collectors.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2024

Degree Requirements

Course Code Course Title Units
ARTH 301 Introduction to Art History 31
ARTH 304 Ancient Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 484 Ancient Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 306 Medieval Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 486 Medieval Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 308 Renaissance Tradition in Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 487 Renaissance Art-Honors (3)
ARTH 310 Modern Art (3) 3
   or ARTH 488 Modern Art--Honors (3)
ARTH 324 Art of the Americas (3) 3
   or ARTH 325 Native American Art History (3)
   or ARTH 328 Survey of African Art (3)
   or ARTH 332 Asian Art (3)
ART 300 Drawing and Composition I 3
ART 320 Design: Fundamentals (3) 3
   or ART 332 Oil Painting (3)
   or ART 370 Three Dimensional Design (3)
Total Units: 24

1This course should be taken prior to or concurrent with any other Art History course.

The Art History Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree may be obtained by completion of the required program, plus general education requirements, plus sufficient electives to meet a 60-unit total. See SCC graduation requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

  • assess and evaluate the contributions of artists throughout history.
  • identify and evaluate works of art or architecture according to their appropriate style and time frame.
  • analyze and critique art and architecture within the context of their functions and meanings.
  • research and assess theoretical information concerning the meanings and purposes of art and architecture.
  • analyze and assess the histories of cultures and civilizations and how art and architecture is a reflection of those histories.

Career Information

Art historians with undergraduate degrees are placed as registrars, preparators, and curatorial staff in art museums and galleries; they can also be employed as art critics in mass media publications, such as newspapers and magazines. An advanced degree allows an art historian a wider range of possible career applications, including museums directorships, curators, instructors, preservationists, researchers, and auction house personnel.