Art: Art History

Art History majors are passionate about looking and thinking critically about art, visual culture, and their histories. Students in OU’s Art History program study the art of different cultures, past and present, in the OU School of Visual Arts surrounded by other students pursuing degrees in art and design, which makes for a dynamic environment that bridges the study of art to the making of art. The adjoining Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art has a large collection of art from around the world with especially strong holdings in Native American art, art of the American West, and French Impressionist and Postimpressionist paintings.  Classes are often taught in the museum to bring students into direct contact with the art they are studying.

In conjunction with the art history courses, undergraduate students also take humanities courses in areas such as history, literature, anthropology, philosophy, or histories of dance, music, or drama. A minimum of four classes in a language are required, as well as nine hours of studio art. Thus, the art history degree is truly interdisciplinary, allowing for many elective courses. Courses in museum studies are offered regularly, and there are many opportunities for museum internships both on and off campus.

Bachelor of Arts- Art History

Art History majors typically have interests in:

• Art
• Visual Culture
• Looking
• Writing
• History
• Humanities

Museum Ambassadors - Fred Jones Jr. Museuam of Art
Red Clay Faction—Ceramics
Print Club
VASA Visual Arts Student Association
Graphic Design Association

• OU in Arezzo offers great opportunities for students to study art, especially the art of Ancient Rome and the art of the Italian Renaissance and Baroque period, while abroad at the University’s campus in Tuscany, Italy.
• Students can also participate in one of OU’s other Summer Study Abroad programs to earn general education course credit.

OU School of Visual Arts
Phone: (405) 325-2691
Website: art.ou.edu