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Art History

Students interested in pursuing the Art History concentration often start by taking one of the introductory ARTH courses: ARTH 150 (History of Urban Design), ARTH 160 (Introduction to East Asian Art), ARTH 170 (Introduction to Early European Art), or ARTH 180 (Introduction to Later European and American Art). For Art History concentration students, completing two of these courses is required for the major. Students who major in Art History should meet with a departmental advisor to plan their coursework and are encouraged to take additional language courses in order to enhance their research capabilities.

Placement Information

No placement exams are specifically required for the Art and Art History major.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• 100-level ARTH electives satisfy 1-3 core requirements.

Studio Art

Students interested in pursuing the Studio Art concentration should complete the three introductory ARTS courses during their first and second years: ARTS 102 (Painting Fundamentals), ARTS 103 (Sculpture Fundamentals); and ARTS 105 (Printmaking Fundamentals). Because the maturation of creative work requires time as well as effort, students who major in studio art should consult with departmental advisors and begin taking studio courses as early as possible in their first year, and should declare a major early in the sophomore year.

Placement Information

No placement exams are specifically required for the Art and Art History major.

Sample 4-Year Plan

Curricular Notes

• ARTS 101, ARTS 104, ARTS 106, and ARTS 109 may only be taken as electives and do not count as required introductory courses. 

• Studio Art students should complete ARTH 180 by the end of the sophomore year, and ARTH 389 by the end of the junior year.

Art and Art History Transfer Student Advice

Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: 14 units for the Art History Concentration, 15 units for the Studio Art Concentration

Designated Transfer Adviser

Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Art and Art History:

• Rising Junior transfer students and transfer students starting mid way through their sophomore year who intend to major in Art and Art History should have all 100-level major requirements satisfied prior to starting at Occidental. 

• Rising Seniors should have completed most of their Core requirements prior to transferring. It will be possible to get at most one or two more Core requirements while at Occidental. Rising Sophomore students or students starting mid way through their sophomore year should have a sufficient number of Core requirements met so that they can complete all of their Core requirements in their first two semesters at Occidental.

General advice for transfer students wanting to major in Art and Art History:

• The department will only accept courses in transfer to fulfill 100-level major and minor requirements. All 200-level or above courses for the major or minor must be taken at Occidental, or must be pre-approved for transfer by the chair of the department prior to the student taking the course.

• As you start at Occidental, seek out the Art and Art History Chair, who also serves as the Transfer Adviser, to work out a detailed enrollment plan for your path toward satisfying the major and graduation requirements. Keep detailed notes, carefully read the catalog for the year in which you declare your major at swagÍâÁ÷, enroll in courses as advised. Alert the Transfer Adviser if you do not enroll in courses as planned, or if you drop any courses. 

What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?

For Rising Juniors: ARTH 201 Ways of Looking and Making and ARTH 298 Practicum (1 credit). And In addition:

• For Studio Art Concentration: also enroll in ARTH 290 Modern and Contemporary Art. 

• For Art History Concentration who have transferred in at least two 4-unit Art History courses: also enroll in at least one 200- or 300-level Art History course(s).

For Rising Sophomores or students starting mid way through their sophomore year: ARTH 201 Ways of Looking and Making and ARTH 298 Practicum (1 credit). 

And In addition:

• For Studio Art Concentration

  • If they have not fulfilled their 100-level Studio Art requirements, they should enroll in the remaining 100-level requirements

  • If they have fulfilled their 100-level Studio Art requirements, they should enroll in 200-level Studio Art electives

• For Art History Concentration: At least two Art History course(s) at the 100-, 200- or 300-level

Exchange Program with the Art Center

Occidental students may take courses in the Art Center at Night Program at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. See the College Catalog section on the Art Center Exchange program available only to full-time swagÍâÁ÷ students. These classes can count towards general college units for graduation but cannot fulfill Art and Art History major or minor requirements without pre-approval of the Art and Art History faculty adviser and department chair.