Art History

The B.F.A. degree in art history is offered through the School of Liberal Arts at KCAI. We encourage contemplative, broadly educated artists and art historians with a solid appreciation and understanding of studio discipline.

This program is structured to stimulate and enrich critical thinking, intellectual inquiry, investigation, research and analysis between liberal arts and the studio disciplines, as well as throughout the campus community. Investigating art historical methodology and scholarship within the context of a studio-based environment provides the student with insights into and perspectives on the relationships between concept and practice. This provides solid preparation for graduate study in art history or studio disciplines. The degree has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Students can elect to pursue the B.F.A. degree with a major in art history and a minor in a studio discipline within the presently required 129 credit hours. Requirements include 30 credit hours in art history, 30 credit hours in humanities and sciences and 69 credits in studio work. A B.F.A. with a double major in art history and a studio discipline is also available to students, requiring an additional 12 to 15 credit hours course work beyond the 129 credit hours for the traditional B.F.A. degree. A minimum of 39 credit hours in liberal arts, including at least 15 hours in art history and 15 in humanities and/or sciences, must be taken in residency at KCAI.

Due to the intellectual rigor and select nature of this program, in order to be admitted a student must submit a written application to the school director explaining his or her reasons for wanting to pursue this degree. In order to complete the degree within eight semesters, normally a student would submit his or her application and be officially accepted into the program no later than second semester of his or her sophomore year.

Every semester, students will have a broad choice of courses, ranging from ancient to contemporary, topical, thematic and specific media. In their final year, students will be required to take a three-credit-hour senior seminar on a particular topic that integrates their learning, discusses different methodological approaches and gives the opportunity, skills and guidance to complete a thesis or special project of their choosing in consultation with the instructor.

More detailed information is available from Dr. Phyllis Moore, director of the School of Liberal Arts, or by consulting with an academic advisor at KCAI.