Undergraduate study in Art History

What can you study in Art History?

Art History examines the many roles the visual arts have played in different cultures and in different periods – aesthetic, social, religious, political and commercial. You can explore not only painting, drawing and sculpture, but also architecture, photography, video, performance art, design and the graphic and decorative arts.

Our lectures are visually stimulating, including a variety of beautiful, puzzling and sometimes controversial images. As an Art History student you can have the opportunity to study famous artists including Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Marina Abramovic, Olafur Eliasson, Lisa Reihana, Simon Denny, and many others.

You can explore Renaissance and Baroque periods, Māori and Pacific art, curatorial and museum studies, contemporary art and theory, cross-cultural representation, photography and digital culture.

Structuring your major in Art History

You can take a major in Art History as one of the two components of your double major for a BA. You will need to pass at least 120 points (eight courses) towards each of your majors, including at least 45 points (three courses) at Stage III.

Courses

Explore the undergraduate courses you can take as part of a major in Art History. You would normally take Stage I courses in your first year, Stage II in your second and Stage III in your third.

Required courses

You must pass the following courses as part of the Art
History major:

  • At least three courses from ARTHIST 107, 109, 114, 115, 200-248
  • Three courses from ARTHIST 300-349
  • You may also include up to two courses from ANCIENT 280, HUMS 101, 300, Media 235, 335

Scholarships and awards

Help and advice

Our friendly staff will provide you with advice on planning your degree and enrolling in your courses at Student Hubs.

If you would like to find out more about studying Art History, you can contact our Undergraduate Adviser.