In Augustana's department of art history, works of art are evaluated and interpreted as visual historical documents. The curriculum spans more than 20,000 years from Paleolithic cave paintings to the rich diversity of contemporary art. Each student begins with a survey of western art, gradually advancing to more specialized study of specific artistic periods, such as the Renaissance or Impressionism. During the senior year, art history majors conduct in-depth research on a specific topic and present their findings during a public slide lecture followed by a reception in the art gallery.

Experience in the Field

• In addition to the senior research project, art history majors present papers at the Augustana Research Fair, participate in research associated with the Paul A. Anderson Chair in the Arts and submit entries for publication in art gallery catalogues.
• Along with exposure to works of art in the Augustana College Art Collection, students have the opportunity to view additional works of art during field trips to the Art Institute of Chicago.
• Through Augustana's highly successful career internship program, students may apply for term- or year-long internships at major museums and art agencies.
• Many Augustana students also participate in the Augustana Foreign Term program. In these "traveling classrooms," students have studied art in London, Munich, Paris and Rome.

Career Options

• Colleges and universities
• Museums, galleries and art centers
• Art advocacy agencies and public and private foundations
• Slide libraries
• Auction houses
• Historic preservation organizations

Majors are encouraged to pursue graduate school to further their opportunities in the job market. All art history majors, who have worked with their advisor through the application process, have been successfully admitted to graduate programs in art history.

A complete guide to the Art History curriculum can be found in the Online Catalog.