Art history provides a humanistic foundation for understanding the visual arts.

Emphasis is placed on the social, political, historical and religious contexts of art while also analyzing the form and style of artworks.

Theoretical and critical literature on interpreting art is an important part of the field, with contributions often coming from fields such as:

history
anthropology
philosophy
archaeology
literature
philosophy
sociology
religious studies
The discipline requires the development of critical writing and research skills.

With the B.A. degree in art history, there are opportunities in a wide variety of art and art-related fields.

Graduates with a major in art history find work in:

art galleries
public art centers
art libraries
stores dealing with artworks
And, qualify for art-oriented positions such as:

buyers
consultants
tourism industries
entry-level jobs with art publications
auction houses
museums
The major also provides an excellent preparation for students planning to pursue a professional or graduate program, including:

arts management
museum studies
historic preservation
conservation
journalism
library
information sciences
An M.A. in art history sometimes prepares the student for teaching in community or junior colleges. However, a Ph.D. is necessary for teaching and research positions in colleges and universities, and is increasingly required for museum work.