Art Minors
There are two art minor specializations: art history and art studio.
Minor in Art History
View the art history specialization academic profile.
Statement of Purpose
The mission of the art history program at SIUE is to foster the study of art and architecture both as expressions of human creativity and as uniquely informative historical documents. Through such investigations, students gain a greater aesthetic appreciation of art, a deeper understanding of its purposes in different times and places, and comprehension of the overall development of human culture through the ages.
The learning objectives of the art history program are as follows:
- an understanding of broad historical traditions in the visual arts
- specialized knowledge in one or more specific areas in the field of art history
- an ability to think critically and reason logically in written and verbal analysis of the visual arts
- an understanding of the cultural and social value of the study and practice of the visual arts
Curricular Structure
Students pursuing a minor in art history must complete the following degree requirements:
- History of Western Art Survey (ART 225a and ART 225b): 6 credits
- Art History Electives (three 400-level courses): 12 credits
- ART 424: Baroque and Rococo Art
- ART 447a,b: Ancient Art
- ART 448: Early Christian and Medieval Art
- ART 449: Italian Renaissance Art
- ART 451: Northern Renaissance Art
- ART 467: Islamic Art and Architecture
- ART 468a,b: Native Arts of the Americas
- ART 469a,b: Primitive Art - Africa and Oceania
- ART 470: Topics in Art History (repeatable to 9 hours)
- ART 471: Topics in Early Modern Art
- ART 472: Topics in Modern Art
- ART 473: Women in Art
- ART 474: Topics in Public Art
- ART 475: History of Photography
- ART 476: History of Modern Architecture & Design
- ART 480: American Art
- ART 481: Modern Art
- ART 482: Contemporary Art
- ART 483: Research in Art History
- ART 485: Art History Methods and Research
Total Degree Requirement: 18 credit hours
The required number of credits is currently in line with other comparable university minors in the College of Arts and Sciences, such as history, theater and dance, and English.
Through their completion of the general introductory courses and the more advanced courses required of the minor, students will be exposed to methods of art historical research, theory and criticism; improve their writing and critical thinking skills; and participate actively in art historical research.
The pursuit of this minor enhances the understanding of a number of related disciplines including history, music, theatre and dance, mass communications, and anthropology.
Assessment and Evaluation
As students progress through the minor, they are assessed via a wide range of assignments, including exams, oral presentations and various types of written assignments. These are designed to test students' visual knowledge, analytical and critical thinking skills, ability to integrate and apply knowledge, and ability to express themselves verbally and in written form. Every course offered in the art history program includes a significant writing requirement, ranging from museum-based papers to critical essays to semester-long research assignments. Students must receive passing grades in all of their courses when pursuing this minor.
Program Success
Anecdotal evidence suggests that students earning a minor in art history have successfully transferred the skills acquired in these classes to their chosen majors or fields. Traditionally, the art history minors have been drawn largely from the art studio majors, as only two additional upper level courses are required for the minor past the major requirements, although majors in Historical Studies, English, and Philosophy among others, are among recent art history minors. A stated goal of the art history faculty is to increase that number of minors, not only among art studio majors, but outside the department as well.
Minor in Art Studio
View the art studio specialization academic profile.
Statement of Purpose
The Department of Art and Design is committed to providing the student choosing to minor in art studio with basic artistic skills and art historical knowledge. The ability to comprehend and appreciate past and present artistic movements and produce introductory level artwork in a competent manner is the primary goal for this degree.
Curricular Structure:
Students pursuing the minor in art studio degree must complete the following requirements:
- Foundation Studios (ART 112a,-required): 3 credits
- Foundation Studio in TRACK of interest (ART 112b, 112d): 3 credits
- Intro Studio Course work (2 classes from Track (2-D, 3-D, Digital): 6 credits
- Advanced Studio in Track (300/400) (2 classes): 6 credits
Total Degree Requirement: 18 credit hours
Developing Competencies
Upon completion of the minor, students have gained a basic level of understanding and skill pertaining to the formal and conceptual skills of producing two- and three-dimensional artworks. The ability to successfully compose on a two-dimensional surface and in space as well as executing convincing drawings based on perception and visualization are the major learning experiences of this minor. This is supplemented by exposure to general knowledge of the history of world art from the past through the 21st century.
The pursuit of this minor enhances the understanding of a number of related disciplines including music, theatre and dance, mass communication, and anthropology. The ability to produce images from perception and invention helps one to understand and navigate the visual and imagined world. The knowledge of past art historical achievements enriches and enhances one's appreciation and understanding of the development of human culture through the ages.
Assessment and Evaluation
As students progress through the minor, they are assessed via numerous art projects as well as oral presentations and written assignments. The ability to think critically and creatively concerning artistic and art historical concepts is an important learning goal for the minor in art studio, in addition to the development of artistic skills. Students must receive passing grades in all of their courses when pursuing this minor.
Program Success
Historically, students earning a minor in art studio have successfully transferred and parlayed the skills acquired in these classes to their chosen majors or fields. Most recently, one of our former art studio minors has gained local and regional acclaim as a playwright and will be expanding his theatre work to a national level.
