Since the very beginning, humans have sought to express themselves by creating art. The story of humanity is embedded in its art, in the way people of another time, another culture, expressed their emotions, ideas, and values. Art historians dig into the past, helping us understand our world through the lens of art. You'll connect art history with aesthetics as you explore the great movements in art, architecture, and design. Discover art's relationship to the past and responsibility to the present. You'll develop a cultural eye, examining the historical, political, social, and personal forces that influence artists.
Yes, you'll do rigorous classroom work and research art, design, and visual chronology, but it doesn't stop there. Enhance your understanding of art processes and materials by taking studio classes. Attend presentations by guest contemporary artists, designers and art historians. Take on an internship at a major art institution. Open your world by traveling and studying abroad.
Current students can find links to the online Visual Resource Collection, Art History Writing Resources, resource links, and more at the Art History Program resource page »
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Art History / Studio
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Supportive Studio
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Drawing I (3)
The process of drawing as observation and conceptualization through eye-hand coordination. Emphasizes linear construction with concern for accurate proportion and simple positive-negative/figure-ground relationships. Includes an in-depth study of linear perspective. (Students who have earned FSU credit for VISC 112 Drawing I, may not use credit earned in KCDR 131 to meet graduation requirements.
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Drawing II (3)
Emphasis on development of convincing illusion of three-dimensional objects, through the combined use of line, value, proportion, and composition. This course focuses on the further refinement of the concepts, processes, and techniques introduced in Drawing I. Expanded exploration of perspective, composition, color investigation, media exploration, and idea development within traditional subject matter will be emphasized.
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Figure Drawing I (3)
Emphasizes gesture drawing, sighting the figure, basic compositional concerns, precise linear construction, and structural aspects of the figure. Anatomical focus is on the skeletal structure and its effect on surface form. Tonal construction introduced late in the semester.
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2-D Design (3)
A problem-solving course covering the principles of composition and modular design systems. Uses predominately abstract shapes and black, white, and achromatic gray ranges.(Students who have earned credit for VISC 110, Design I, may not use credit earned in KCPA 110 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Color (3)
A problem-solving course which studies the properties and interactions of color and its resulting perceptual effects in pictorial space.
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3-D Design (3)
To explore the elements, principles and aesthetic concepts integral to three-dimensional design and to consider relationships between concept, process, materials, tools and technical skills. (Students who have earned credit for ARTS 120, 3-D Design, may not use credit earned in KCSF 11 to meet graduation requirements.)
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General Education
Literature Elective (6)
Religion Elective (3)
Social Science Elective (6)
Math Elective (3)
Science Elective (3)
Philosophy Elective (3)
Mythology Elective (3)
Aesthetics Elective (3)
General Education Elective (3)
(At least 50% of GE courses must be 300 level or above.)-
Critical Transitions: Adjust (1)
An inquiry into the academic expectations, resources, policies, and traditions of college life. Students are challenged to enhance their intellectual potential, understand their academic responsibilities, personal integrity, and appreciate diversity in a framework that develops the critical thinking, learning, and communication skills necessary to contribute successfully to the college's intellectual life. An experiential learning component engages students in the community at large.
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Critical Transitions: Explore (1)
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Critical Transitions: Succeed (1)
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Written Rhetoric (3)
Focuses on using writing both to develop critical thinking skills and to express ideas clearly and appropriately according to audience and purpose. Students will engage in a variety of writing modes and will spend a portion of the semester engaging in scholarly research and the documentation of source-based materials. (Students who have earned credit for ENG 150, English I, may not use credit earned in KCHU 120 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Oral Rhetoric (3)
Presents concepts and develops oral and rhetorical skills appropriate for formal presentations, with emphasis on prepared, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking. (Students who have earned credit for COMM 121. Fundamentals of Public Speaking, may not use credit earned in KCHU 121 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Aesthetics (3)
An exploration of the philosophical nature of beauty, art, and taste.
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Mythology (3)
Examines world myths from ancient civilization to the present, including their individual and comparative values, their impact on knowledge and culture, and a reassessment of them in our contemporary world.
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Visual Rhetoric (3)
Focuses on the analysis of numerous forms of visual discourse, including their rhetorical effectiveness, impact on audiences, and social/cultural influences.
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Major Requirements
Non-Western Art History (6)
Focused Electives (12)
Focused Seminars (9)
Architecture Art Course (3)
American Art History (3)-
Western Art I-Prehist-Renais (3)
An overview of the Western Art tradition from prehistory through the Renaissance using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 110, Prehistoric through Middle Ages, may not use credit earned in KCAH 111 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Western Art II-Baroque-Present (3)
A survey of Western art from the Baroque to the present, this course will continue building upon the foundation of Western Art I; Prehistoric through the Renaissance, using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 111, Renaissance through 20th Century, may not use credit earned in KCAH 112 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Modern Art and Modernism (3)
An examination of the concept of Modernism and how it is expressed in Western art and architecture from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 310, History of Twentieth Century Art, may not use credit earned in KCAH 311.)
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Contemporary Art (3)
An indepth study of fine art and theory from 1960 to the present.
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Studio Electives
Studio Electives (12)
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Art History / Academic
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General Education
Literature Elective (6)
Social Science Elective (6)
Math Elective (3)
Science Elective (3)
Philosophy Elective (3)
Mythology Elective (3)
Religion Elective (3)
Aesthetics Elective (3)
General Education Elective (3)
(At least 50% of GE courses must be 300 level or above.)-
Critical Transitions: Adjust (1)
An inquiry into the academic expectations, resources, policies, and traditions of college life. Students are challenged to enhance their intellectual potential, understand their academic responsibilities, personal integrity, and appreciate diversity in a framework that develops the critical thinking, learning, and communication skills necessary to contribute successfully to the college's intellectual life. An experiential learning component engages students in the community at large.
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Critical Transitions: Explore (1)
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Critical Transitions: Succeed (1)
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Written Rhetoric (3)
Focuses on using writing both to develop critical thinking skills and to express ideas clearly and appropriately according to audience and purpose. Students will engage in a variety of writing modes and will spend a portion of the semester engaging in scholarly research and the documentation of source-based materials. (Students who have earned credit for ENG 150, English I, may not use credit earned in KCHU 120 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Oral Rhetoric (3)
Presents concepts and develops oral and rhetorical skills appropriate for formal presentations, with emphasis on prepared, extemporaneous, and impromptu speaking. (Students who have earned credit for COMM 121. Fundamentals of Public Speaking, may not use credit earned in KCHU 121 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Aesthetics (3)
An exploration of the philosophical nature of beauty, art, and taste.
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Mythology (3)
Examines world myths from ancient civilization to the present, including their individual and comparative values, their impact on knowledge and culture, and a reassessment of them in our contemporary world.
-
Visual Rhetoric (3)
Focuses on the analysis of numerous forms of visual discourse, including their rhetorical effectiveness, impact on audiences, and social/cultural influences.
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Major Requirements
Non-Western Art History (6)
Focused Electives (12)
Focused Seminars (9)
Architecture Art Course (3)
American Art History (3)-
Western Art I-Prehist-Renais (3)
An overview of the Western Art tradition from prehistory through the Renaissance using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 110, Prehistoric through Middle Ages, may not use credit earned in KCAH 111 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Western Art II-Baroque-Present (3)
A survey of Western art from the Baroque to the present, this course will continue building upon the foundation of Western Art I; Prehistoric through the Renaissance, using a socio-cultural methodology in a chronological framework. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 111, Renaissance through 20th Century, may not use credit earned in KCAH 112 to meet graduation requirements.)
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Modern Art and Modernism (3)
An examination of the concept of Modernism and how it is expressed in Western art and architecture from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. (Students who have earned credit for ARTH 310, History of Twentieth Century Art, may not use credit earned in KCAH 311.)
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Contemporary Art (3)
An indepth study of fine art and theory from 1960 to the present.
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Historic Preservation or GE Minor
Electives (15)
(All GE minor courses must be at the 200 level or above.) -
General Education Minor, GE or Studio Electives
GE Minor, GE or Studio Electives (15)
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Download the catalog for the most recent course listings and prerequisites.
Karen Carter Ph.D.
Suzanne Eberle Ph.D.
Anne Norcross M.A.
Laura J. Whatley Ph.D.
Educator, gallery or museum curator, art critic, art/antique dealer, art librarian, appraiser, archivist.
The Art History program has an extensive Visual Resource collection of slides and digital images which are used in teaching. In addition, students pursuing research at Kendall's library have full access to holdings at the Ferris State University library as well as all other Michigan libraries (including inter-library loans).
More in our Facilities Directory
