Students interested in examining history through the lens of paintings, sculptures, film, architecture, graphics, and decorative arts will find Art History to be an ideal major. Throughout time, humans have expressed their emotions, beliefs, and ideals through these mediums, and today's students can use these objects to understand culture, society, politics, economies, and religions and apply the lessons learned to modern issues.
What can you do with an Art History minor? The answer turns out to be quite a bit.
Alumni follow a variety of career paths, and their skills are applicable to many types of jobs. Popular careers include teacher or professor, museum or gallery curator, art dealer, arts administrator, art appraiser, and historic preservation consultant, some of which require education beyond a bachelor's degree. Other students choose to branch out into related fields that require a broad knowledge of culture and communication such as journalism, law, marketing, administration, interior design, photography, library science, and cultural/heritage studies.
Much of what happens after college depends on what a student does during college. A student who wants to work in a gallery should ensure the s/he gains hands-on experience during college through internships, volunteer work, and part-time jobs. Experiential learning is critical - it grounds what a student learns in the classroom with the real world.
Students who are more interested in the production of art (such as becoming a film maker or artist) should explore the majors offered through UWM's Peck School of the Arts.
Requirements
Students should declare the minor in art history after they have completed 15 degree credits, and before they have earned 75 degree credits. A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all Art History courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA in all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. It requires at least 18 credits in the department, including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture | 3 |
| Select 9 credits in ARTHIST at the 300 level or above in residence at UWM | 9 | |
| Select 3 additional credits in ARTHIST | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department’s website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a UWM college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at UWM yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first UWM classes and then can declare the minor using the “Declare a Minor” button on the program’s website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact let-sci@uwm.edu.