BA in Art History in Harrisonburg United States | James Madison University

The Art History curriculum provides every student with the chance to explore visual arts within their cultural and societal frameworks. The program features regular courses covering Western art traditions (from Europe and America) across all historical periods, alongside African Art and other non-Western disciplines.

Participants will develop skills in describing, evaluating, and understanding both the aesthetic qualities and meanings of artworks. The curriculum introduces foundational theories of art history, analytical approaches, and critical evaluation methods.

Students will also acquire practical experience in art historical research and academic writing. A key objective of the program is fostering global awareness and cross-cultural understanding among students.

Those pursuing Art History degrees are strongly recommended to engage in summer internships at cultural institutions like museums, historic sites, and galleries, as well as participate in JMU's year-round international study opportunities. The program promotes cross-disciplinary learning in humanities and welcomes students pursuing dual majors in related subjects. JMU's art history professors bring diverse specializations across historical periods and enthusiastically mentor students in independent research, honors projects, and curatorial initiatives.