The Department of Music and Art offers the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program in the Art Foundations – Art History concentration. Art History majors take courses in major historical periods as well as the arts of diverse areas of the world. A thesis course guides students to a final comprehensive research paper.
As New York City is a major cultural center with no less than 145 museums (as of 2023) and countless art galleries, there are numerous opportunities to explore art outside the classroom. Our faculty includes established art history scholars who have organized and participated in colloquiums, some held here at BMCC.
Transfer Options
BMCC has active articulation agreements for graduates with the A.A. in Art History and the A.S. in Studio Art with Queens College–CUNY. These agreements allow students to make a seamless transition to four year colleges, assured that the courses they have taken at BMCC will count towards their major.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with an advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Contact
Professor Sarah Madole Lewis
Program Coordinator
smadole@bmcc.cuny.edu
Related Communities
This program is offered in-person, online and in a hybrid format.
Requirements
Art Foundations: Art History Academic Program Maps
Required Common Core
| English Composition | 6 |
| Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 3 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED COMMON CORE | 12 |
Flexible Core
| Creative Expression | 6 |
| Individual and Society | 3 |
| Scientific World | 3 |
| U.S. Experience in Its Diversity | 3 |
| World Cultures and Global Issues | 3 |
| TOTAL FLEXIBLE COMMON CORE | 18 |
| TOTAL COMMON CORE | 30 |
Curriculum Requirements
- Using a global approach, this introduction to art history includes the study of painting, sculpture, architecture and other media by surveying the Renaissance through the start of the twentieth century. The exploration of techniques, media, composition, and figure representation will provide an understanding of key concepts in the arts with additional focus on the historical and social context, which developed the meaning and changing styles in different cultures as well as the effects of cultural exchange through the arts.
- This introduction to Modern and Contemporary art history includes the study of painting, sculpture, architecture and other media by surveying the development and evolution of artistic styles using a global approach. Emphasis will be placed on groundbreaking artistic movements in context to their historical framework. Students will learn the importance of innovative practices, techniques and new avenues of exploration, by understanding the socio-political and cultural events that influenced artists to create groundbreaking works, which have led the way to Contemporary Art.
- This capstone course for Art History Majors covers a range of topics relating to the pursuit of careers in the arts. Students will develop a topic and complete a comprehensive research paper for presentation. During the semester, students will take part in museum visits, gallery tours, and attend talks by professionals in the field of art history to develop an understanding of the opportunities for art historians. Prerequisite: Departmental permission
Notes
Please note, these requirements are effective the 2019-2020 catalog year. Please check your DegreeWorks account for your specific degree requirements as when you began at BMCC will determine your program requirements.
