Art History

Art history at Stern College for Women teaches students about the historical development and cultural significance of painting, sculpture, architecture, photography and other forms of art. A strong appreciation for the history, aesthetics and technical processes of artistic production form the core of this program of study.

Within the liberal arts curriculum at Stern College for Women, this major is designed to deepen students' skills of visual and critical interpretation, and to prepare them for arts-related careers in teaching, professional writing, commercial enterprise, publishing and museums.

The 34-credit major gives students a strong foundation in the field—Western and non-Western, from ancient to modern. Students acquire an intensive knowledge of the key developments in each era, as well as familiarity with the conceptual framework of the discipline.

The program places a strong emphasis on firsthand exposure to and study of art, taking advantage of our prime Manhattan location. We integrate museum and site visits into all classes and design upper-level lectures and seminars around key local exhibitions and collections.

In addition, the program reflects Yeshiva University's unique character by offering classes that focus on significant Jewish themes and movements.

Mission Statement

The Art History program at Stern College for Women provides students with a broad understanding of the nature, meaning and social function of the visual arts, including their historic development, technical processes, and relationships to other humanistic disciplines. The Art History program engages students through rigorous and critical analysis and interpretation of art from across history and around the world. The program enriches students’ capacity to appreciate and understand world culture and provides them with skills for their personal and professional development.

Program Goals

1. Students will be able to develop a familiarity with a wide range of artistic objects, monuments and movements within the Western and non-Western traditions.
2. Students will be able to develop a fluency in the visual characterization of works of art and to analyze the formal properties of works of art with sensitivity and attention to process and artistic intent.
3. Students will be able to connect works of art to their broader social, historical and cultural context and to recognize unifying principles and themes within the works of distinct eras and civilizations.
4. Students will be able to engage with a diverse range of interpretations around works of art, to critically assess scholarly interpretations of works of art and to appreciate their methodological approaches.
5. Students will be able to cultivate a richer and deeper appreciation for the human condition and its greatest manifestations through exposure to and study of art’s historical development.

Course Catalog

For more information, please contact Program Head, Dr. Jacob Wisse wisse@yu.edu.