Program Summary
ART HISTORY AND PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES - Associate in Arts
2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 - 2025
The A.A. Degree in Art History and Professional Practices prepares students to transfer to colleges and universities, enter an arts management career, or Fine Arts students may pursue this degree concurrently with an art studio degree to enhance their understanding of their creative process in a broad historical context and to prepare for gallery representation and exhibition of their work.
Art History is the study of visual art from prehistory to the present. It places emphasis on the visual language, historical context, cultural values, techniques, materials, and technological changes in the history of art and architecture. The Art History and Professional Practices program provides students with a core curriculum that will prepare them with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in the study of Art History and the curatorial, business, and installation aspects of exhibiting art. Students will develop skills for critical and analytical thinking, perceptive reading and observation, and interpretive analysis.
Career Opportunities
Required Courses (6 courses; 18 credits):
Units: 18.0
A total of 24 credits are required for the degree. A minimum of 9 credits in Art must be earned at Cuesta College.
ART 202
INTRODUCTION TO MUSEUM PRACTICES
3.0
ART 203
SURVEY OF WESTERN ART HISTORY: PREHISTORY THROUGH THE MIDDLE AGES
3.0
ART 204
SURVEY OF WESTERN ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO CONTEMPORARY
3.0
ART 205
SURVEY OF ART HISTORY: MODERNISM THROUGH CONTEMPORARY
3.0
ART 295
ART GALLERY
3.0
3.0
ART 207
LATIN AMERICAN ART HISTORY I: ANCIENT
3.0
OR
ART 208
SURVEY OF MEXICAN ART HISTORY II: COLONIAL TO CONTEMPORARY
3.0
OR
ART 209
ART OF AFRICA, OCEANIA, AND INDIGENOUS NORTH AMERICA
3.0
OR
ART 210
SURVEY OF ASIAN ART HISTORY
3.0
OR
ART 211
SURVEY OF AFRICAN ART HISTORY
3.0
Two courses (6 credits) chosen from the following:
Units: 6.0
ART 220
FUNDAMENTALS OF 2-D DESIGN
3.0
ART 221
DRAWING I
3.0
ART 249A
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY I
3.0
ART 255
ILLUSTRATOR: VECTOR GRAPHICS AND ILLUSTRATION
3.0
ART 256
FOUNDATION OF DIGITAL IMAGING ART
3.0
ART 259
INTERACTION DESIGN I
3.0
ART 266
GRAPHIC DESIGN
3.0
ART 268
TYPOGRAPHY
3.0
ART 270
FUNDAMENTALS OF 3-D DESIGN
3.0
ART 280
CERAMICS I: INTRODUCTION TO CERAMICS
3.0
Total: 24.0
Program Outcomes
Recognize and describe major developments and representative works of art and architecture in western art from prehistory through contemporary periods.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Write about art historical movements, individual artists, and art exhibitions employing relevant terminology and vocabulary.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Analyze and differentiate works of art and architecture in terms of historical context, cultural values, visual language and aesthetic innovation.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Recognize and describe the formal and conceptual aspects of works of art, including the elements and principles of design and specific iconography.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum studies and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Recognize and describe the artistic traditions and representative works of art and architecture in non-western art including India, Asia, Pre-Columbian America, and Africa.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Describe and analyze the mission and functions of art museums, as well as the professional roles involved in working in museums.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program and participation in the Museum Practices course are used for assessment and assessment documentation.
Apply professional practices in the installation of art exhibitions.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Participation in the gallery course is used for assessment.
Assess career opportunities in arts management.
A survey is given in art history courses to identify all majors and potential majors. Writing samples from art history, museum practices and gallery classes from this identified pool are collected and kept in individual files. Writing samples of candidates that have progressed through the program and participation in the Gallery and Museum Practices courses are used for assessment and assessment documentation.