Art Major

Major Requirements

A major in art may be earned through either: 1) art studio emphasis plan 2) art history emphasis plan or 3) dual degree architecture program.

Art Studio Emphasis Plan

Requirements consist of 12 courses: ART 130 ; ART 160 ; ART 161 ; ART 488 ; one from ART 233 , ART 234 , ART 236 , ART 334 or ART 369 ; one from ART 131 or ART 235 ; one from ART 239 or ART 367 ; one from level II studio ART 370 , ART 371 , ART 372 , ART 373 , or ART 374 ; three elective courses from the studio art curriculum; one 200- level art history elective (modern/contemporary recommended).

The senior capstone requirement for the art studio emphasis plan is satisfied by Senior Studio Seminar (ART 488 ) and the final comprehensive exhibition.

Art History Emphasis Plan

Requirements consist of 12 courses including: ART 149 ; ART 160 ; ART 161 ; ART 170 or ART 171 ; ART 487 ; five courses selected from ART 252 , ART 257 , ART 259 , ART 263 , ART 264 , ART 265 , or ART 328 ; two studio courses selected from ART 130 , ART 131 , ART 233 , ART 234 , ART 235 , ART 236 , ART 334 , ART 239 , ART 367 , ART 369 . An oral presentation of art history research paper on topic approved by the art history faculty is also required in the senior year.

The senior capstone requirement for the art history emphasis plan is satisfied by the ART 487 - Art History Methodology Seminar during which students write their 25-30 page research paper and public oral presentation at the end of the academic year.

Those students who are not able to complete the capstone requirement in the fall of their senior year must register for a 2-credit independent study course in the spring semester of their senior year to complete the requirement.

Dual Degree Architecture Program

Under the agreement with Washington University’s School of Architecture in St. Louis, students may complete three years at Macalester before transferring to Washington University for a senior year of accelerated architectural study, leading to a B.A. from Macalester. Three years of graduate study at Washington University then leads to a master’s in architecture.

Art majors considering a dual degree option in architecture are required to take nine courses in the art department: ART 130 , ART 234 , ART 235 , ART 149 , ART 160 , ART 161 , ART 239 , ART 367 and ART 370 . A final comprehensive exhibition or project is required at the end of the junior year. Two additional courses in the sciences are also required.

Non-art majors participating in a dual degree option in architecture should take a total of six courses in the art department: ART 130 , ART 235 , ART 239 , ART 367 , plus art history courses ART 160 and ART 161 . Two additional courses in the sciences are also required.