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 149 , ART 160 , ART 161 , ART 488 ; one from ART 234 , ART 236 , ART 334 or ART 369 ; one from ART 232 , ART 235 , ART 237 or ART 238 ; one from ART 366 or ART 367 ; one from ART 370 , ART 371 , ART 372 , ART 373 , ART 374 or ART 378 ; one elective course from the art curriculum, and two from theater and dance, music, or literature. A final comprehensive exhibition is also required in the senior year.

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 , and ART 487 plus five courses selected from ART 194 , ART 252 , ART 259 , ART 263 , ART 265 , ART 270 or ART 294 ; two courses selected from ART 232 , ART 235 , ART 237 , ART 238 or ART 367 ; ART 130 , ART 234 , ART 236 , ART 334 , ART 366 or ART 369 . An oral presentation of a research paper on an art history topic approved by the department 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 and the oral art history presentation.

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 366, 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 366 , ART 367 , plus art history courses ART 160 and ART 261. Two additional courses in the sciences are also required.