Prospective Students
Students who study art history become curators, conservators, and software engineers, urban planners and professors, lawyers and journalists, museum educators and architects, among many other careers. Centered on the goal of helping students to better see and interpret the world they inhabit, the Art History Program provides a foundation for paths in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and well beyond. Our program is characterized by curricular flexibility, small class sizes, careful faculty mentorship, and deep interests that run from the ancient world to today, from objects small enough to hold in your hand to the cities we inhabit. With an interdisciplinary approach and connections to other departments across Swarthmore, we take full advantage of the resources and intellectual breadth possible in a liberal arts college, as well as the rich resources of the Philadelphia region, including world-class museums, galleries, artist studios, conservation laboratories, and the buildings and sites that make up the city’s landscape.
You may pursue the study of art and architectural history in our program through several routes: a major and minor in Art History, a major and minor in Architectural Studies (which includes the choice of a history or studio track, both of which include courses in history and studio), and honors options in each. If you are interested in museum careers, shaping the built environment, or just better understanding the intensely visual world you live in, we encourage you to read more about the courses we offer, our many events, the requirements for Art History and Architectural Studies majors and minors, our award-winning faculty, and the accomplishments of our alumni. You will find answers to common questions in our FAQ section. If you would like additional information or have further questions, we look forward to hearing from you.