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Art History

American River College's Art History degree is designed to give students the foundation in art history necessary for transfer to a four-year college or university, and is also useful to those hoping to have a specialization in related fields such as art, history, archaeology, or anthropology. Coursework includes a range of survey classes in art history, as well as a choice between 2-D and 3-D fine arts electives.

The Art Department at American River College also offers students opportunities for enrichment including complimentary museum field trips, rotating exhibitions at the Kaneko Gallery on campus, and artist talks and demonstrations. Art history students who hope to pursue careers in gallery or museum work can take advantage of our related Gallery Certificate program to receive specialized training, and can apply for relevant local internships to further expand their experiences.

Degrees Offered

A.A.-T. in Art History

Dean Corinne Arrieta Katzorke
Department Chair Patricia Wood
Phone (916) 484-8570
Email AskHB-Arts@arc.losrios.edu

Associate Degree for Transfer

A.A.-T. in Art History

The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer (AA-T) provides students with a major that fulfills the general requirements for transfer to a California State University. Students with this degree will receive priority admission with junior status to the California State University system. Students should work closely with their American River College counselor to ensure that they are taking the appropriate coursework to prepare for majoring in Art History at the institution they wish to transfer to because major and general education requirements may vary for each CSU and the degree may only transfer to specific institutions.

Students must complete the following Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) requirements (pursuant to SB1440, §66746):
• 60 semester or 90 quarter CSU-transferable units
• the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) pattern
• a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units in the major or area of emphasis as determined by the community college district
• obtain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0

All ADTs also require that students must earn a “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A "P" (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis.

Catalog Date: August 1, 2026

Degree Requirements

Course Code	Course Title	Units
Required Core:
ARTH C1100	Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era	3
ARTH 308	Renaissance Tradition in Art	3
ARTH 310	Modern Art	3
ART 300	Drawing and Composition I	3
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ARTH 322	Art History of the Non-Western World (3)
ARTH 333	Introduction to Islamic Art (3)
ARTH 334	International Contemporary Art (3)
List A, Further Preparation in Art History:
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3¹
ARTH 318	History of American Art (3)
ARTH 322	Art History of the Non-Western World (3)
ARTH 333	Introduction to Islamic Art (3)
ARTH 334	International Contemporary Art (3)
ARTH 335	Survey of Photography (3)
List B, Studio Arts:
A minimum of 3 units from the following:		3
ART 302	Drawing and Composition II (3)
ART 304	Figure Drawing I (3)
ART 305	Figure Drawing II (3)
ART 306	Facial Expression and Anatomy (3)
or ARTNM 320	Facial Expression and Anatomy (3)
ART 312	Portrait Drawing (3)
ART 314	Introduction to Illustration (3)
or ARTNM 370	Introduction to Illustration (3)
ART 320	Design: Fundamentals (3)
ART 323	Design: Color Theory (3)
ART 324	Collage and Assemblage (3)
ART 327	Painting I (3)
ART 328	Painting II (3)
ART 329	Painting III (3)
ART 330	Mural Painting (3)
ART 336	Watercolor Painting (3)
ART 337	Intermediate Watercolor Painting (3)
ART 361	Printmaking: Survey (3)
ART 370	Three Dimensional Design (3)
ART 372	Sculpture (3)
ART 373	Intermediate Sculpture (3)
ART 375	Figure Sculpture (3)
ART 390	Ceramics (3)
ART 391	Intermediate Ceramics (3)
ARTNM 303	Graphic Design: Typography (3)
ARTNM 322	Beginning Digital Art (3)
ARTNM 324	Digital Design (3)
ARTNM 405	Digital 2D Animation (3)
ARTPH 300	Basic Film and Darkroom Photography (3)
ARTPH 305	Digital Photography (3)
ARTPH 360	Studio Lighting (3)
Total Units:		21

¹Courses that appear in multiple lists can be used to satisfy only one list's requirements.

The Associate in Arts in Art History for Transfer (AA-T) degree may be obtained by completion of 60 transferable, semester units with a minimum 2.0 GPA, including (a) the major or area of emphasis described in the Required Program, and (b) the California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC) Requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, the student will be able to:

assess and evaluate the contributions of artists throughout history.
identify and evaluate works of art or architecture according to their appropriate style and time frame.
analyze and critique art and architecture within the context of their functions and meanings.
research and assess theoretical information concerning the meanings and purposes of art and architecture.
explain the history of cultures and civilizations and how art and architecture is a reflection of that history.

Career Information

Art historians with undergraduate degrees are placed as registrars, preparators, and curatorial staff in art museums and galleries; they can also be employed as art critics in mass media publications, such as newspapers and magazines. An advanced degree allows an art historian a wider range of possible career applications, including museums directorships, curators, instructors, preservationists, researchers, and auction house personnel.

Art History (ARTH) Courses

ARTH 300 Art Appreciation

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC (ARTH 300 & 480 combined: maximum credit - one course)
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
C-ID:C-ID ARTH 100
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a survey of the history and analysis of the visual arts, including drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, and additional media. It offers a foundation for understanding art across time and in diverse cultures. Field trips to art galleries or museums may be required.

ARTH C1100 Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
C-ID:C-ID ARTH 110
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course was formerly known as ARTH 302 Art: Stone Age Through the Middle Ages.

This course introduces students to visual art and architecture from prehistory to the medieval era with a focus on art from Europe, North Africa, and the Near East. The course will further consider global interactions involving these regions. This course was formerly known as ARTH 302 and is not open to students who have already completed ARTH 302.

ARTH 308 Renaissance Tradition in Art

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
C-ID:Part of C-ID ARTH 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a study of painting, sculpture, and architecture of European cultures from the 14th century early Renaissance to the late Baroque period. Outstanding art works of each major period are discussed, analyzed, and placed within historical context. A field trip to an art museum or art gallery may be required.

ARTH 310 Modern Art

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
C-ID:C-ID ARTH 150; Part of C-ID ARTH 120
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st century art forms including painting, sculpture, and architecture in Europe and America. It addresses styles including Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, and the major movements of the 20th century. Postmodern art is also discussed. A field trip to an art museum or art gallery may be required.

ARTH 318 History of American Art

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course covers art in America from initial European contact to the present day. Topics include initial images of the New World made by Europeans; early art and architecture that reflects a synthesis of Native and European traditions; Colonial and early American art, architecture, and decorative arts; 19th-century portraits, landscapes, and history paintings; and regional and later modernist American art of the twentieth century. This course emphasizes the influence of European traditions as well as the history of a variety of cultures in the present day United States, the variety of styles and patrons in the country, and the way in which cultural values find expression in art, architecture, and decorative arts. An individual or group field trip to a museum or art gallery is required.

ARTH 322 Art History of the Non-Western World

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is a survey of art history throughout India, Africa, the Americas, the Arctic, Australia, and Oceania. It covers the architecture, sculpture, and painting of the peoples in these parts of the world. The time period spans from the Stone Age to the 18th century. Field trips and/or individual visits to art galleries and museums are required.

ARTH 333 Introduction to Islamic Art

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course surveys the art and culture of the Muslim World. It examines the problematic nature of the term "Islamic," as well as the art and architecture and provides fundamental information on the formation of the art, its history, and philosophy. It includes, but is not limited to, visual examples from Arabic, North African, Persian, Indian, and Asian cultures.

ARTH 334 International Contemporary Art

Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a worldwide survey of trends in art, including painting, sculpture, and architecture since 1980, with an emphasis on the diversity of contemporary global cultures. New art mediums, such as video, computer, street art, and performance art are highlighted. This course focuses on social and political commentary in art. A field trip to a local art exhibition may be required.

ARTH 335 Survey of Photography

Same As:ARTPH 345
Units:3
Hours:54 hours LEC
Prerequisite:None.
Advisory:Eligibility for ENGL C1000/C1000H (formerly ENGWR 300/480) or ESLW 340
Transferable:CSU; UC
General Education:Local GE L3; Cal-GETC Area 3A
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This course is a survey of photography. It explores the evolution of the photographic medium, its impact on art, culture, and history from the inception of photography to current trends. This survey covers various genres, including fine art, journalism, science, and social media. Field trips may be required. This course is not open to students who have completed ARTPH 345.

ARTH 499 Experimental Offering in Art History

Units:0.5 - 4
Prerequisite:None.
Transferable:CSU
Catalog Date:August 1, 2026

This is the experimental courses description.