University of Pittsburgh
  UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]


SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS


HISTORY OF ART AND ARCHITECTURE (HA&A)

Art, like science or language, is an intrinsically human way of organizing our experience of the world. Because it appeals to a fundamental sense of order, art can speak to us with immediacy even without knowledge of the purposes for which it was created and the particular principles or order adhered to by the artists of a given culture. Still deeper understanding may follow, however, from an awareness of these purposes and principles, and courses in art history are concerned with the study of art and architecture as cultural documents of the values and ideals of various cultures. Art history offers an opportunity to consider objects and environments that have been created in response to some of humanity's loftiest and most basic aims. The requirement that these visual expressions be analyzed and evaluated in the medium of words makes art history a rewarding area of humanistic study. The major in the history of art and architecture offered by the HA&A department helps prepare individuals for careers calling for skills in writing, where description and analysis play important roles, as well as for careers more immediately related to art, such as those of critic, teacher, librarian, art administration, or museum or gallery staff member.

The architectural studies major, also administered by the HA&A department, offers a curriculum devoted to the study of human-made environments. The major components include history of architecture, studio arts, and a core curriculum which includes a survey of the history of architecture, the history of architecture theory, a professional internship, and a portfolio. The degree is suitable for a wide variety of careers and professions including the design and construction of the built environment, such as landscape architecture, interior design, restoration, historic preservation, real estate development, and contracting. These interests can be categorized in two groups:

  • The preprofessional studies category prepares students for graduate professional training in any of the environmental design fields (architecture, interior design, landscape design, urban planning, and preservation). Students are able to explore a professional interest while acquiring a liberal arts education.
  • The nonprofessional studies category is for students not interested in becoming professional architects. This program offers a rigorous curriculum that assists students in exploring their interest in environmental arts and criticism, and provides an understanding of the environment's integral relationship with society and culture.

Students of both categories should be fully aware that this degree in architectural studies does not in itself constitute professional or technical training. Students seeking recommendations to graduate professional programs in architecture must complete the following courses or their equivalent: MATH 0220 and 0230 (Analytic Geometry and Calculus I and II) and PHYS 0104 and 0105 (Basic Physics for Science and Engineering I and II). These courses should be completed by the end of the junior year. Students who do not expect to pursue a career in architecture may substitute course sequences in mathematics, statistics, or computer science for the calculus prerequisite and in other natural sciences for the physics prerequisite.

For more information on these majors and the History of Art and Architecture department, see http://www.pitt.edu/~arthome/.

  • History of Art and Architecture Major Requirements

    Students majoring in HA&A have the option of pursuing the standard program or the intensive program. Course requirements vary as follows:

    • Standard Program

      The standard major consists of 24 credits in HA&A, including at least one course from three of the following five areas:

      • Non-Western
      • Ancient Asian or Medieval
      • Renaissance/Baroque
      • 18th-century/Modern
      • Two upper-division HA&A courses numbered 1000 or above. It is recommended, but not required, that students elect HA&A 1010 (Undergraduate Research Seminar) in the sophomore or junior year.

      Because of the minimum number of courses required, the major is especially suitable as an area of study for students with strong interests in related fields or as a double major for students concentrating in one such field (e.g., studio arts, French, psychology, or various pre-professional programs).

    • Intensive Program

      The intensive program consists of a minimum of 30 credits in HA&A courses, including the three courses distributed among the five areas described above. Also required are four upper-division HA&A courses numbered 1000 or above, including specifically HA&A 1010 (Undergraduate Research Seminar). Most majors in the intensive program also take HA&A 1901 (a departmental internship) in their final term.

      Other requirements and rules for all HA&A majors are as follows:
      • A QPA of at least 2.00 in all department courses is required for graduation with a major in HA&A.
      • Any of the following may prove useful for the required 12-credit CAS related area: ancient or modern languages (especially recommended by the department), philosophy (particularly aesthetics), cultural and intellectual history, studio arts, music, anthropology and sociology, and psychology of perception.
      • There is no language requirement beyond that required by CAS, but a reading competency in a foreign language is desirable for some field course readings. If a student's high school language preparation does not provide this competency, he or she should consult the art history advisor concerning preferred languages.
      • With the exception of HA&A 1010 (Approaches to Art History), courses for the major should not be taken on the S/N option, and credit by examination is not normally available.
      • Students electing the HA&A intensive program who have at least a 3.25 overall QPA and a 3.50 QPA in HA&A may qualify for departmental honors by enrolling in and completing HA&A 1950 (Senior Thesis) with a grade of A or B. The intensive program, in conjunction with the senior thesis, is especially recommended for students planning to do graduate work.

  • Architectural Studies Major Requirements

    The architectural studies major requires the completion of 36 credits. The outline of course requirements listed below is intended for students who expect to pursue a career in architecture. For others, some substitutions may be made in consultation with the Director of Architectural Studies. In practice, each student's major will be designed to serve his or her own individual needs and career goals, but the following description will be used as the model:

    • Core Courses (12 credits) in HA&A
      • HA&A 0040 (Introduction to Architecture, to be taken no later than the first term of the junior year)
      • HA&A 1040 (History of Architecture Theory)
      • HA&A 1900 (Internship)
      • HA&A 1915 (Portfolio, to be taken in the senior year)

    • Visual Skills Courses in Studio Arts (12 credits)
      • SA 0110 (Foundation Design)
      • SA 0140 (Foundation Sculpture)
      • SA 0130 (Foundation Drawing)
      • SA 1430 (Foundation Perspective Drawing)

    • History of Architecture (12 credits, with at least six credits at the 1000 level to be chosen from the following list)
      • HA&A 0080
      • HA&A 0440
      • HA&A 0450
      • HA&A 1160
      • HA&A 1220
      • HA&A 1235
      • HA&A 1240
      • HA&A 1250
      • HA&A 1305
      • HA&A 1306
      • HA&A 1408
      • HA&A 1480
      • HA&A 1510
      • HA&A 1530
      • HA&A 1531
      • HA&A 1600
      • HA&A 1880
      • HA&A 1910

    • In addition, architectural studies majors must adhere to the following rules and requirements:
      • Students must maintain a minimum 2.00 QPA in major courses. However, a QPA of 2.75 or higher is required for an internship and for graduate school recommendation.
      • Only HA&A 1900 and HA&A 1915 may be taken on an S/N basis by majors.
      • For the required 12 credits in a related area, the department recommends studio arts or history of art and architecture beyond the credits required for the major, history, anthropology, mathematics, or any natural science.

  • Certificate in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architectural Studies (for Architectural Studies Majors)

    This certificate, designed for architectural studies majors, is offered through the School of Engineering. See the School of Engineering's section of this bulletin for information on the requirements to complete this certificate.






  UNDERGRADUATE BULLETIN 1999 - 2002 [ Previous Page | Table of Contents | Next Page ]