Recognizing the importance of a geographically and temporally diverse base of knowledge, the undergraduate programs require students to study a wide range of aesthetic production, while still allowing for a focus on the areas of particular interest to each student.
(11 full courses or their equivalent)
At least nine FAH FCEs, and two FCEs in one or more languages including at least one German, French, or Italian, though an acceptable alternative modern language such as Dutch, Russian, Chinese and/or another Asian language may be acceptable. It is strongly recommended that students acquire a reading knowledge of German, French, or Italian by the end of the third year. Students specializing in Ancient or Medieval art should also recognize the necessity of studying Greek and/or Latin. Students interested in pursuing Asian art history will need to acquire Chinese and/or Japanese and/or another Asian language.
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| Higher Years |
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In addition, the Faculty of Arts & Science requires Art History Specialists who do not complete FAH338H1 to complete at least 0.5 credit in Arts & Science courses in Breadth Category 5 (The Physical and Mathematical Universes), or else an Arts & Science course relating to the arts with a significant component of quantitative reasoning.
(6 full courses or their equivalent)
At least six FAH courses fulfilling the following distribution requirements:
| First Year |
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| Higher Years |
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In addition, the Faculty of Arts & Science requires Art History Specialists who do not complete FAH338H1 to complete at least 0.5 credit in Arts & Science courses in Breadth Category 5 (The Physical and Mathematical Universes), or else an Arts & Science course relating to the arts with a significant component of quantitative reasoning.
(4 full courses or their equivalent)
At least four FAH courses fulfilling the following distribution requirements:
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FAH Course Groups
FAH101H1 is a selective survey of the major periods and monuments in the history of art and architecture, team-taught by members of the department. The rotating lectures provide students with the opportunity to be introduced to key works of art by leading experts in each field. FAH102H1 serves as a practical and critical introduction to the practice of art history and is an integral component of the curriculum; students are encouraged to take this class early in their progress toward an FAH degree. Half courses at the 200 level are more comprehensive surveys that thematically introduce the material from specific chronological periods, regional areas, or the history of architecture. Many of these courses, which are offered on a regular basis, serve as “gateway” prerequisites for courses at the 300 and 400 levels.
| Group | Periods Represented | FAH Courses Numbered |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ancient, Medieval | 200–29, 300–29, 400–29 |
| B | Early Modern, Modern–Contemporary–Canadian | 230–59, 330–59, 430–59 |
| C | Asian | 260–69, 360–69, 460–69 |
| D | History of Architecture | 270–79, 370–79, 470–79, plus 300, 309, 328, 362, 364, 404, 421 |
| O | Other | 380–99, 480–89 |
Note: Certain courses, including FAH101H1 and FAH102H1, do not satisfy the requirement for any group, but do count toward any FAH degree program. Students who have already taken FAH100Y1 are encouraged, but not required, to take either FAH101H1 or FAH102H1 for the fulfillment of the degree requirements. Courses used to satisfy one group requirement cannot be counted toward another group requirement.
BR5 and Quantitative Reasoning Courses
Quantitative Reasoning is a required learning outcome of all Arts & Science major and specialist programs. FAH338H1 includes a quantitative reasoning component and is the preferred course for FAH majors and specialists to meet this requirement. For students unable to complete FAH338H1, the requirement can be met with a BR5 course; some examples are AST201H1, CHM209H1, CSC104H1, ESS103H1, ESS105H1, HIS393H1, JUM205H1, PHY100H1, PHY202H1, PHY207H1, STA220H1. Other courses that meet this requirement are ANT200Y1, ARH305H1, CIN230H1, WDW235H1, WDW236H1.
Language Skills
Students in the Art History program are encouraged to develop language skills throughout their program. Advanced study normally requires competence of French, German, Spanish, or Italian, though an alternative modern language such as Dutch, Russian, Chinese, and/or another Asian language may be acceptable. Students specializing in Ancient or Medieval art should also recognize the necessity of studying Greek and/or Latin, while those interested in pursuing Asian art history will need to acquire Chinese and/or Japanese and/or another Asian language.
At the U of T and other comparable institutions, the MA program requires reading knowledge of two languages in order to graduate. The first language exam is administered by the Department during the Fall term and consists of a one-hour translation exercise of an art history text.
Interdisciplinary Studies
What is true of languages is also true of many other disciplines: they are invaluable to art historians because they provide a context for our studies, or support such studies in other ways. These include history, literature (offered by various language departments), religion, urban studies, and some college programs, e.g. Anthropology, Classics, English, Geography (especially cultural, historical and urban geography), History, Innis College, Philosophy, Religion, St Michael’s College, Victoria College, etc. Note that courses in classical mythology and Christian ritual and belief are a useful complement to the study of most periods of Western Art. Certain courses in cognate disciplines are recognized for credit as if they were FAH courses, e.g. East Asian Studies, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations.
See the Related Disciplines and Courses webpage for specific courses