FAQs
The academic subject of Art History is a historical humanities discipline. It comprises the history and development of the fine arts and architecture from the Middle Ages until the present.
Traditional fields of study are painting and graphics, sculpture and architecture as well as ‘applied art’ (design of everyday objects, as opposed to the ‘fine arts’). Further areas of study are photography, film, new media, street and urban art, etc.
The artistic works are examined in their historical context. To foster an understanding of their creation, impact and the artistic intentions, the reception of art works is investigated as well.
Geographically and chronologically the subject primarily deals with the history of European art and architecture and for the more recent epochs also with non-European art and architectural history.
Own artistic creation is not a part of it.
What is art – historically speaking?
What can be classified as art?
You will acquire knowledge about the periods of art and artistic categories , about artists, historic backgrounds and many other things.
You will get to know methods with which art and architecture are analysed and understood.
You will learn how to prepare and present such findings (orally and in writing).
You will gain practical experience through internships and field trips.
You will acquire subject-specific skills and knowledge which ae also relevant for numerous other fields of work.
We are a comparatively small department
- two professors and a third professor who is working at the department of Art Education (with two staff members)
- four research assistants
- several lecturers with professional experience in the respective fields of teaching
- This ensures a high degree of personal attention.
Each winter term, approximately 60 first year students start studying the subject as a major or a minor (along with older semesters).
A well-equipped departmental and university library, a workroom for students with a reference library.
Active student representation with guidance and support services.
BA degree:
As part of the BA in History and Culture, Art History can be studied as a first or second major subject or as first or second minor subject.
The first four semesters offer a systematic introduction to the subject through an Introduction and a Methods Module.
In addition, you will attend lectures, seminars and tutorials on individual epochs, categories , research questions, etc.
The modules offered are divided into three pillars:
- Introduction, Methods, Contextualisation
- Epochs and cross-epochal topics
- Practice Module with internship, field trips, final thesis (BA thesis)
MA degree:
The MA Art History as part of the History and Culture MA supplements the study programme.
- At least four semesters – MA thesis
Study abroad for 1-2 semesters? We are happy to advise you, e.g., about the Erasmus programme
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a professional degree awarded after at least six semesters of full-time study.
The Master of Arts (MA) is built upon the BA and requires at least four semesters of full-time study.
After completion of the Master’s degree with good grades, one can continue with a doctorate, i.e., one writes a doctoral thesis (dissertation) -> PhD
A degree in Art History prepares you for many different career paths.
Scientific fields of activity in a narrower sense include:
Universities and colleges (research and teaching), other teaching and research institutions, museums and the exhibition sector, art education, heritage preservation.
Fields of activity in the ‘research-adjacent’ cultural sector are varied:
Art trade/auction houses, art consulting, image archives and agencies, art associations and foundations, cultural management and administration (cities/communities, private companies), cultural tourism (e.g., travel guide), journalism (art criticism, art journalism, reviews, free journalism), publishing (art publishers, editing), libraries and archives,…
Information on studying and career prospects:
- Portal of the Association of German Art Historians
- Kunstgeschichte.info / an online guide for art historians
- ArtHist – Network for Art History
Art History can be studied as
- first or second major subject
- first or second minor subject
There are possibilities of combining Art History with a variety of other subjects (from other departments as well).
Further information on the combined BA degree courses can be found here .
You need:
- Abitur, Fachabitur (an equivalent qualification for university entrance, e.g., A levels, high school diploma)
- For Art History as a major: Knowledge of two foreign languages (can be made up until the end of the second semester)
This is what you should already possess or want to learn/know/be able to do:
A keen interest in artworks, museum visits, field trips…
An interest in the meaning, historic classification and contextualisation of artworks and buildings as well as in artistic and art historical phenomena
Enjoy research and ‘detective work’ with artworks and written sources
A sense for shapes, colours, design and a good visual memory
Good verbal skills to be able to formulate observations and analyses
Enjoy books and reading – even in the digital age
Subject Study Advisor: Annabel Ruckdeschel, MA: Annabel.Ruckdeschel
Or ask some of our students!
Julia Becker and Mia Wagenbach are our student representation:
Mia.F.Wagenbach
Julia.Becker
Instagram of Art History students at JLU: kunstgeschichte.jlu
The Department of Art History at JLU Giessen is looking forward to welcoming you!