Academic Catalogs

Art History, Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer

Banner Code: 2_AAT_ART

Control Number: 31339

Financial Aid Eligible


The Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer in Art History is designed to acquaint students with the history of art.  Forms of art studied include painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry, photography, textiles, architecture, performance, and graphic design.  These courses help students understand varying forms of visual communication from around the world through studying social, political, economic, historical, and religious contexts.  Students will also develop skills to complete a visual analysis, interpret images and texts, use historical sources, and engage in scholarly debates.  Students are challenged to think creatively as well as in disciplined ways as they learn about the history of art through the world’s cultures.  Students will be prepared for a baccalaureate degree in Art History.

Program Level Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Analyze the stylistic characteristics of artworks from a wide variety of cultures, regions, and time periods.
  2. Examine the historical, social, and political contexts in which various forms of art were created.
  3. Apply art historical methodologies to the concepts expressed within works of art.
  4. Compare and contrast various key artists, artworks, and styles with appropriate art terminology.
  5. Evaluate distinctive iconography from different geographical areas and time periods.

Potential careers students may enter upon completion are as follows: 

  • Art Historian
  • Museum or Gallery Curator
  • Art Conservator 
  • Art Appraiser 
  • Art Lawyer
  • Art Consultant 
  • Teaching in Secondary and Postsecondary Education

Associate Degree for Transfer Graduation Requirements

Associate Degrees for Transfer require students to meet the following requirements:

  • Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of degree-applicable courses,
  • Minimum overall grade point average of 2.0,
  • Minimum grade of “C” (or “P”) for each course in the major, and
  • Completion of Cal-GETC.

Students should consult a GWC counselor in order to select the best pathway to meet their educational goals. For students who intend to transfer, the choice of general education will be specific to both their major and transfer institution.

Course Title Units
Required Core9
ART G103Survey of Asian Art3
or ART G127 Art of the Ancient Americas
or ART G128 Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America
ART G105Survey of Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages3
or ART G106 Survey of Art from Renaissance to Contemporary
ART G116Drawing 13
List A
Select one of the following:3
ART G103Survey of Asian Art3
ART G104Survey of Modern and Contemporary Art3
ART G105Survey of Art from Prehistory through the Middle Ages3
ART G106Survey of Art from Renaissance to Contemporary3
ART G123Race and Ethnicity in American Art3
ART G127Art of the Ancient Americas3
ART G128Arts of Africa, Oceania, and Indigenous North America3
ART G129History of Photography3
ART G138Women in Art3
ART G139History of Graphic Design3
List B
Select one of the following:3
ART G107Color and Design: 2D3
ART G108Color Theory3
ART G109Color and Design: 3D3
ART G115Typography3
ART G118Life Drawing 13
ART G121Ceramics 13
ART G130Painting 13
ART G142Sculpture 13
ART G150Printmaking 13
PHOT G120Darkroom Photography 13
PHOT G190Digital Photography 13
List C
Select one of the following or any List A or B course not already used:3
HIST G120Asian Civilizations3
HIST G121History of American Women3
HIST G140California History3
HIST G150History of Latin America3
HIST G161World History 13
HIST G162World History 23
HIST G170History Of The United States To 18763
HIST G175History of the United States Since 18763
HIST G180Western Civilization 13
HIST G185Western Civilization 23
PHIL G100Introduction to Philosophy3
PHIL G102History of Ancient Philosophy3
PHIL G110Philosophy Of The East3
PHIL G111Philosophy of Religion - Western3
Major Total18
GE Pattern (Cal-GETC)34
Transferable Electives (as needed to reach 60 units)
Total Units60