History of Art and Visual Culture

The University of California offers a comprehensive program in the History of Art and Visual Culture designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the development, interpretation, and contextualization of visual arts across various periods and cultures. This interdisciplinary degree combines rigorous academic coursework with critical analysis, encouraging students to engage deeply with artworks, visual phenomena, and cultural practices from ancient to contemporary times. Throughout the program, students explore a wide range of topics including painting, sculpture, architecture, photography, film, digital media, and other visual forms, enabling a multidimensional perspective on how images and visual practices shape societies and influence human experiences.

The curriculum emphasizes both historical knowledge and theoretical approaches, promoting skills in visual analysis, research methodologies, and scholarly critique. Students have the opportunity to examine art objects in museum settings, participate in site visits, and engage with diverse visual sources to develop nuanced interpretative skills. The program also fosters an understanding of the social, political, and cultural contexts that influence artistic production, reception, and preservation. With a focus on global perspectives, students are encouraged to investigate non-Western visual traditions and contemporary visual culture alongside Western art history.

Faculty members are distinguished scholars and practitioners in the field, offering mentorship and guidance on diverse research interests, including gender studies, race and ethnicity, digital media, and art theory. The program prepares graduates for careers in museums, galleries, auction houses, cultural institutions, education, and academic research. Additionally, many students pursue advanced degrees or engage in interdisciplinary projects that integrate visual culture with other fields such as history, anthropology, and media studies.

Beyond classroom instruction, students participate in internships, exhibitions, and collaborative projects that enhance practical skills and professional development. The program also encourages participation in conferences, seminars, and publishing opportunities to develop scholarly communication skills. With a comprehensive and global approach to the study of visual culture, the Bachelor’s degree in History of Art and Visual Culture at the University of California aims to cultivate critical thinkers, culturally aware citizens, and innovative professionals equipped to analyze and interpret the visual world.

The HAVC major requires four lower-division and nine upper-division courses including the satisfactory completion of the senior comprehensive requirement. Students must take courses in each of the different cultural settings to ensure methodological and disciplinary breadth.

Lower-Division Requirements

Four courses from four different geographical regions listed above.

HAVC 80 may be used to fulfill the lower-division regional breadth requirement for regions 10 (Africa), 60 (Native Americas), or 70 (Oceania).

Upper-Division Requirements

Nine courses, as follows:

• 100A recommended during sophomore year. Because 100A is a prerequisite for other courses, if it is not completed by the end of the junior year, students may have difficulty enrolling in required courses and graduation may be delayed.
• 101-191: eight courses required, including a seminar (190s and 191s) to satisfy the senior comprehensive (see Comprehensive Requirement below).

In completing upper-division coursework, students must complete three upper-division courses (courses 101-191) from three different regions. Two of those regions must be a geographical area not studied at the lower-division level.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. Students in HAVC meet the DC requirement by completing course 100A.

Senior Comprehensive Requirement

All seniors must complete one seminar, 190–191, as their “senior exit” course to satisfy the senior comprehensive requirement. Seminars can be taken for senior exit credit only by permission of the instructor. Within the context of this advanced seminar, students will work under the close supervision of their professor to produce a written project that demonstrates a high level of achievement in research, writing, and critical thinking. Students whose performance is outstanding are eligible for honors in the senior comprehensive requirement.

Concentration in Religion and Visual Culture

This program is for students who wish to pursue the study of religion in conjunction with studies of visual culture. A student enters the concentration by proposing, in consultation with their faculty adviser, a sequence of upper-division courses to fulfill the religion and visual culture requirements. The declaration of major requirements for the religion and visual culture concentration are the same as those listed in the Declaration of Major section. The faculty adviser for the religion and visual culture concentration is Raoul Birnbaum.

Requirements for the Religion and Visual Culture Concentration

Fifteen courses, as follows:

• Four lower-division courses (each from a different geographical area)
• 100A recommended during sophomore year. Because 100A is a prerequisite for other courses, if it is not completed by the end of the junior year, students may have difficulty enrolling in required courses and graduation may be delayed.
• 101-191: five courses that focus on the study of religion
• 190-191: one seminar (190s and 191s) to satisfy the senior comprehensive (see Comprehensive Requirement above).
• Four relevant upper-division courses in the study of religion from programs on campus such as anthropology, history, literature, and philosophy. (For a complete list of approved courses, please see the departmental website http://havc.ucsc.edu/program/religion.)

Requirements

• To be considered for admission to UC Santa Cruz, international students must be on track to complete secondary school with superior grades/marks in academic subjects and to earn a certificate of completion that enables the student to be admitted to a university in their home country. 
• Reporting Foreign Course Work on the Application: When you apply to UC Santa Cruz, you must report ALL foreign course work as it would appear on your foreign academic record. You should not convert the grading system of your home country to U.S. grades or use an evaluation done by an agency. If your grades/marks appear as numbers, words, or percentages, please report them as such on your UC application. Each UC campus has an International Admissions Specialist who will thoroughly evaluate your international records.
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Overall band score of 6.5 or higher*
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 80 on the Internet-based test
• SAT Writing Exam: 560 or higher

Test Requirements

All freshman applicants are expected to submit scores from one of the following tests. Even if the test is not offered in your country, we expect it:

• The ACT Assessment plus the ACT Writing Test  

--OR—

• The SAT with critical reading, mathematics, and writing scores from the same sitting. 

*Note: We no longer require SAT Subject exams. (We will still review these exam scores if applicants choose to send them to us, however, and certain SAT Subject exams may be recommended for some majors.)

SAT Subject exams accepted by UC:

• English (literature) 
• History/social studies
• Mathematics (Level 2 only; Level 1 is not accepted by the UC)
• Science
• Languages (Other than English)

Please note: In order for your test scores to be available in time for our review, all tests must be taken by December of the year before you plan to enroll.

Scholarships

To qualify for Federal, State, or University funding you must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen and you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial aid is not available for students with F1 or F2 Student Visas, J1 or J2 Exchange Visitor Visas, or G Series Visas.

Undergraduate Dean’s Scholarships and Awards

This award recognizes the academic achievement of non-resident students. Entering non-resident students will be considered for the Undergraduate Dean's Scholarships and Awards ranging from $12,000 to $40,000 (for freshmen) or $6,000 to $20,000 (for transfers), depending upon several factors from your admissions application. The award is intended to offset non-resident tuition and will be discontinued if the student becomes a California resident.

The Bachelor of Arts in History of Art and Visual Culture at the University of California offers students a comprehensive overview of the rich history and diverse visual practices that have shaped human societies over centuries. The program combines rigorous academic coursework with critical analysis and encourages students to explore a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, photography, film, and digital media. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students gain an understanding of the cultural, social, political, and technological contexts that influence artistic production and reception across different periods and regions. The curriculum typically includes courses on ancient and medieval art, Renaissance and modern periods, contemporary art, and topics such as gender, ethnicity, and globalization in visual culture. In addition, students may engage in seminars, research projects, and exhibitions that foster hands-on experience and deepen their analytical skills. The program aims to prepare graduates for diverse careers in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, arts administration, academia, or further graduate studies. Collaboration with faculty members renowned for their expertise in various art historical fields enhances learning and provides mentorship opportunities. Students also benefit from access to the university’s extensive collections, libraries, and digital resources, enriching their academic journey and enabling original research. Overall, the program emphasizes critical thinking, visual literacy, and contextual understanding, equipping students with the intellectual skills necessary to interpret and appreciate visual culture in a globalized world.