At Otterbein, Art History and studio courses support each other. Through examining images from ancient times to the present, students build a storehouse of images which may serve as sources of inspiration for studio work; knowledge of art history provides a context for a student's own work in various studio areas.

All art majors take a foundation sequence of three art history courses - usually during the sophomore year - which explore painting, architecture, and sculpture, learning to identify time periods and to recognize stylistic characteristics of major art movements and artists from the pre-historic period to modern art. Courses emphasize the study of art in historical context as students understand the significant philosophical movements, religious concepts, historical figures, events, and places which influence works of art.

Students emerging from an art history course will be able to look critically at a work of art and make a significant statement, oral or written, about the work's historical context, its stylistic characteristics, its compositional elements and organization, and its expressive qualities.

An extensive collection of slides and videos supports the art history courses, and exploration of internet resources is encouraged. Following the survey sequence, other course offerings include Global Art, Art in America, Women Artists in History, and Contemporary Art.

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