The purposes of the art history curriculum are to develop students’ understanding of some of the historical traditions in the visual arts, to teach students methods of analysis and interpretation of the meaning of works of art, and to help students learn to evaluate the quality of works of art.

A liberal arts education and study in a particular major will lead to the acquisition of a group of skills which enable one to solve problems, communicate effectively, and perform complicated tasks. These skills are essential in any career. The following is a list of important and commonly agreed upon career skills identified by UMM art history faculty as a part of the project to Improve Public Understanding of Liberal Learning (IMPULL). The skills are those which all or most students studying art history are likely to acquire through classroom instruction, co-curricular or extra-curricular activities.