Art history, what a worthless major.
This isn't really true. It is an actual degree (not a "studies" atrocity) and it ties in neatly with history proper.
This story demonstrates why it's important. How people depict themselves ties into how they view the world and shows their motivations.
And for you utilitarians out there, there are jobs available at museums, historical societies, and of course teaching positions.
What do you call someone with a PhD in Art History?
Waiter.
Art history, what a worthless major.
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Well, you could study Fart History.
Then you are on a golden track for EPA employment.
“Art history, what a worthless major.”
Well, it is a good degree if one intends to pursue a career as an archivist or a museum curator.
It’s a fun subject for those interested in art, as it shows the development of styles and techniques, and the influences that brought them about; for instance, the development of Chiaroscuro and Sfumato and the impact they had.
I took it as an elective. I'd be surprised if these woke colleges even let students pick those classes anymore.
I double majored in history and art history. Art history started out as an elective to kill a requirement, but I had an outstanding professor that was passionate about the subject and firmly planted the idea, that if taught properly, it is perhaps the most comprehensive of the liberal arts.
Depending on what direction one wants to push one's interests, art history encompasses anatomy, architecture, biology, chemistry, mythology, religion, philosophy, literature, social psychology, semiotics, physics, mathematics/geometry, etc.
Certainly, there are those (students and faculty) who want to water it down, memorize some artists' names, dates and "interpret" things to support a personal or political agenda. Those people are sadly, probably the majority in the field, but are not serious art historians.
On the other hand, those who are serious about doing the research, doing the analysis and writing about it are perhaps the most well rounded liberal arts products.
I can't tell you the last time I had to recall an artist's name in my professional life, which is pretty firmly outside the field of art history, but the critical thinking, analytical and writing skills I developed are all tools I use every single day.
It would probably surprise most on this forum to learn that Art History was one of the last intrinsically pro-Western Civilization fields to hold out against the horde.