Author: The Crusader Staff Writer, Reagan Cullen
Belmont Abbey prides itself in providing their students with a great education that will open many doors for students in the future. One way in which their education exceeds expectations is the provided options of majors and minors, despite how small the program is. Along with a lengthy list of majors, the school offers around fifty minors. One minor provided by the college is Art History. Although I am not studying this field myself, I have heard great things about the Art History minor, and therefore would like to shed some light on it.
This program is coordinated by Linda Pastryk, along with student Brianna Sroka as President. Art History studies art, infrastructure, buildings, sculptures, etc. in history, taking into consideration its historical and cultural context to understand its connection and effect on society. The Art History minor requires 15 credit hours. Some of the courses that it entails are Prehistory through the Middle Ages (AR 101), Renaissance to Modern (AR 102), and The Art, Architecture, and Religion of India, China, and Japan (AR 300).
After sitting down with the Art History minor’s president, Brianna Sroka, I was able to learn more about the minor. She shared how the classes open your eyes to how art and architecture can reveal so much information about Earth’s history. Sroka also shared that her favorite experience was when she visited the Mint Museum in Uptown Charlotte with her professor, Linda Pastryk. Sroka commented on the beautiful art that she was able to observe, recalling how excited she was when she discovered there was a section dedicated to fashion throughout history.
While it is encouraged students choose a minor that is specific to their interests and possible career choice, the Art History minor is one I highly recommend if you find yourself short of a minor and are interested in the subject. Through this program, you will be allowed to understand art from the past that has impacted historical and modern society, and even be provided with the opportunity to attend festivals, museums, and art shows firsthand.
This article was originally posted in the Spring of 2023, Issue 1 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
