Art history at West Point

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usma2025applicant123

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Hello! I am a class of 2025 commit at West Point. This year I took AP art history and developed a passion for it but I see that West Point does not offer it as a major or minor. Are there any art history opportunities (classes, internships, etc.) at West Point? Should I pursue it after my time as West Point? Thank you in advance for you help!
 
Hi! If you look at the Red Book then you will see the course catalog. It looks like there is a class called "Military Art History" which might be similar.
 
Military art is not an art class in the sense the OP is asking. It’s a mandatory class all cadets take that examines how the use of militaries has evolved through time
 
www.nytimes.com

The Army Is Looking for a Few Good Art Experts (Published 2019)

A new reserve group, inspired by the Monuments Men of the World War II era, will aim to protect antiquities and important cultural sites in war zones.
www.nytimes.com www.nytimes.com

I can't tell you anything about USMA, but as a general rule having a non-corelated side interest aside from your main focus--in this case being a USMA Cadet--is a good thing. It can be a stress reliever. Broadening one's perspectives is never a bad thing. Being a generalist is a good thing.
 
I developed an interest in art history in high school, when I took a very challenging and equally enlightening class called Humanities. That led me to take two other art history courses in college (though I must admit I was also incentef by a crush I had on an art history major). So I get the desire to include it in your USMA studies — a bit of humanity’s “softness” to temper all the “hardness” that is STEM. But as you’ll see by examining WP’s course listings, opportunities to do so are severely limited.

That said, you can always find the time to do independent study. And you can continue to pursue your interest after you leave WP. Meanwhile, I’ll make a very tongue-in-cheek (yet still serious) recommendation that at some point, you read “The Art of War.”
 
To expand on Casey's comment, Military strategy is both a Science and an Art. The science is taught in several courses, such as Intro to Warfighting and Platoon Operations. The "Art" is taught in History of the Military Art and studies how military leaders creatively apply the science to achieving a superior strategy for victory.

To my knowledge there is little opportunity to study art in the traditional sense of painting, sculpture, etc.
 
There is a fair amount of art locally that you can explore. The Storm King Art Center is a great place for outdoor sculpture. The DIA in Beacon, the Vassar College Art Museum in Poughkeepsie and the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers all have interesting collections.
 
When you eventually get a weekend pass, you'll be able to immerse yourself in some of the world's great art museums in New York City.
 
usma2025applicant123 said:
Hello! I am a class of 2025 commit at West Point. This year I took AP art history and developed a passion for it but I see that West Point does not offer it as a major or minor. Are there any art history opportunities (classes, internships, etc.) at West Point? Should I pursue it after my time as West Point? Thank you in advance for you help!
Click to expand...

There is no Art History class from what I remember, but I know certain departments like English, History, and SOSH offer classes that analyze old films to understand the politics in the past or examine paintings/historical objects to better understand ancient warfare.

Don't just look at the names of these courses. Make sure to look at the description. You'd be surprised at what kind of classes are offered.
 
Looks like there are interesting classes in English/Philosophy and History at USMA.

For USAFA's offerings, look at
Website
Academics
Majors and Minors
English and Fine Arts
scroll down, notice it looks like are wearing AF smocks and in a painting class.
Click on the tab Academic Year 2020-2021 Classes
I tried to attach it but it says the file is too large. They have at least 2 actual Art classes.
 
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