Listen to a conversation between a student and his art professor.

Listen to a conversation between a student and his art professor.S: Thanks for meeting with me, professor Jones. I've decided I want to major in painting, but I was looking through the academic listings for the requirements and I couldn't find them.P: We don't offer a degree in painting or any other strictly studio arts degree. But what we do have is a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in art. And in your case, with a concentration in painting.S: Yeah, I saw that, but it looks like it requires a whole lot of art history. It didn't seem like what I was looking for.P: Well, it's half studio and half history. That's what's so attractive about the program. By the time students graduate, they'll have a solid overview of art history, and they'll have taken at least six hands on studio courses, too.S: Uh, I don't know that program is really hard to get into. I mean, you have to go through a whole special admissions process with the selection committee and everything. And then very few people actually make it.P: Well, compared to other programs in the department, it is tougher to get accepted, but why not give it a shot? You don't have to apply until the end of your second year. So you still have a lot of time to put together a good portfolio of your artwork, but only include your best work. The selection committee looks very closely at the portfolios. And you'll also want to be sure to take all of the prerequisites. My studio course is required. And you'll have to take one of the introductory art history courses.S: Does it matter which one?P: It's up to you. I know which one I'd want to take. Professor Sander's course, 19th century European art. It's been a favorite on campus for years. It's practically a campus institution.S: You know, I tried to take that this semester, but I couldn't, it was already full.P: What a surprise! Another semester then. Now, keep in mind that you'll already be doing some readings in 19th and 20th century European art when you take my course. Even though it's a studio course, it's important for students to situate their work in a historical framework. Since most of our student artists are already working within that European tradition.S: What do you mean?P: Well, whether they realize it or not, students in North America are highly influenced by the art they've seen around them all their lives. The majority of that art is from a European tradition, landscapes, portraits.S: Oh, I see, I noticed that you use Gardeners' History of Art as your main textbook. I already have a copy, but it's an earlier edition. Would I be able to use it?P: How old is it?S: Um, it's from 1995. P: 1995, wow, art has changed a lot since then, particularly in what is considered art. Later editions have a more expansive perspective of what art is, giving fuller treatments to things such as jewelry, coins, pottery, and so forth.