The Department of Archaeology and Art History had its beginnings as the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, which was established in 1961 and was subsequently divided into the Departments of Archaeology and Anthropology, respectively, in 1975. In 1982 the Department of Archaeology was re-organized as the Department of Archaeology and Art History. The discipline of archaeology involves illuminating the past culture of humankind through material evidence other than texts. Art history examines the artistic heritage of humanity from aesthetic and written historical perspectives. The department focuses on imparting basic knowledge of these disciplines through the use of effective teaching methodologies.

Many of our undergraduate students continue their studies to graduate school and get jobs teaching and engaging in research at universities, or they find employment as cultural specialists conducting research at the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern Art, and many other public and private museums and art galleries. Graduates are also employed in professional research institutions such as the National Research Institute of Cultural Properties and the Cultural Properties Administration.