Art History, M.A.
Learning Outcomes
- MA art history students evidence knowledge of major movements in Asian and Western art.
- MA art history students successfully demonstrate in writing the ability to apply the currently used methods in the history of art to the analysis of works of art and/or architecture.
- MA art history students demonstrate in writing the ability to conduct research to develop original ideas about the meanings of works of art or architecture using one or more of the methodologies currently in use in the profession.
- MA art history students demonstrate the ability to write and to speak persuasively and coherently about works of art or architecture using a sophisticated art historical vocabulary.
- MA art history students demonstrate a reading proficiency in a foreign language selected with advisor approval.
- Students successfully pursue their post-graduation career goals.
Admissions
Required Documents
- Online Application to the Graduate School
- Official Transcripts
- Official GRE or MAT Score
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- Cover Letter
- Writing Sample
- Personal Statement
- 2 or more Letters of Recommendation (at least one must be from a professor)
Note: Successful applicants to the graduate program in Art History typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale and acceptable score on the GRE (160 verbal and 145 quantitative, or a combined minimum of 305). These numbers are provided as guidelines; meeting the minimum GPA and test scores does not guarantee admission. All parts of an application are carefully considered in admissions decisions.
Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
All students accepted into the program must take the M.A. proficiency examination in the history of art during the first semester of their residence. The examination consists of the identification and discussion of certain major works of Western and Asian art from antiquity to the present. Students who fail the exam may retake it at the beginning of their second semester. Failure to pass the exam on the second attempt results in dismissal from the program. Faculty advisors are assigned to students by the end of their first semester. All art history majors are required to pass a reading proficiency test in a foreign language approved by the faculty advisor.
Students are required to complete 24 hours of course work, at least half at the 700-level or above, including ARTH 701 and at least one course in three of the four areas of core study offered by the faculty:
- Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th-Century Art and Architecture
- Modern and Contemporary European Art and Architecture
- American Art and Architecture
- Asian Art and Architecture
Courses may only fulfill the requirement for a single area. With the advisor’s approval, up to 6 hours of electives may be fulfilled with courses outside of ARTH. Finally, students are required to complete a written thesis (ARTH 799, 6 hours) or master’s project (ARTH 798, 6 hours). The thesis or master’s project committee will consist of a director and two readers. Where appropriate, one of the two readers may be chosen from another department, school, or program. A 4-6 page thesis or master’s project proposal must be approved by the committee. A formal oral defense of the finished written thesis or master’s project will also be required. The oral defense of the thesis or master’s project serves as the student’s comprehensive assessment for the degree.
Degree Requirements
- Proficiency exam (completed in the first semester)
- ARTH 701
- At least one course in three of the four areas of core study
- ARTH 799 or ARTH 798
- Reading proficiency in an approved foreign language
- At least half of approved courses at or above the 700 level
Course Work (30 Hours)
Required (3 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 701 | Methodologies and Practices of Art History | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 3 | |
Core Study (15 Hours)
15 hours selected from the following courses with at least one course in three of the four areas.
Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th-Century Art and Architecture
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 520 | History of Renaissance Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 521 | History of Renaissance Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTH 522 | History of Renaissance Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 523 | Florentine Art | 3 |
| ARTH 524 | Topics in Renaissance Art | 3 |
| ARTH 525 | History of Baroque Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 526 | History of Baroque Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTH 527 | History of Baroque Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 529 | Topics in 18th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 557 | History of Printmaking | 3 |
| ARTH 720 | Problems in Renaissance Art | 3 |
| ARTH 725 | Problems in Baroque and Rococo Art | 3 |
| ARTH 790 | Problems in Art History | 3 |
Modern and Contemporary European Art and Architecture
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 534 | Topics in 19th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 535 | History of Modern Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 536 | History of Modern Sculpture | 3 |
| ARTH 537 | Topics in Modern Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 539 | Topics in Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 569 | Special Topics in Film and Media Histories | 3 |
| ARTH 590 | Topics in Art History | 3 |
| ARTH 730 | Problems in 19th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 735 | Problems in 20th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 739 | Special Topics: Problems in Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 769 | Problems in Film History | 3 |
| ARTH 790 | Problems in Art History | 3 |
American Art and Architecture
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 534 | Topics in 19th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 537 | Topics in Modern Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 539 | Topics in Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 540 | History of American Painting | 3 |
| ARTH 542 | History of American Architecture | 3 |
| ARTH 543 | The History of American Antiques and Decorative Arts | 3 |
| ARTH 544 | Topics in American Art | 3 |
| ARTH 730 | Problems in 19th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 735 | Problems in 20th-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 739 | Special Topics: Problems in Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 769 | Problems in Film History | 3 |
| ARTH 790 | Problems in Art History | 3 |
Asian Art and Architecture
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 545 | Special Topics in Modern Chinese Art | 3 |
| ARTH 546 | Special Topics in Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 569 | Special Topics in Film and Media Histories | 3 |
| ARTH 739 | Special Topics: Problems in Modern Art | 3 |
| ARTH 745 | Special Topics - Problem in Modern Chinese Art | 3 |
| ARTH 746 | Special Topics: Problems in Asian Art | 3 |
| ARTH 769 | Problems in Film History | 3 |
| ARTH 790 | Problems in Art History | 3 |
Electives (6 Hours)
Selected from ARTH or related disciplines, as approved by faculty advisor.
Thesis (6 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 799 | Thesis Preparation | 6 |
| or ARTH 798 | Master's Project Planning | |
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |