Mar 19, 2024  
Graduate Record 2005-2006 
    
Graduate Record 2005-2006 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Art


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Degree Requirements


In addition to the entrance requirements of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, admission to graduate study in the history of art normally requires an average of B+ or better in an undergraduate major in the field and a command of either French, Italian, or German. Outstanding students who have majored in another field may be considered but, if admitted, should expect to take a certain number of basic undergraduate courses for which no degree credit will be granted.

Master of Arts


Candidates for the degree of Master of Arts in the History of Art are required to pass a minimum of 30 credits of courses at the 500 level or above and a written comprehensive examinations in two major fields. A master’s essay is also required. Normally this program can be completed in four semesters.

Students who focus on Western art are expected to take at least one course in each of the five major areas-Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, Modern, and Non-Western art-as well as ARTH 501, Library Methodology, and ARTH 801, Theory and Interpretation. Students who focus on Asian art are expected to take courses in both South and East Asian art, at least one course in three of the major areas of Western art, as well as ARTH 501, Library Methodology and ARTH 801, Theory and Interpretation. The remaining courses may be spread among the student’s two major fields, or other fields as they and their advisors deem useful.

For students of Western art, reading knowledge of German and either French or Italian is required. For students in Asian studies knowledge of German or French is required. Proficiency in at least one of these languages must be demonstrated during the first semester of study. Proficiency in the second language must be demonstrated early in the second year of study. The student must satisfy this requirement by passing an examination administered by the department.

Doctor of Philosophy


To enter the doctoral program, the student must obtain the permission of the faculty. For students who wish to continue, application is made as work for the M.A. is completed, usually in the second semester of the second year. In exceptional cases, the faculty will review a student’s work after the first year of graduate study and give that student permission to enter the Ph.D. program after completing M.A. course work. Such students do not complete the comprehensive examination and the master’s essay and do not receive a master’s degree. Doctoral candidates are required to complete successfully a minimum of 24 credits of courses at the 500 level or above, beyond those required for the master’s degree. They must also pass a written examination in the major field, write a dissertation, and, after the dissertation has been accepted, defend it in an oral examination.

Each student’s program is to be approved by the Departmental Director of Graduate Studies. A member of the graduate faculty in the student’s field of specialization must approve a dissertation proposal outlining the subject and scope of the dissertation and a research plan. When the proposal has been approved by the advisor and members of a dissertation committee chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor, it will be circulated among the faculty, who may offer comments or suggestions. In addition to the languages required for the M.A. degree, students may be required to have a reading knowledge of other languages necessary for work in their major field.

Program in Classical Art and Archaeology


In addition to its regular degree programs, the Department of Art sponsors an interdisciplinary program in classical art and archaeology, leading to the degrees of M.A. and Ph.D. The program encourages the student to acquire a broad understanding of ancient culture. Reading knowledge of Greek and Latin is encouraged; credit is given for courses in ancient studies offered by other departments. Course work outside the Department of Art may lead to the choice of a special field in ancient history, religion, philosophy, or literature. In order that the student be acquainted with the survival and transformation of ancient art in the post-Classical period, course work in early medieval art is also required. At an appropriate stage in their graduate study, students in the program are encouraged to do field work in archaeology at an ancient site.

Although the program is flexible, a course in theory and methodology, such as ARTH 801, is required. The curriculum is determined by students’ preparation, interests, and needs, with about two-thirds of the ten courses needed for the M.A. concentrated in ancient study. Students prepare for the Comprehensive Examination in the two fields of ancient and early medieval art. Language requirements in French and German are met before students take the Comprehensive Examination.

Course Descriptions


Certain graduate courses are given in alternate years, or once every three years, or are temporarily suspended. New courses may be added after the publication date of this catalog. A more current list of course offerings may be obtained by writing to the secretary of the department.

Note: Instructor permission is a prerequisite for all 500-level courses.

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