Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology
Art History
Overview
The program leading to the MA in Art History introduces students to a global history of art by way of close engagement with artworks. Coursework and independent thesis projects draw upon public and private collections throughout the Dallas and Fort Worth area as well as the innovative and interdisciplinary research initiatives of our scholars. By exploring a broad range of material across geography, chronology, and medium, students develop a strong foundation in historiography, theory, and professional practices.
The two-year program is designed as a rigorous, immersive experience that will launch graduates directly into top doctoral programs or arts careers.
Faculty
Professors: Erika Doss, John J. Pomara, Charissa N. Terranova, Michael Thomas, Marilyn Waligore
Associate Professor: Mark Rosen
Assistant Professor: Ali Asgar Alibhai
Clinical Associate Professor: Lorraine Tady
Clinical Assistant Professor: Sarah Kozlowski
Master of Arts in Art History
36 semester credit hours minimum
Coursework: 36 semester credit hours
Major Core Courses: 6 semester credit hours
AHST 6301 Foundations I: Theories and Methods of Art History1
AHST 6302 Foundations II: Thesis Workshop1
Electives in Art History (AHST): 18 semester credit hours
Choose six courses from the following:
AHST 6310 Topics in Art History
AHST 6311 Topics in Architecture and Landscape Architecture
AHST 6315 Topics in the History of Design
AHST 6316 Topics in Decorative Arts
AHST 6317 Topics in the History of New Media
AHST 6320 Topics in the History of Collecting
AHST 6321 Topics in Global Art Histories
AHST 6322 Topics in Digital Art History
AHST 6323 Topics in the Histories of Art, Nature, and Science
AHST 6324 Special Topics in American Art
AHST 6325 Special Topics in Contemporary Art
AHST 6326 Special Topics in Medieval Art and Architecture
AHST 6327 Special Topics in Renaissance and Baroque Art and Architecture
AHST 6328 Special Topics in Islamic Art and Architecture
AHST 6329 Special Topics in Classical Antiquity
AHST 6330 Special Topics in Cultural Heritage
AHST 6331 Special Topics in the Art and Architecture of the Mediterranean World
AHST 6332 Special Topics in Modern Art
AHST 6333 Special Topics in the Social History of Art
AHST 6334 Special Topics in Art and Literature
AHST 6335 Special Topics in Asian Art
AHST 6336 Special Topics in Urbanism and Space
With permission of the advisor, up to six semester credit hours of Electives may be in VPAS or ATCM courses.
Thesis: 12 semester credit hours
After completing at least eighteen semester credit hours of coursework, students dedicate two consecutive long semesters to a thesis project. In the thesis project, students frame and carry out a program of original scholarly research, culminating either in a scholarly essay, a small exhibition, a collaboration with a practicing artist, a conservation project, archival research, or a digital art history project.
AHST 6V99 Thesis
1. Students are expected to complete AHST 6301 in their first semester of enrollment and AHST 6302 within their third semester of enrollment.