Department of Art and Art History

Faculty

Professors Emeritae/Emeriti
Roberta M. Bernstein, Ph.D., Columbia University (Collins Fellow)
David Carbone, M.F.A., Brooklyn College, CUNY
JoAnne Carson, M.F.A., University of Chicago (Distinguished Professor)
Rachel Dressler, Ph.D., Columbia University
Phyllis J. Galembo, M.F.A., University of Wisconsin
Mark A. Greenwold, M.F.A., Indiana University
Arthur G. Lennig, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Edward A. Mayer, M.F.A., University of Wisconsin 
Thom O’Connor, M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy
John C. Overbeck, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
Michael Werner, Ph.D., Stanford University

Professors
Sarah R. Cohen, Ph.D., Yale University
Daniel Goodwin, M.F.A., Hunter College (Department Chair)

Associate Professors 
Rakhee Balaram, Ph.D., Courtauld Institute
Amy R. Bloch, Ph.D., Rutgers University        
Leona Christie, M.F.A., University of Washington
Adam Frelin, M.F.A., University of California, San Diego 

Assistant Professors
Melissa Thorne, M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts
Gracelee Lawrence, M.F.A., University of Texas at Austin

Visiting Assistant Professors
Beth Tsai, Ph.D., Stony Brook University
Simeon Youngmann, M.F.A, University at Albany, SUNY

Instructional Support Technician in Sculpture
Roger Bisbing, M.F.A., Syracuse University

Instructional Support Technician in Painting, Drawing, Printmaking & Photography
Sara Alonge, M.F.A., University at Albany, SUNY

Adjuncts (estimated): 22
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 18

The Department of Art and Art History offers a 36 credit major in art, a 36 credit major in art history, and an Honors program in art history. In addition students can minor in art or art history. The Department of Art and Art History also houses the film studies minor. The foundation of the art major is a core curriculum in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, lens-based media, and art history. The major in art history offers a range of courses drawn from offerings in art history within the department, and from other departments and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, including anthropology and East Asian studies. The University Art Museum offers a wide variety of exhibitions that enhance and extend the offerings of the Department of Art and Art History.

Careers
In addition to the traditional careers in fine art, commercial art, art history and criticism, students who immerse themselves in our art and art history curricula emerge with an understanding of visual literacy at a time when our culture as a whole is becoming increasingly dependent upon visual communication. Career paths include various positions in art museums and galleries, art conservation, the teaching of art and art history, art therapy, furniture design, industrial design, interior design, stage and costume design, graphic design, film production, TV production, medical archaeology and anthropological illustration, and animation.

Degree Requirements for the Major in Art

General Program B.A.: 36 credits, including at least 12 credits at the 300 level or above, to be distributed as follows: 18 credits are core requirements: A ART 105, 110, 115, 144 and A ARH 170 and 171; 18 credits are from electives with an A ART prefix; 3 of these credits may be from any course that applies to the art history major (see below.)

Degree Requirements for the Major in Art History

The purpose of the major in Art History is to introduce students to the principles and methods of art history and visual literacy, and to encourage their intellectual exploration of art and architecture in historical culture. Advisement, internship supervision and career counseling are conducted by the Art History faculty.

General Program B.A.: A minimum of 36 credits.

Required Core Courses (12 credits): 9 credits from A ARH 170, 171, 241, 250, 260, 270, 285; 3 credits from A ARH 450 or 499.
Lower Division Electives (3 credits): A ARH 200-298; A ANT 233/A LCS 233; A CLA 207, 208, 209.
Upper Division Electives (21 credits): all 300 and 400 level A ARH courses; A ANT 334, 433; A CLA 490.

Honors Program in Art History

The Honors program in Art History allows declared Art History majors who have excelled in at least their first 12 credits of Art History coursework to pursue an advanced program of study and independent research. At the time of entry into the Honors program students must have at least a 3.50 GPA in the Art History major and a 3.25 GPA overall, and they must maintain these levels of achievement throughout the rest of their coursework. Students may request entry into the Honors program from their faculty academic advisor. They will be admitted provided they have the necessary GPA requirements and that they will have enough time left in their academic years to fulfill the Honors requirements.

Degree Requirements for Honors in Art History

Required Core Courses (12 credits): 9 credits from A ARH 170, 171, 241, 250, 260, 270, 285; 3 credits from A ARH 450 or 499.
Lower Division Electives (3 credits): A ARH 200-298; A ANT 233/A LCS 233; A CLA 207, 208, 209.
Upper Division Electives (21 credits): all 300 and 400 level A ARH courses; A ANT 334, 433; A CLA 490.

Within their elective coursework, Honors students must take at least one course from each of the following areas:

• Ancient Art: A ARH 205-209; A ARH 270; A ARH 301-302; A ARH 401-406; A CLA 490
• Early Modern Art: A ARH 341-352; A ARH 450
• Modern and Contemporary Art: A ARH 365-366; A ARH 466-468
• Film and Photography: A ARH 260-269; A ARH 361-363; A ARH 367-369; A ARH 460-462
• Non-Western Art: A ANT 233; A ANT 344; A ANT 433

Within their upper-level elective coursework, Honors students must also take:
A. An additional research seminar (A ARH 499, which can be repeated for credit, or A ARH 450): In this additional research seminar, Honors students must fulfill two out of the following three special research tasks:

• Examination of an original work of art, or a building or archaeological site
• Research in a foreign language
• Incorporation of three or more primary sources into his or her research

B. Honors Thesis I (A ARH 493) and Honors Thesis II (A ARH 494), taken consecutively in their last two semesters, in which they pursue an Honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member in Art History

• The thesis may consist of two separate but thematically interlinked research papers, completed in each of the two semesters; or it may consist of four interlinked papers, two per semester; or it may be a single paper whose research and preparation extends over both semesters. In all cases the student must produce 60 pages of writing, including endnotes and bibliography. The research the Honors students perform on their thesis must incorporate two out of the three special “Honors” tasks identified above.

Evaluation of Honors students

Halfway through their last semester, Honors students must give an oral presentation on their Honors thesis to the Honors committee, which will be composed of three members of the Art History faculty, as well as the Honors supervisor if he or she is not on the committee. The committee will use an agreed-upon standard of assessment to evaluate the student’s performance, including the following:

• The thesis must be clearly developed and the findings near or at completion.
• The presentation must thoroughly present both thesis and findings, using Power Point slides (or an equivalent presentation tool) with images.
• The presentation should take approximately 30 minutes, followed by a 30-minute period of questions by the faculty committee.

The faculty committee’s assessment of the presentation will be factored into the final grade awarded by the faculty member of record who is supervising the Honors thesis. At the presentation the committee will also offer constructive feedback for the student to use in completing his or her thesis.

Combined B.A./M.A. Program in Art History/Liberal Studies

The combined B.A./M.A. in Art History/Liberal Studies provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of the undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of their junior year. 

Students will have the opportunity to take up to twelve credits of graduate coursework as an undergraduate student. These twelve credits will double count for both the B.A .and M.A. degrees at undergraduate costs. The combined program is designed to prepare students for Ph.D. programs in visual culture studies and related areas of the arts and humanities, as well as for advanced careers in museum work, publishing, public outreach and communication, and education. 

Admission requirements for the B.A./M.A. program are:

• GPA of at least 3.2 at the time of application
• Art History major
• Completion of at least 56 credits at the undergraduate level

Applications should be submitted in the first semester of the junior year. Required elements include three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals, and an example of critical writing. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor to ensure that acceptance into the program will not affect their financial aid.

The combined B.A./M.A. in Art History/Liberal Studies program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all university and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minor requirements, the minimum 90 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.A. in Art Liberal Studies, students must meet all university and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and the M.A. in the Art History/Liberal Studies Program. The twelve graduate credits taken as an undergraduate should include at least one course in the Humanities and one in the Social Sciences.  All electives are subject to approval by the Liberal Studies Director.

Combined B.A./M.S. Program in Art History/Information Science

The combined B.A./M.S. in Art History/Information Science provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of the undergraduate and master's degree programs from the beginning of their junior year. 

In the B.A./M.S. Program, students will have the opportunity to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework as an undergraduate. These 12 credits will double count for both undergraduate and graduate degrees at undergraduate costs. The combined program is designed to prepare students for advanced careers within information science, visual resources curating, digital image management, and all forms of library and archival work. 

Admission requirements for the B.A./M.S. program are:

• GPA of at least 3.2 at the time of application
• Art History major
• Completion of at least 56 credits at the undergraduate level

Applications should be submitted in the first semester of the junior year. Required elements include three letters of recommendation, a statement of goals, and an example of critical writing. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a financial aid counselor to ensure that acceptance into the program will not affect their financial aid.

The combined B.A./M.S. in Art History/Information Science program requires a minimum of 144 credits, of which at least 36 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.A., students must meet all university and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minor requirements, the minimum 90 credit liberal arts and sciences requirement,* the general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.S. in Information Science students must meet all university and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including a minimum of 36 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.A. and the M.S. in the Art History/Information Science Program.
*Courses in this graduate program do not fulfill the liberal arts and sciences course requirements. Early and consistent advisement is built into the combined program to ensure all undergraduate requirements are met.