About the Program
The concentration in Historical Studies provides a broad foundation in modern and contemporary art as well as advanced research, writing, and presentation skills. The two foundation courses in the historiography of art history and history and theory of museums prepare students for art historical research attentive to the role of collection and exhibition practices in the history of scholarship. The degree equips students for further study at the doctoral level, but also for museum careers, especially in art museums.
The historical studies degree is completed in 2 years (four semesters), with full-time enrollment in the first three semesters and part-time enrollment in the fourth semester. Full part-time enrollment is also an option, with degree completion in 3 years. The carefully structured curriculum and active, individualized mentoring enable students to complete the program on schedule.
All applicants who intend to enroll full-time are considered for 9-month graduate teaching and research assistantships that include tuition support (excluding fees) and a stipend. Some awards are for two years, some for just one but with the possibility of renewal for the second year (based on the student’s performance and the availability of funds). Grants and awards are available to current students to support travel to conferences and to conduct research for the Qualifying Paper.
The historical studies concentration requires:
- 5 core courses: art historiography, history and theory of museums, a seminar in art and representation, and two writing seminars
- 5 additional courses, usually art history seminars but may include approved courses in other departments
- submission of a qualifying paper completed in consultation with a faculty advisor
- satisfaction of a foreign-language requirement, either with undergraduate course work or a department-administered translation exam
In the first semester, students complete the required course in art historiography and methodology, which provides an essential foundation for research in a chosen area of study. Required and elective seminars are taken in both the first and second year.
At the end of the first year, students identify the advisor for their qualifying paper. This takes the form of a manuscript formatted for submission to an academic or professional journal in the student’s area of primary interest. In the second year, they work closely with their advisors on research and writing while also enrolled in the two required writing seminars. In the fall, the first introduces them to the process of preparing work for scholarly publication: selecting a journal, formulating an argument, presenting research in a variety of pre-publication contexts, securing copyright for text and images, and formatting for submission to a journal. In the second seminar, in the spring semester, they workshop drafts with peers and prepare a presentation of their research for the entire department.
Advisors are chosen from full-time tenure and tenure-track faculty: Hala Auji, Kathleen Chapman, Lisa Freiman, Eric Garberson, Babatunde Lawal, Catherine Roach, Tobias Wofford, Michelle Yee.
Alongside coursework, the department offers professional development workshops on preparing resumes, CVs, and cover letters; applying to doctoral programs; and attending academic and professional conferences.
Meet current graduate students.
Some of our historical studies graduates have pursued professional careers similar to those of our museum studies graduates. Others have gone on to doctoral study at
- The Johns Hopkins University
- Florida State University
- University of Virginia
Some are pursuing careers as curators at
- Buffalo AKG Art Museum
- Museum of the Virginia National Guard
- Asia Society of Texas
- Texas State Galleries, San Marcos
Others are teaching at
- High Point University
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- Brightpoint Community College
- J. Sargent Reynolds Community College
- George Mason University
- VCU