The Department of the History of Art and Architecture offers study in the principal art and architectural traditions of Asia, the Americas, Europe, and the Mediterranean.
Courses are appropriate for students interested in history, art, and the larger cultural context of society. They are also suitable for students intending to concentrate on the practice of art or environmental design.
The graduate program emphasizes both breadth and depth, and it is characterized by close working relationships between students and the faculty.
Students explore global history, culture, and society through art and architecture from antiquity to the present day.
Trained to celebrate the broad spectrum of human creativity and expression, art history students are natural ambassadors of pluralism and tolerance, developing skills in appreciating visual and material culture to make them true global citizens, ideally equipped to correlate historical events and concerns with important contemporary and international phenomena.
The history of art and architecture program at the UO is comprehensive in scope. Students learn at least one ancient or modern language associated with their main area of interest, and courses examine cultural production from around the globe. All graduate students are required to demonstrate reading proficiency in at least one foreign language by the end of their first year in the program. The language must be approved by the student's advisor and should be relevant to the student's scholarly interests.
The department trains students to become guardians and advocates for culture and the arts within Oregon, the United States, and the world. Because of this rigorous training in critical thinking and communication, art history is not merely a pre-professional major for future art historians.
An art history degree prepares students to embark on an array of professional careers, including those in business, education, law, private and nonprofit organizations, professional writing, and publishing. More specialized careers include art-based professions in museums, galleries, archives, and cultural institutes.
