Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in History of Art - Visual and Media Studies

The PhD Program in is committed to preparing you for advanced research in the global visual cultures of the past and present. The Department recognizes that visual literacy plays an increasingly important role in contemporary society. Art, architecture, mass media (television, video, film, internet), and urbanism all work through reference to visual and spatial conventions. We strive to provide you with the necessary tools to understand objects and archives and with the skills to interpret visual and material culture for the benefit of the broader community. We invite applications from highly qualified students interested in careers in research, teaching, and criticism. The program requires a minimum of 15 courses (excluding language courses): Art, Media, Technology/Histories, Theories, and Practices; Grant & Prospectus Writing Seminar; six additional courses in the Department (of which at least four must be in Visual & Media Studies); two courses in critical theory, and five electives. At least four graduate-level courses should be taken outside AAHVS. A maximum of 2 undergraduate courses may sometimes be taken with the course instructor’s and the student adviser(s)’ permission and under conditions agreed upon with them. Those holding Master’s Degrees from other institutions may be exempted from some course requirements in consultation with the student’s committee Chair and the DGS. If more than three courses are to be eliminated, the matter will be discussed in a meeting of the graduate faculty.