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Why should I major in
Art History and Archaeology? |
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A major or concentration in Art History and Archaeology
lays the basis for pursuit of a variety of careers including
law, medicine, business, and academe, among others. Critical
study teaches the student not only the particulars of
the art, archaeology, and architecture under study, but
also the broader analytical and synthetic skills needed
for mature, reasoned, and inventive solutions to broad-based
questions in any field. Further, the visual study of the
world around us has been and continues to be increasingly
important as worldwide communication becomes most often
based in visual media. Understanding the sources and significance
of images that form a common language of communication
is crucial for anyone wanting to play an active part in
society. |
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What are some useful first courses
that I might take to get to know this field of study?
When should I take them? |
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Although not part of the major, all students are required
for their core requirements to take Art Humanities. That
course is designed to introduce students to the methods
and techniques of visual analysis. Within the Department
of Art History and Archaeology, there are a number of
introductory options designed to introduce students to
each of the broad approaches included within the department,
as well as to specific regions and time periods under
study.
Introduction to the history of art (BC1001x–BC1002y)
is a survey of world art taught on the Barnard campus,
including specialist lectures from faculty both at Barnard
College and Columbia University. Introduction to architecture
(C3001x) is a similar survey of world architecture that
is popular with students. A new addition to the regular
offerings of the department as of 2000 is Archaeological
Theory and Practice (ACLG W4001y) aimed at introducing
both undergraduate and graduate students to the history,
theory, and methods of archaeological work worldwide.
Although listed at the 4000 level, the course is designed
to meet the needs of both audiences. Any of the 3000 level
lectures course on a particular region or time period
serves as an excellent introduction to more specialized
fields of art history.
Depending on prerequisites for a course, you may make
your own schedule of when to take a class. Introductory
courses in art history and architecture are recommended
for students in their early years of study. As a major
it is most usual to take introductory courses at the 3000
level to begin with, adding 4000 lectures and seminars
after the initial stages of study. |
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Why do the requirements take this
form? |
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The majority of one’s undergraduate introduction
to and study of the field of art history should be broad-based.
Therefore, the majority of coursework focuses on broad
lecture courses. The opportunity, however, for concentration
on critical theory and independent research is also important,
especially after one has taken three or four of one’s
lecture course requirements. The majors’ colloquium
is designed to introduce students to the larger issues
of critical theory that may not have been the specific
focus of lecture courses. Seminars on a variety of subjects
allow students to expand their abilities for independent
research. A studio course is included such that students
have had at least some introduction to the practices of
art and architecture as those fields inform their study
of art history. |
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Who do I speak to about this major?
How does the department structure its faculty for advising
purposes? |
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Students interested in a major or concentration in the Department of Art History and Archaeology should contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies and/or the department’s Student Coordinator. For 2007-2008, the Director
of Undergraduate Studies is Professor Zoë Strother.
The Student Coordinator is Luke Barclay.
All students consult directly with the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Seniors working on theses should meet regularly with their thesis advisors. In the junior year, junior majors are encouraged to meet informally with faculty who have volunteered to be junior advisors. |
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When should I declare my major? |
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You should declare your major or concentration at the
end of your sophomore year or the beginning of the junior
year. Students who have completed the majority of the
requirements have been known to declare their major or
concentration later. |
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What research opportunities exist
in or through the department? |
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Depending on the year, a number of research opportunities
exist in the department. These range from opportunities
to work in the Wallach Art Gallery, an archaeology research
lab, with media center facilities, and on library research.
There are also summer research and fieldwork opportunities
in and outside of the department. Students interested
in research opportunities should ask the Director of Undergraduate
Studies or the Student Coordinator. Work study opportunities
also exist for students wanting to be involved in faculty
research. Please contact Josh Sakolsky in the Department office. |
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Will study abroad enhance this major? |
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Depending on your specific area of interest, study abroad
is recommended. Each year students in the department,
normally in their junior year, study abroad mainly in
Europe. Choice of a study abroad program should be made
through consultation with a faculty advisor, such as the
Director of Undergraduate Studies as well as the Associate
Dean of Student Affairs, Kathleen
McDermott. Sheet has to be submitted in hard copy
to the Director of Undergraduate Studies
[ Click
to download study abroad form. ] |
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How might a sample track or course
of study look? |
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There are several different approaches
to coursework for the major. One example appears here.
You should plan your course of study to suit your particular
interests. This course of study would be considered both
thorough and extensive. Note that this course of study
can be read either with the Introduction to the history
of art and the Senior thesis or without it.
Year 1 fall: [Introduction to the history of art Part
1 (BC1001x)]
Year 1 spring: Introduction to Architecture (C3001x);
[Introduction to the History of art Part 2 (BC1002y)]
Year 2 fall: Greek Art and Architecture (V3248); Studio
Art (drawing, painting, etc.)
Year 2 spring: Italian Renaissance Painting (V3437); The
Arts of China (V3201)
Year 3 fall: Archaeological Theory and Practice (W4001);
Nineteenth Century Art (W3600)
Year 3 spring: Majors’ Colloquium (W3895); Gothic
architecture (W4357)
Year 4 fall: [Senior thesis (C3997);] Seminar on Portraiture
(C3969)
Year 4 spring: [Senior thesis (C3998);] Seminar on Venice
(C3928) |
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How does one receive departmental
honors? |
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A student earns honors through his or her cumulative
grade point average and the writing of a senior thesis.
You must write a thesis to earn honors. However, writing
a thesis does not guarantee honors. The final GPA must
be at least 3.67 in classes taken for the major. The faculty
of the Department of Art History and Archaeology submits
recommendations to the College Committee on Honors, Awards,
and Prizes for confirmation. Normally no more than ten
percent of the graduating majors in the department receive
departmental honors. |
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What awards and prizes are sponsored
by the department? |
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The department will offer up to two Senior
Thesis Research Fellowships for travel to distant
museums and building sites, libraries, or archives. This
travel is normally undertaken during the summer before
senior year. Fellowship applications consisting of a carefully
edited thesis proposal and supporting letter from a faculty
sponsor should be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate
Studies. The deadline for 2008–2009 is April 21,
2009. |
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Are there any student clubs, committees,
and/or activities offered within or through the department? |
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Art History Underground is active in organizing student
led events for Art History and Archaeology majors, concentrators,
and other students with interest. Their events are supported
by the department. They organize museum visits, meetings
with artists and architects, discussion groups centered
around art publications, and panel discussions of current
topics. If you are interested in Art History Underground,
please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies or
the Student Coordinator for the department. |
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What career opportunities follow upon
study in this field? |
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A student who majors in art history and archaeology
is prepared to pursue a variety of careers that include
critical thinking (see above). For those students who
decide to pursue careers specific to art history and archaeology,
they should consult with their faculty advisors. Students
may choose to pursue higher education to the MA or PhD
level. Students with an undergraduate degree are eligible
to apply for jobs in museums, galleries, publishing, secondary
level education, cultural heritage centers, the government,
to name a few. Higher level education is recommended after
students gain a year or so of practical experience following
their undergraduate degree. Some students choose to go
to graduate school directly following their graduation
from Columbia. |
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Who should I consult about graduate
study within this field? |
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For graduate study you should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Study, Professor Zoë Strother, and
Graduate Studies, Professor Zainab Bahrani. Students may, of course, consult with any of the other faculty in the department, especially if they have previously formed a working relationship through coursework and/or independent research.
Also consult frequently asked
questions about graduate admissions for detailed information
about the application process. |
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