Art Concentration: Critical Studies and Artistic Practice
The School of Art participates with the faculties in music, theatre & dance, and philosophy in an interdisciplinary program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in Fine Arts. Students engage a core curriculum of 15 hours that emphasizes interdisciplinarity among the arts: four required courses include a colloquium that explores disciplinary formation and types of interdisciplinary engagement; arts histories; arts in a contemporary context; and philosophical aesthetics. An additional approved topics or aesthetics course completes a student’s core program. Within the disciplinary track (art), is offered a concentration termed “Critical Studies and Artistic Practice.”
In addition to the fine arts core curriculum, students engage a “Critical Studies and Artistic Practice” Core of 12 hours, consisting of interdisciplinary topics in the visual arts. Beyond the two groups of core classes, students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of individualized coursework, including 12 hours of dissertation work. Individualized coursework may be chosen, with consent of the advisor, from two of the following fields of study: history of art, art education, critical studies, museum studies, arts administration, and studio art (if the student holds an appropriate master’s), as well as theatre and music. The residence requirement for the doctoral program with major in Fine Arts is fulfilled by satisfactory completion of 18 semester hours of graduate coursework during one 12-month period. This is usually accomplished with one consecutive fall-spring schedule, or summer sessions I and II consecutive with either a fall or a spring semester. The complete program is explained in the introductory catalog section to the Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts.
For acceptance into the doctoral program, we strongly recommend but do not require that the applicant have a master’s degree, or its equivalent, with emphasis in a visual arts area. Every effort is made to select candidates who show strong scholarship and professional competence. Art doctoral faculty will evaluate each applicant’s professional goals and any evidence of progress toward these goals. More specific qualifications will pertain to specific career directions. Applicants must include GRE scores.
For admission into this program, the art doctoral faculty review the applicant’s dossier. A personal interview is recommended. If approved, the applicant is recommended by the committee to the college’s Graduate Committee for acceptance into the program. Acceptance is also contingent upon meeting the admission requirements of the Graduate School. After admission, a specific degree plan is determined.
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