UCO: Majors - History of Art and Visual Culture

The History of Art and Visual Culture program focuses on helping students orient themselves within contemporary society through an engagement in art historical knowledge and questioning identities, assumptions, and memories. The program is unique for its focus on art histories of societies globally, with a broader knowledge of the contemporary period, through an emphasis on reading, discussion, and writing, rather than lectures and tests. In each course, students practice critical thinking by interpreting primary and secondary art historical sources to construct their own historically grounded understanding of art historical issues. In addition, students broaden their cultural and global competence, by participating in internships, studies abroad, by conducting independent research projects, and by presenting at regional and national conferences.

The program culminates in a BA thesis, giving students an opportunity to work in depth on individually chosen specific art historical issues. The thesis project therefore enables students to utilize and further develop their critical thinking, research, writing, and presentation skills, as well as art historical theories and methods.

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girl presenting a paper in front of African art

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History of Art and Visual Culture provides a thorough grounding required for a four-year degree in art history, while preparing students interested in graduate schools and a diversity of professions in the increasingly global world. The majority of courses consist of art historical discussion classes, rigorous research, and class and public presentations. These practices permit students to develop a general knowledge of art and visual culture, architecture, and artists, to exercise comparative studies, to acquire a broader understanding of contemporary art historical issues. In each course, students exercise critical thinking through rigorous research, writing, and presentation skills. The program expresses clearly to students both the degree (liberal arts in art history) and the focus of the program on the transcultural artistic exchanges considering the traditional Western art history curriculum and non-Western art concepts. The program contributes to both to UCO’s focus on global and cultural competence and to current international academic emphasis on teaching the history of global art histories.

Degree Sheet

Scholarships & Tuition Waivers

The UCO College of Fine Arts and Design annually awards more than $150,000 in scholarships with more than 90 scholarship opportunities. Our talented and ambitious students ensure that CFAD remains a center for excellence in the fine and performing arts. CFAD scholarships recognize the dedication displayed in the classroom, in performances and in exhibitions, as well as help our students make their studies a primary focal point and not monetary stress.

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