Through innovative research, teaching, and outreach activities, the Department of Art History takes a leading role in promoting visual literacy, emphasizing careful attention to continuities and differences across human history and world cultures. Examining expressive forms, from artifacts to new media, the department explores the ways in which art and visual and material culture are fully integrated into larger cultural histories. A specialized focus on images, objects, and the built environment promotes critical and creative approaches to analysis, problem-solving, writing and visual communication in a variety of media. Interdisciplinary collaborations encourage aesthetic, historical, economic, and ethical questions, in order to produce new knowledge, sophisticated readers, engaged writers, critical viewers, independent thinkers, and confident cultural citizens who are well prepared to thrive in global society.

Students considering art history as a major should come to the department for advising as early as possible in their undergraduate careers. Upon declaration, students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the undergraduate program advisor to ensure timely progress toward completion of the degree. Annual meetings with the director of undergraduate studies are also highly encouraged.

People

Professors Andrzejewski, Cahill, Casid, Chopra, Dale, De Ferrari, Marshall, Wolf (chair)

Associate Professors Li, Phillips-Court, Pruitt

Assistant Professors Bennett, Spaulding

Affiliate Professors Abdu’Allah, Aylward, Clark, Kern, Moskowitz, Nadler, Wolf

Affiliate Associate Professor Carter

Affiliate Assistant Professor Campbell

Affiliate UW–Milwaukee Associate Professors Benyamin, Moon, Sen