Studies in Art and Architectural History provides students with an understanding of the visual arts in relation to society, culture and history. The curriculum reflects a multidisciplinary approach to visual culture, drawing from the departments of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation. Insights from the historian, the preservationist and the practitioner culminate in a full appreciation of the rich complexity of our material world. The synergy between these disciplines also promotes a realization of the interconnectedness of the arts and the close connection of materials and process with meaning.
The understanding of the “why” of the arts, a crucial foundation for the creative process and the preservation of artifacts, is pursued through these several distinct disciplinary lenses. The unique and particular strength of the program is this interdisciplinary focus.
The degree program makes use of the rich museum and gallery environment of the region for course work as well as for student internships. Art and Architectural History courses offered through the Roger Williams University Florence, Italy study abroad program are an exciting and valuable option in completing the major. Students majoring in Art and Architectural History are also encouraged to take those courses relevant to the history of cultures offered in the Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences.
The Art and Architectural History major is complementary to others offered in the School. Compact major requirements also allow students to easily complete a double major in any number of liberal arts fields, or certification program in Elementary or Secondary Education. The program prepares students for graduate study in Art and Architectural History, Museum Studies, Education, and careers in teaching, museum work, art conservation or the commercial art world.
Degree Requirements
The program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Architectural History is a 12-course, 36-credit major. The courses build upon a two-course introductory sequence, a seven-course intermediate level, two advanced seminars and a senior seminar or thesis. This flexible program is tailored to the particular interests and goals of each student who may, beginning at the intermediate level, develop a six-course concentration in either Art History or Architectural History.
Introductory Courses
AAH 121-122 History of Art and Architecture I-II
Intermediate Courses
AAH 305 Theory and Methods of Art and
Architectural History
And six from the following menu of options
AAH 311 History of American Art
AAH 312 History of Modern Art
AAH 313 History of African Art
AAH 317 Giotto to Leonardo
AAH 318 Michelangelo to Vasari
AAH 319 History of Italian Renaissance Art
AAH 320 The Art of Buon Fresco
AAH 321 Art and Architecture in the Classical World
AAH 322 Art and Architecture in the Medieval World
AAH 323 Art and Architecture in the Islamic World
ARCH 324 Evolution of Urban Form
ARCH 325 History of Modern Architecture I:
The Enlightenment to the Avant-Garde
ARCH 326 History of Modern Architecture II:
20th Century
ARCH 327 History of American Architecture
ARCH 328 Renaissance Architecture in Perspective
ARCH 329 History of Landscape Architecture
AAH 330 Topics in Art and
Architectural History
HP 341 Pre-industrial America
HP 342 Industrial America
Advanced Seminars
Two of the following:
AAH 421 Issues in Contemporary Art
AAH 423 Nature and Art
AAH 430 Special Topics in Art and Architectural
History
ARCH 472 Modern Urban Design Theory
ARCH 475 Frank Lloyd Wright: A Life’s Work
ARCH 478 Dutch Architecture: An Enduring 20th
Century Legacy
ARCH 573 Modernism in the Non-Western World
ARCH 576 Theoretical Origins of Modernism
400 level courses in Art and Architectural History from the Institute for Fine and Liberal Arts of the Palazzo Rucellai.
and
AAH 497 Senior Seminar
or
AAH 450 Senior Thesis
Optional Concentration
Students may elect to pursue a six-course concentration from the intermediate courses and advanced seminars in either Art History or Architectural History.
Art History Concentration: six from AAH 311, AAH 312, AAH 313, AAH 317, AAH 318, AAH 319, AAH 321, AAH 322, AAH 323, AAH 330 (relevant topics), AAH 421, AAH 423, AAH 430 (relevant topics)
Architectural History Concentration: six from ARCH 324, ARCH 325, ARCH 326, ARCH 327, ARCH 328, ARCH 329, AAH 321, AAH 322, AAH 323, AAH 330 (relevant topics), HP 341, HP 342, AAH 430 (relevant topics), Arch 472, Arch 475, AAH 423, ARCH 573, ARCH 576
The six-course, 18-credit minor is composed of a two-course introductory survey, three intermediate courses selected from a menu of options, and one advanced seminar course.
AAH 121-122 History of Art and Architecture I-II
Three Intermediate Courses from the Art and Architectural History Major
One Advanced Seminar from the Art and Architectural History Major