Program Overview
Webster University's Art History and Criticism program explores global cultures through artistic productions, fostering critical engagement with the past and present. Students balance a strong art historical foundation with interdisciplinary studies, culminating in a thesis project presented at an annual symposium. Taught by active professionals, the program prepares graduates for careers in the art world, academia, and community engagement.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Art History and Criticism program at Webster University aims to explore the world and its cultures through artistic productions. It provides insight into the values and concerns of various peoples, the ways in which they interpreted and interacted with their environment, and helps to determine the impacts and outcomes of such outlooks on our future. Through such critical engagement with the past and present, the art history student becomes uniquely situated to help determine their community’s and culture’s identities and its decisions. In this, the Art History and Criticism program participates within Webster University’s mission to create global citizens. The program’s close relationship with the department’s studio programs lends a strong contemporary focus to the department’s outlook, and the student’s studies, while a simultaneous focus on the foundations of contemporary culture provide historical groundwork.
Outline:
The Art History and Criticism program at Webster University balances a strong art historical foundation for further study with space for students to explore other interests whether specifically complementary or not. The diverse curricular offerings of the university complement the interdisciplinary nature of art history, allowing students to pursue interests in other disciplines that also assist in their art historical studies. After taking introductory courses in both areas, students take advanced courses in two major tracks — early modern art and modern/contemporary art. Additional offerings in non-western and ancient art round out the learning opportunities. As a final project, Art History and Criticism majors produce a thesis in an area of their choosing and present it at the annual Art History and Criticism Symposium.
Teaching:
The Art History and Criticism program at Webster University is taught by faculty who are active professionals in their field. They curate exhibitions in the Hunt Gallery, publish scholarship and criticism, and speak publicly on a regular basis. They bring that same professionalism to their courses and to their students.
Careers:
The Art History and Criticism program at Webster University prepares students for work in the art world should they choose to continue in that career. Graduates have successfully pursued paths to graduate school, museums, art foundations, galleries, academics, and ultimately to contribute to their community in whichever form and field they choose.
