Design, Environment and the Ar - Arizona State U

The PhD in Design, Environment and the Arts (History, Theory and Criticism) at ASU equips students with critical thinking and research skills in architectural, design, and art history. The program offers a broad-based curriculum covering various cultures, geographies, and methodologies, preparing graduates for careers in academia, research, museums, and other cultural institutions. Students engage with a distinguished faculty and have access to extensive research resources, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

Program Outline

Design, Environment and the Arts (History, Theory and Criticism), PhD

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Design, Environment and the Arts (History, Theory and Criticism) focuses on the theoretical dimensions of architecture, design, and art histories, including critical discourse within these disciplines. The program offers a broad-based, on-demand curriculum that covers various cultures, geographies, time periods, and methodologies within art history. Students gain an encyclopedic understanding of fundamental issues in the aforementioned areas.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

Equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to function as independent scholars.
Develop critical thinking and research skills within the context of architectural, design, and art history.
Foster a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks and methodologies in the field.
Prepare graduates for careers in academia, research, museums, and other cultural institutions.

Outline:

Required Core (6 credit hours):
EPD 700 Research Methods (3)
EPD 710 Current Research in Design (3)
Required Concentration (15 credit hours): Choose five courses from a selection of Art History and Architectural History courses covering various topics, methodologies, and time periods.
Research (12 credit hours): EPD 792 or ARS 792 Research (12)
Electives (39 credit hours): Choose from a wide range of electives in various areas of art history, architectural history, design history, and related fields.
Culminating Experience (12 credit hours): EPD 799 or ARS 799 Dissertation (12)

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a combination of methods, including:

Coursework assignments
Research papers
Presentations
Comprehensive exams
Dissertation

Teaching:

The program is taught by a distinguished faculty with expertise in various areas of art history, architectural history, design history, and critical theory. The teaching methods emphasize critical thinking, active learning, and independent research. The program utilizes a seminar format to facilitate in-depth discussion and exploration of complex topics.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for diverse careers in:

Academia (professors, researchers)
Museums and galleries (curators, educators)
Cultural institutions (critics, administrators)
Research institutions
Government agencies
Independent scholarship and consulting

Other:

The program offers opportunities for global engagement through study abroad programs and international research collaborations.
The program fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to engage with faculty and peers in meaningful discussions and research projects.