Overview
The Visual Studies Track is an interdisciplinary concentration for completing the Master of Humanities program. It provides students focused studies in disciplines that apply critical analysis to our visual world, such as art history, museum studies, film studies, new media studies, and cultural studies. In a world whose work forces and creative citizenry are focused on the growth and use of visual technologies, visual literacy with sophisticated analytic skills is critical. Successful engagement with an image-driven and technological society necessitates an understanding if the use and encoding of imagery. The Visual Studies Track provides students with the critical tools for engaging with advanced history, concepts and philosophies especially centered on visual culture, art history, visual communication studies, film studies, and new media studies.
Target Audience:
Areas of application for such studies include: museums and cultural institutions, curatorial and research positions, arts administration, non-profit community-based organizations, advertising, promotion, and marketing. The track is likewise relevant for students interested in pursuing doctoral work in related fields. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to enter the job market immediately, or they may use this track as a stepping stone toward a Ph.D. or another advanced degree.
Suggested Advisors
English: Dr. Gillian Silverman
English: Dr. Sarah Hagelin
Interdisciplinary Studies: Dr. Omar Swartz
Visual Arts Dept. CAM: Dr. Jeffrey Schrader
Visual Arts Dept. CAM: Dr. Maria Buszek
Master of Humanities Core Requirements:
*IDST 5020 Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Studies (every Fall)
**IDST 5013 Methods and Practices of Interdisciplinary Studies (every Spring)
*** IDST 5023 Research Perspective in Interdisciplinary Studies (once a year)
Visual Studies Track Requirements: In addition to the program’s core required courses, the following are required:
1. One 3-credit methods or theory class (see below),
- ENGL 5420 Film Theory and Criticism
- FINE 5790 Art History Methods (offered every fall)
- HUMN/IDST 5660 Visual Arts: Its Past, Present, and Interpretations****
2. A minimum of 18-credit hours of Visual Arts related courses, and
3. A final project (3-credit hours) or thesis (6-credit hours) on a Visual Studies topic.
Suggested Elective Courses for the Track
Below is a list of pre-approved courses for the track. Be aware that it is not comprehensive and that departments change their offerings regularly. Always check with the department to see when a given course might be scheduled. Also check with your MHMSS Program advisor to discuss additional course opportunities.
ARCH 5210 Introduction to Architecture
ARCH 5220 History and Theory of Architecture I
ARCH 5230 History and Theory of Architecture II
ARCH 6210 A History of American Architecture
ARCH 6212 History of Modern Architecture
ARCH 6220 A History of Theoretical Discourse on Architecture
COMM 5230 Nonverbal Communication
COMM 5621 Visual Communication
ENGL 5420 Film Theory and Criticism
ENGL 5770 Topics in English: Film and Literature
FINE 4990 Contemporary Art: 1960 to the Present
FINE 5523 Topics in Art History I: Art Before Modernism
FINE 5524 Topics in Art History II: Modern and Contemporary
FINE 5610 Pre-Columbian Art
FINE 5620 American Art
FINE 5632 History of Digital Media
FINE 5670 Greek and Roman Art
FINE 5680 Art of the Middle Ages
FINE 5700 Italian Renaissance Art
FINE 5705 Northern Renaissance Art
FINE 5710 Baroque and Rococo Art
FINE 5730 Arts of Japan
FINE 5750 Arts of China
FINE 5770 Art of India and Southeast Asia
FINE 5790: Methods in Art History
FINE 5990 Contemporary Art 1960 to the Present
HIST 5232 - Historic Preservation
HIST 5244 Interpretation of History in Museums: Exhibits and Education
IDST 5660 Visual Arts: Its Past, Present, and Interpretations****
IDST/WGST 5720 Sex, Gender, and Visual Representation (Previously HUMN 5720 Sexuality, Gender and Their Visual Representation)
IDST/WGST 5770 Viewing Empire: The Art of Imperial and Colonial Propaganda (Previously HUMN 5770 Selling Empires: The Art of Visual Propaganda)
PHIL 5220 Aesthetics and the Philosophy of Art
PHIL 5920 Philosophy of Media and Technology
*Previously HUMN 5025 Foundations and Theories in Interdisciplinary Humanities
**Previously HUMN 5013 Methods and Practices of Interdisciplinary Studies
***Previously HUMN 5924 Directed Research and Readings in Interdisciplinary Humanities
****Previously HUMN 5660 Visual Arts: Interpretations and Contexts
For more information about this or any track within the Master of Humanities program, contact:
Omar Swartz, Graduate Advisor, Interdisciplinary Studies: omar.swartz@ucdenver.edu or
Margaret Woodhull, Director, Interdisciplinary Studies: margaret.woodhull@ucdenver.edu or
E-mail: masterhs@ucdenver.edu
Website: http://clas.ucdenver.edu/mhmss
Office: Student Commons Building, 3203
Phone: 303-315-3565