MA in Art History and Visual Culture
Richmond’s MA in Art History and Visual Culture is concerned with contemporary intercultural issues in the visual arts and preparing students for careers and scholarship in the arts and creative cultural industries. The one-year MA comprises a Fall and Spring semester of coursework followed by an internship and final preparation of the thesis.
Applications and Admissions
Admission to the MA in Art History and Visual Culture normally requires a bachelor degree with a major in Art History or related discipline in the arts or humanities. Applicants with other undergraduate majors will be evaluated individually and may be required to take several key undergraduate courses as pre-requisites. Applications must be accompanied by a£50 non-refundable application fee.
In the Fall semester students acquire knowledge of the key theoretical and methodological considerations required for working with the visual arts in the 2010s, applying this knowledge to key examples, especially those held in the world class collections of the museums and galleries of London. These rigorous academic apparatus are balanced by training in the conceptual professional practices required for working in the arts and creative industries.
In the Spring semester, the theoretical and methodological background of the Fall curriculum is applied in sustained analysis of contemporary visual culture on the global stage. Research begins on the dissertation, as students seek innovative material and fresh directions for thinking through visual culture. And, students apply their conceptual knowledge on professional practices to practical, working examples. After completion of the coursework, in the Summer students undertake an internship at a gallery, museum or other arts institution and complete their dissertations.
Semester I: Fall
- Art & its Histories (3 Credits)
- World Arts (3 Credits)
- Research Methods (3 Credits)
- Foundations of Professional Practice (3 Credits)
Semester II: Spring
- Contemporary Art (3 Credits)
- Visual Cultures (3 Credits)
- Thesis Research (3 Credits)
- Foundations of Professional Practice (3 Credits)
Semester III: Summer
- Internship (3 Credits)
- Thesis Research (3 Credits)
Ongoing
- Research & Professional Practices (3 Credits)
Course codes and full course descriptions to follow
Students are required to be in London from early May to Mid-June for thesis supervision and seminars. The thesis is handed in no later than September 1. Students must be registered for ARH 696.
Graduate Certificate in Art History and Visual Culture
The Graduate Certificate in Art History and Visual Culture is awarded to students registered on the MA who have successfully completed in good academic standing (with a 3.0 GPA / B average / Pass) for all coursework components but: 1) fail to submit the thesis ( without extenuating circumstances eligible for resubmission), or 2) fail to pass the thesis. The Certificate is therefore conferrable as an exit award in recognition of successful completion of graduate coursework, but it is not possible for students to register on the Graduate Certificate.
A minimum of 24 credits, are required from the following coursework:
- Art & its Histories (3 Credits)
- World Arts (3 Credits)
- Foundations of Professional Practice (3 Credits)
- Research Methods (3 Credits)
- Contemporary Art (3 Credits)
- Foundations of Professional Practice (3 Credits)
- Visual Cultures (3 Credits)
- Thesis Research (3 Credits)
- Research & Professional Practices (3 Credits)
- articulate a systematic knowledge of the interdisciplinary theories and methods related to the study of visual culture in a contemporary global setting and in historical context;
- evince visual literacy including formal analysis, critical engagement with texts and objects, and graduate level research, writing and presentation skills;
- demonstrate the skills and experience required to work as scholars and professionals in the arts and creative cultural industries.
Minimum Requirements
Fall
Semester II: Spring
Ongoing
Course codes and full course descriptions to follow
Learning Outcomes
Successful students will be able to:
