ARTH 499: Art History Capstone (WI)
Prerequisites: Senior standing and Art History Concentration
Credit Hours: (3)
The goal of the capstone is demonstration of the ability to apply appropriate art historical methodologies to a research question chosen by the student.
Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.
Detailed Description of Course
Ideally generated by papers and topics investigated in previous 400-level art histories, the capstone is an undergraduate thesis. In addition to producing a written thesis, students in the capstone will be expected to submit a presentation proposal to a research forum or symposium.
All art history concentrations will participate in the capstone in the second semester of their senior year. Although they will work independently on their own area of research, seminar meetings will bring all the capstone students together periodically to discuss their progress, problem-solve research difficulties, and serve as a forum for planning presentations. Professional presentations and publications are the core of the professional art historian’s existence. The capstone paper is often the first publication that a student may achieve, and although it is more likely for a graduate student to present a paper at a conference, professional conferences now have sessions dedicated to undergraduate research. This can be the first professional step for a graduating art history major.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The capstone seminar will initially meet more frequently (once a week) as students begin the process of formulating their research questions and plans. As the semester progresses, seminar meetings will be replaced by individual consultation with the student’s faculty advisor as each student pursues work on her own project. All students will be expected to submit a paper proposal to an appropriate research forum. Presentation rehearsals will take place in the seminar.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Although all the art history learning objectives will be reinforced in this class, students in this class will demonstrate advanced mastery of the ability to:
Produce a thesis-based, research art historical paper using an appropriate combination of academic, archival and field-based (interviews, exhibitions, manuscript examination) research sources
Present the results of original research at a departmental, university-wide or regional forum or symposium
Conduct themselves on a professional level as they present their paper and respond to questions from the audience.
Assessment Measures
Assessment will be based on the quality of the work produced. Each step in the research process will be critiqued and contribute to the final grade.
Other Course Information
Textbooks (preliminary ideas, subject to change)
Review and Approval
2012
05/12/2011
March 01, 2021