Jennie Klein , Chair
Department Faculty List
Mission Statement
The art history area promotes individual growth in visual intelligence, analytical rigor, and scholarly creativity in preparation for advanced academic study and practical work in the field. As students develop interpretive and research skills, they learn to express their ideas in an increasingly professional manner through papers and oral presentations. Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities offered to study art in context through Ohio University international programs, participate in museum internships, and present work at student symposia.
The Program
The Master of Arts in art history is a two-year program in the School of Art. Coursework includes a sequence of art history courses and seminars at the advanced level, directed electives, and proof of reading competency in French, German, or another language approved by the faculty. It is assumed that those interested in preparing themselves fully for careers in art history will, after completing the M.A., enter a program in Doctoral studies. The art history faculty at the School of Art make every effort to prepare students for this goal. The art history department's alumni are currently directors of galleries and museums, and professors and deans of Fine Art schools. Recent alumni have completed doctorates at Indiana University, Emory University, Columbia University, and the University of North Carolina.
Facilities
The Fine Arts Library, located in Ohio University's Alden Library, is a research facility which is particularly strong in Renaissance, 19th Century, Modern Art, and the History of Photography. Additional resources include a special collection of manuscript facsimiles and a multi volume corps of prints, the Illustrated Bartsch.
On-campus study collections available to all art history students include the Kennedy Collection of Native American Art, the Kennedy Collection of African Art, the Trisolini Contemporary Print Collection, and the Kennedy Museum of Art.
The Visual Resources Library, housed in Alden Library, contains over 180,000 images covering every aspect of art history, including prints, drawings, ceramics, fashion, and photography.
The State of Ohio is rich in public art museums, with institutions in Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown. Faculty routinely arranges field trips to them as supplements to classwork.