Undergraduate Concentration Information
Undergraduate concentrators in HAA study a range of chronological periods and cultures in both lecture courses and seminars. They are encouraged to explore various forms of material and visual culture and become familiar with critical practices from several disciplines. We also encourage language study and some facility in artistic practice for all students. HAA students are required to achieve second year reading competency in a foreign language, while Architectural Studies concentrators must take one design course.
Concentrators in HAA learn to interpret and historicize the conditions of making, viewing and collecting paintings, sculptures, prints, and other material culture, and they also study the history and theories of architecture and urban development. This form of training encourages students to pose important questions about the larger world of cultures past and present. Graduates of this program have gone on to careers in higher education, museum work, architecture, historic preservation, publishing, cultural property law and related fields.
Concentration Advising
Students who wish to concentrate in the History of Art and Architecture or Architectural Studies are welcome to do so after consultation with the Departmental Undergraduate Supervisor, Professor Douglas Nickel. Professor Nickel's office hours are Wednesday 2:00 - 4:00.
Concentration Forms are obtainable from the Office of the Registrar.
The Concentration Supervisor should be consulted for matters concerning course selection, approval to take RISD courses, approval to study abroad, and the final approval of transfer credits for courses taken outside of Brown.
Taking RISD Courses
Brown students may take as many as four courses at the Rhode Island School of Design (but as noted above, History of Art and Architecture concentrators can count only two of these for concentration credit). Only two circumstances will require a student to petition in advance of registration: when students wish to study at RISD for 5 or more courses and when students intend to enroll in a RISD course that satisfies RISD's Liberal Arts degree requirements. The Committee on Academic Standing (CAS) demands that students who desire to have more than 4 RISD courses counted toward their Brown degree present an academic rationale in each instance. In the event of Brown/RISD curricular overlap, students are asked to enroll in the Brown course.
Study Abroad Programs/Summer School
Information on approved programs for study abroad may be obtained at the Office of International Programs in Rhode Island Hall. Forms necessary for preliminary and final approval are also available there for the concentration advisor's signature. Transfer credits will be counted as lecture courses rather than seminars. Concentrators may receive concentration credit for two courses taken abroad. Summer courses require advance approval from the concentration advisor, and should be at least six weeks long, excluding the final examination, in order to count for Brown credit.
Departmental Awards and Prizes
Flexible Flyer Award: A prize is awarded in alternate years to a Visual Arts, Architectural Studies or History of Art and Architecture concentrator in order to provide a small amount of financial assistance towards completing a project. The undergraduate applicants are requested to write a proposal describing the purpose to which the award would be applied. The competition is announced each Spring semester. 2008 Flexible Flyer Announcement.
George Downing Prize in Art History: This annual award is for an outstanding term paper or project prepared by an undergraduate. Papers are chosen for this competition by the faculty.
Ann Belsky Moranis Prize: This annual award made to an outstanding senior concentrating in the History of Art or Architectural Studies is given by the faculty in memory of Ann Belsky Moranis.
Prize for Outstanding Honors Project: An annual award is made for an outstanding Honors thesis or project prepared by a concentrator.
Teaching or Research Assistantships: Undergraduate Teaching Assistantships are occasionally available for advanced and capable senior art history concentrators at the discretion of the department. Research Assistantships may be available on a competitive basis through the Karen T. Rohmer UTRA awards, which are administered by the office of the Dean of the College.