Undergraduate concentrators in HIAA study the visual culture of a range of historical periods and geographic regions in both lecture courses and seminars. They are encouraged to explore various forms of expression in 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. HIAA students are required to achieve second year reading competency in a foreign language, while Architectural Studies concentrators must take one design course.

Concentrators in HIAA learn to interpret and historicize the conditions of making, viewing and collecting paintings, sculptures, prints, and other objects of material culture, and they also study the history and theories of architecture and urban development. This form of training enables 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 Jeffrey Muller.  Professor Muller's office hours for Semester II 2012-2013 are :
Wednesday 2:00-4:00p and Friday 2:00-3:00p in List Art Building, room 411.

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 J. Walter Wilson Buidling,  Suite 510.  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 five weeks long, excluding the final examination, in order to count for Brown credit.