Art History (PhD)

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Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Disciplinary Knowledge: Demonstrate mastery of the principal works, texts, methods, discussions and problems in a chosen field or fields of study within art and/or architectural history.
  • Disciplinary Knowledge: Demonstrate ability to analyze and critique discourse in a chosen field or fields of study within art and/or architectural history.
  • Disciplinary Knowledge: Demonstrate proficiency in at least one language beyond English, selected to facilitate advanced research and analysis in a chosen field or fields of study.
  • Disciplinary Knowledge: Demonstrate ability to develop and realize a comprehensive program of independent research as a means of establishing oneself as a part of a professional community.
  • Career Preparedness: Demonstrate awareness of relevant career options, job search networks, cover letter and CV preparation, interview techniques, and other relevant skills.
  • Career Preparedness: Demonstrate readiness to assume professional roles in the academy, the museum, and related institutions via conference and workshop presentations, publications, graduate certificates, and other relevant professional activities.
  • Engagement: Demonstrate knowledge, ethics, and skills to produce and disseminate scholarship representing diverse perspectives in a responsible and equitable manner.
  • Engagement: Demonstrate ability to convey the relevance of art and architectural works, histories, and methods (e.g., critical visual analysis) to diverse publics, within and beyond academia.

Doctor of Philosophy Requirements

To fulfill the requirements for the PhD, students are expected to take a total of 72 credits, selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Of the 72 credits, at least 36 credits must be in ARH courses and taken for a letter grade. Of the 36 graduate credits required, a minimum of 12 must be in graduate seminars (600 level), including Graduate Studies in Art History (ARH 611). Students are required to complete all required course work before taking their field exams. A maximum of 4 credits of ARH 601 Research: [Topic] or Special Problems: [Topic] (ARH 605) can be applied to the 20 credits in the student's major and minor fields, if those credits are taken with the major or minor field examiner and if they are taken for a letter grade.

Students are expected to declare a major field of study by spring term of their first year. Students are required to take a minimum of 12 credits in their major field and at least 8 credits in their minor field at the graduate level (500 or 600 level) prior to taking their field exams.

Students entering the PhD program with an MA in hand may petition to waive some course work requirements to more quickly progress through the program. University policy specifies that at least one full-time academic year—the residency year—must be completed following admission into the doctoral program. During this year of residency, the student is expected to make progress toward the degree by completing course credits and satisfying doctoral degree requirements. The residency year consists of three consecutive terms of full-time UO course work toward the degree, with a minimum of 9 completed graduate credits a term. Courses in Research: [Topic] (ARH 601), Special Problems: [Topic] (ARH 605), and other individualized study options may be a part of the 9 credits, but the majority of the year of residency is expected to consist of regular graduate course work.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students should acquire a research capability in two foreign languages appropriate to the student’s area of study as soon as possible in their academic program, unless otherwise approved by the student's advisor.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are required to complete all required course work before taking their field exams. Students are officially advanced to candidacy in the PhD program upon completion of two written field exams: one in a major field in art and architectural history and one in a minor field in art and architectural history or another discipline with departmental approval. The department offers field examinations in the following categories:

  • Greek
  • Roman
  • Latin American
  • North American
  • Medieval
  • Modern
  • Contemporary
  • Chinese
  • Japanese

Additional information regarding the PhD is available from the Department of the History of Art and Architecture office or on the website.