Program Overview

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History of Art and Archaeology (PhD)

Overview

The Institute of Fine Arts is dedicated to graduate teaching and advanced research in the history of art and archeology and in the conservation and technology of works of art. The Institute strives to give its students not only a sound knowledge in the history of art, but also a foundation in research, connoisseurship, and theory as a basis for independent critical judgment and research.

Program Description

The PhD Program at the Institute of Fine Arts is a course of study designed for the person who wants to investigate the role of the visual arts in culture through detailed, object-based examination as well as historical and theoretical interpretation. The degree program provides a focused and rigorous experience supported by interaction with the leading scholars of the Institute, and access to New York area museums, curators, conservators, archaeological sites, and NYU's global network.

Archaeological Excavations

At present, the Institute conducts five active excavations in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and Science: at Abydos, Egypt; at Aphrodisias, Turkey; at Sanam, Sudan; at Selinunte, Sicily; and at Samothrace, Greece. Advanced students are invited to participate in these excavations and may be supported financially by the Institute.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation
• A non-refundable application fee

Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 72 credits, as follows:

• PhD Seminar (six seminar courses required): 24 credits
• One course in the Technical Studies of Works of Art: 4 credits
• Electives: 44 credits Total Credits: 72

Additional Program Requirements

Language Requirement

Students are required to pass examinations in two modern languages relevant to their area of specialization, and are expected to learn other languages that will equip them for advanced research in their chosen fields.

Qualifying Paper

The Qualifying Paper may be developed from seminar work or might be on a topic devised in consultation with the student's advisor. Normally, the student will be advised to produce a detailed study on a subject that leads towards the dissertation.

Major Exam

Following the completion of their coursework, PhD students are examined on a major field consisting of two contiguous areas and on a third minor area, which can be in a related field or provide skills necessary for their dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal

The proposal must be presented to a dissertation committee no later than six months after passing the major examinations. The proposal presentation provides a forum for the committee and the student to discuss intellectual and methodological aspects of the dissertation and to formulate research plans.

Dissertation

The dissertation may contain no more than 250 pages of text. Permission to exceed this limit can be granted only through petition to the faculty by way of the Director of Graduate Studies. Each doctoral candidate submits to a final oral defense of the dissertation before a committee of five scholars.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts and Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Course Definitions and Requirements

Proseminar

The purpose of the Proseminar is to introduce students in the doctoral program to advanced research methods in the history of art.

Colloquium

A colloquium provides an analysis or overview of the state of the literature on a given art historical topic or problem, with extensive reading, discussion, and presentations.

Seminar

A seminar is a focused advanced course that explores a topic in depth. Seminars are often based on an exhibition in the New York area.

Lecture

Lecture courses explore topics or historical periods, giving overviews of major issues as well as detailed analysis of specific problems and works of art.

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study is outlined over seven semesters, with a total of 72 credits required for completion of the program.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will have the skills and abilities to:

1. Critically investigate the role of the visual arts in culture through object-based examination as well as historical and theoretical interpretation.
2. Effectively communicate original, independent research and interpretations of secondary material through written and oral presentation.
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of critical issues in the field of art history or archaeology through written and oral examinations in a defined field.
4. Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding and interpretation of one topic in art history through substantial original research presented in the form of a dissertation.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.