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Why Study Art?

Modern culture is a visual culture, deluged with images from the popular media -- advertising, photography, television, film and video -- and professional contexts -- the courtroom, the hospital, the lecture hall. From fractal theory in the sciences to computer imaging, visual knowledge is central to critical thinking in the late twentieth century. The historical study of art, architecture and visual culture provides the understanding and the language necessary for analyzing space and image and recognizing their social impact. The making of art develops the ability to think visually and resolve spatial problems at the same time that it involves the resonant satisfactions of creativity.

Art History is interdisciplinary. It involves the student in the politics and economics of the period in which the work was produced as well as in its literature and religion. As in other fields of the Humanities, students are given the opportunity to develop their ability to formulate ideas orally and in writing. But in the study and criticism of structures and images, students refine their powers of gathering information visually as well as verbally. As a consequence of the historical and critical training involved in the study of Art History, majors are well-prepared for careers in any of the professions.

Although a passion for the visual artifact must lie at the core of successful work in the history or practice of art, both Art History and Studio training are current and practical. The study of art provides the excitement and pleasure of a new awareness of your physical context, a new and compelling way to think and debate, a new perspective on past and present realities.

 

 

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