Resources for Undergraduates:
Advising
Students are free to select their advisor from the faculty of Art, Art History & Visual Arts. During the preregistration period faculty members will
post sign-up sheets on their doors so that students can make appointments
for advising. The Director of Undergraduate Studies is available for
consultation by appointment.
Independent Study
Independent study provides the ideal opportunity for a student to do
an extended research project in a subject of particular interest. Students
are encouraged to undertake independent studies with a faculty member
with whom they have previously taken a course. Students doing Independent
Studies in Art History are required to write a research paper. Faculty
in the Department of Art, Art History & Visual Studies are usually limited to two
Independent Study students each semester. A successful Independent Study
project can lead to Graduation with Distinction in the Major.
Independent Study credit is not accorded internships in museums or galleries.
Study Away From Duke
Students are encouraged to travel and to take courses abroad. There
is no substitute for exposure to major works of painting, sculpture,
and architecture in museums and cities around the world. A wide variety
of programs is available for one semester, for the entire academic year,
or for the summer only. There is a complete listing of such programs
in the Office of Study Abroad, 2016 Campus Drive, which has an extensive
file of study opportunities in other countries, including a number of
programs that have received "pre-approved" status. A listing
of summer courses can be obtained from the Office of Summer Session,
in the Bishop's House.
The Duke University Summer Session and other Duke sponsored study programs
have also offered courses in a variety of countries. In past years,
courses for both undergraduates and graduates have been offered in the
Netherlands, Florence, Rome, Paris, Madrid, and Vienna. Whereas students
simply receive credit (without a grade) from most study abroad programs,
a course sponsored by Duke will be indicated by the grade on their transcript.
The latter may be important if students are considering graduate or
professional school. A maximum of two courses taken away from Duke
will count towards the major.
Benenson Prizes (link)
Thanks to the generosity of Mr. Edward H. Benenson, a series of prizes
for summer research and study are available to undergraduates who are
interested in any field of art, art history, music, drama, dance, photography,
film making or creative writing. Since the prizes are designed to broaden
the students' educational and professional objectives, the candidate's
essay on his/her objectives will be a major factor in the selection
process. Prizes have been awarded for travel, summer study in established
programs, and research, either in the United States or abroad. Students
interested in applying for a Benenson Prize must be nominated by their
department. The applications are usually due in late February or early
March, and the announcement of the winners is made in April.
Graduation Prizes:
Nancy Kaneb Art History Award
Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Visual Arts Award
Sue and Lee Noel Prize in the Visual Arts
