The Art History and Visual Culture Program (AHVC) offers students the opportunity to explore visual material across a broad range of periods and societies, and through close student-teacher interaction. The program emphasizes learning how to look at and write about visual material, helping students develop tools of visual literacy and analysis. AHVC majors have gone on to a wide range of careers, including work in galleries, museums, publishing, fashion, landscape design, architecture, public relations, film, law, etc.
About the Major
To major in Art History and Visual Culture, a student must complete at least seven AHVC courses. Majors develop individual study plans that include a wide range of Lower College courses and a minimum of three Upper College seminars. Those choosing AHVC as a second focus, Bard’s equivalent of a minor, do not need a faculty adviser within the program and can take any five courses with an ARTH designation.
Moderation is a process at Bard in which students officially declare their major. Students usually moderate at the end of their second year. This enhanced advising process involves the student preparing papers and sitting down with a board of three faculty members to discuss their work, skills, and aspirations. AHVC Moderation boards consist of three Bard faculty members, including the student’s adviser and at least one other art historian. The choice of board members and the scheduling of boards is decided by the program faculty in consultation with the student. Prospective majors need to have taken four AHVC courses to moderate, including Perspectives in World Art 1 or 2. Specific guidelines for Moderation are available from the AHVC Administrative Assistant Erin Koch ([email protected]).
Beyond the Program
Bard’s proximity to New York City allows for visits to museums and galleries; courses may be designed in conjunction with current exhibitions. In addition, the art and architecture of the Hudson Valley provide a fruitful resource for study and original research. The program maintains close contact with local institutions so that students have access to original documents and work as volunteer interns during the summer or January intersession. Advanced students may also work with faculty at the Center for Curatorial Studies on campus and at the Bard Graduate Center in New York City.