APEX fellowship gives anthropology and art history major hands-on museum experience
Ava Caizzo ’26, an anthropology and art history major and music minor completing the museum and archival studies pathway, wanted to get real-world experience […]
Overview
The Department of Art and Art History is a cornerstone of the liberal arts experience at Wooster. Here, studio art and art history students develop a focused understanding of the visual arts, past and present. They graduate with the ability to think imaginatively, analytically, and critically about both the art they create and the visual traditions that inform our world.
Visual Literacy
The art history curriculum develops student capacity to consider visual culture critically. From built environments to visual imagery, art history embeds the symbols and structures of our world within historic contexts. These courses analyze the production and reception of a diversity of visual arts within distinct social, religious, cultural, and political circumstances. Some courses allow students to take part in object-based learning activities and even student-curated exhibitions.
What can you do with an Art History degree from The College of Wooster?
Graduates from The College of Wooster can be found contributing to the art world in museums, galleries and archives across the United States. Alumni of the program have continued to graduate school in art history, museum studies, urban planning, law school, library sciences, and art conservation, while others pursue careers in education or arts management.
The College of Wooster Art Museum, located in the Ebert Art Center, brings a variety of exhibitions to campus featuring regional, national and international artists, providing students opportunities to engage with visual and material culture that informs their academic and professional goals. Internships and experiential learning opportunities—from object-based instruction to student-curated exhibitions—further students’ insights into career paths and academic ambitions in art history.
Art History at The College of Wooster
Art History courses at The College of Wooster cover non-Western practices as well as the major periods of the Western cannon. Majors complete 12 courses toward art history degrees: eight in art history, one course in studio art, one course in art historical theory & application, and two semesters of independent study. These courses must be selected from a variety of periods and histories. All students at The College of Wooster complete an independent study thesis under the supervision of a faculty mentor.
Students with an interest in studying architecture in graduate school have the option to participate in the College’s Pre-Architecture Program and advising.
Faculty & Staff
Tracy Cosgriff
Associate Professor of Art and Art History, Middle Eastern & North African Studies
Daren Kendall
Assistant Professor of Art and Art History (On Leave Spring 2025)
Marina Mangubi
Department Chair; Eugene and Charlene Derge Sussel Endowed Professorship in Art and Art History
Tracy Mathys
Administrative Coordinator - Art and Art History, Global Media and Digital Studies, Museum Studies, and CWAM
Latest Art History News
French and art history double major explores how immersive art challenges perceptions
A double major in art history and French & Francophone studies at The College of Wooster, Grace Alexandrowski ’24 found inspiration for her senior […]
National Geographic acknowledges work of Wooster student at excavation of ancient synagogue in Israel
Fritz Clingroth ’24, archaeology and art history double major at The College of Wooster, had a hand in an archaeological excavation of an ancient […]
Studio art major communicates “Sentiments” with nature-focused independent study
Studio art major Emma Staggs ’24 completed a senior Independent Study project titled “Sentiments” that pays homage to the inherent beauty of the natural […]
Major
Twelve courses are required to fulfill the Art History major requirements:
- Introduction to Art History: Prehistory-Medieval or Introduction to Art History: Renaissance-Modern
- One course from the following: The Bronze Age, Greek Archaeology & Art, or Roman Archaeology & Art
- One course from the following: Early Medieval Art or Late Medieval Art
- One course from the following: Italian Renaissance Art, Northern Renaissance Art, Baroque Art, or Global Renaissance
- One course from the following: Nineteenth-Century Art, Modern Art, or Art Since 1960
- One course from the following: African Art, Islamic Art, African-American Art, or Global Renaissance
- Two 300-level electives: American Art, Gender in Moderen Art, Architecture I, Architecture II, History of Prints, Exhibiting Africa, Special Topics Seminar, OR One 300-level elective and one additional 200-level course from any above.
- One elective course in Studio Art
- Theory & Applications in Art History
- Senior Independent Study (two semesters)
Minor
Six courses are required to fulfill the Art History minor requirements:
- Six courses are required to fulfill the Art History minor requirements:
- Introduction to Art History: Prehistory-Medieval, or Introduction to Art History: Renaissance -Modern
- Four 200-level courses, one each in four of the five areas above beginning with “One course”
- One elective 300-level art history course
Independent Study
Senior Independent Study will be the biggest project you’ll undertake at Wooster. The College of Wooster curriculum–from the classes you take, to the internships you complete, and the off-campus studies you engage in–will prepare you for this exciting and formative experience. As such, your Senior I.S. is the culmination of the efforts you’ve made during your college experience to think critically, work independently, and to express yourself effectively.
Watch as students explore new worlds using virtual reality in the Ebert Art Center. This student-produced video by Dash Luo ‘22 shows how the audience experienced Thanh Nguyen’s ’19 senior independent research project, Untitled: Dissecting how consumerism’s recycling exploits Southeast Asian environment in a Virtual Art experience.
Search the I.S. Database
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Related Articles
French and art history double major explores how immersive art challenges perceptions
A double major in art history and French & Francophone studies at The College of Wooster, Grace Alexandrowski ’24 found inspiration for her senior […]
Studio art major communicates “Sentiments” with nature-focused independent study
Studio art major Emma Staggs ’24 completed a senior Independent Study project titled “Sentiments” that pays homage to the inherent beauty of the natural […]
Classics collide in Medici art research with violent themes
Isabelle Hoover ’23 was eager to pursue a senior Independent Study project at The College of Wooster that would marry her majors in art […]
I.S. builds case for accessible sustainable housing
Jen Mynard ’23 believes making sustainability more accessible to everyone will be “the issue of the coming century as climate change threatens all.” The […]
Alumni
Graduates from The College of Wooster can be found contributing to the art world in museums, galleries and archives across the United States. Alumni of the program have continued to graduate school in art history, museum studies, urban planning, law school, library sciences, and art conservation, while others pursue careers in education or arts management.
Related Articles
Philosophy and art history double major strengthens his skills through music
Music has been a part of life for as long as Ben Read ’23 can remember. He has been singing since he was a […]
Master of Architecture student takes Wooster research skills abroad
Pyae Thein ’19 is a Master of Architecture student at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia, where he has drawn […]
Woodworking becomes career for studio art alumnus
Kevin Reiswig ’10 credits his summer as a research assistant and Wooster’s focus on writing for his post-graduate success
Art alumnus builds career as cartoonist and illustrator
Will Santino ’11 reflects on Wooster’s creative community
Lab Facilities
Visual Resources provides diverse technological support for Studio Art and Art History faculty and students. The department is overseen by a Visual Resources and Technology Specialist who assists with:
- The Ebert Digital Lab technology and software
- Preparation of digital images through flatbed scanning, slide scanning, and digital photography
- Documenting artwork, image editing, digital imaging workflow, and best practices
- Preparation of instructional materials
- Photographic, video, computer, printing, and lighting equipment in the digital lab
- Access to existing slide collections
- Digital archiving and access to digital collections