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Theory and History of Art and Design

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD) courses are rich and varied, taught by faculty scholars with fabulously diverse interests ranging from ethnomusicology to landscape in American film, the role of femme fatales in Western art, contemporary African artists, French surrealism and much more. Behind-the-scenes access to the RISD Museum’s extraordinary collection of 85,000 works of art—from early Egyptian relics to 21st-century experimental light sculptures—provides students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities for in-depth research. THAD faculty work to provide access to actual works of art— both at the RISD Museum and elsewhere—image reproductions of works in books or on screen.

Students who wish to focus their Liberal Arts study in the theoretical and historical aspects of art and design may opt to complete a THAD concentration.

Undergraduation Concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design

Students can pursue a concentration (like a minor) in addition to their studio major. Concentrations are offered by three of the departments in the Liberal Arts division: History, Philosophy and the Social Sciences (HPSS); Literary Arts and Studies (LAS) and THAD. To register or for details about the undergraduate THAD concentration, you can find more information from the Liberal Arts division.

​Graduate Concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design

The THAD graduate concentration offers the opportunity to augment an MFA with a 15-credit art history concentration. Knowledge of the histories and theories of art and visual culture is increasingly demanded of artists and designers, and THAD has designed this concentration in recognition of this phenomenon and that MFA, MLA, MAT and MID recipients often enter teaching careers in which they are expected to teach history and theory as well as studio classes. To register or for details about the graduate THAD concentration, you can find more information from the Liberal Arts division.