Art History is the study of the visual arts in civilization. It
examines changing values in all fields of visual culture,
including painting, sculpture, graphics, photography,
architecture, film, the mass media, and forms of popular
expression. Its interdisciplinary reach encompasses literature,
history, anthropology, sociology, philosophy, gender studies,
critical theory, and cultural studies. Art History emphasizes
visual as well as verbal and written literacy, providing more
than the standard advantages to a liberal arts education.
Students majoring in Art History will engage with the
wide-ranging opportunities its curriculum presents for learning
and research. Studying Art History develops visual
literacy, communication skills, critical/creative thinking and an
understanding of diversity.
Each year, UC Davis undergraduates in all academic fields are
invited to submit an abstract and participate in the Undergraduate Research,
Scholarship and Creative Activities Conference. This year,
art history was well represented with six majors
presenting research papers in Oral Session 2
on Saturday, April 25.
Professor Katharine Burnett recently attended the Global Tea
Conference at the University of VIrginia where she participated
in the Tea and Material/Visual Culture session to discuss
“Teapots Shaped by Cultural Forces: 17th-Century Art Theory and
Innovative Yixing Teapot Design.”
Professor Heghnar Watenpaugh will present a public lecture at the
National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations
(INALCO) on Mar. 27 in Paris.
Marty Powers, Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan and
Professor in the School of Arts, Peking University, will present
a a public lecture examining garden design in 18th century Europe
and China and intergroup dynamics.
