ChooseWhy Choose This Program?
Why Study Art History at Goucher?
We live in a world saturated by images, which means that visual communication dominates many aspects of our daily lives (e.g. news, advertising, entertainment, social media). It is essential for today’s students to think critically about the many ways in which images across time and cultures have been—and still are—constructed to make meaning. Goucher’s art history minor connects the history of images and artifacts with broader streams of inquiry into the visual world of the 21st century.
LearnWhat Will You Learn?
What Will You Learn?
Students in art history classes at Goucher deepen their knowledge of the history of images across time and cultures, assess theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of images, and hone their analytical and communication skills. Art history, with its emphasis on the political, economic, scientific, and cultural contexts of images and artifacts, provides Goucher students a gateway to the study of cultural history, a critical eye, and an ability to integrate ideas—skills that complement their studies at Goucher and enrich their experiences beyond their undergraduate years.
DoWhat Will You Do?
What Will You Do?
Art history is not only inherently interdisciplinary, engaging streams of inquiry across the college, but also inherently hands-on. Goucher’s art history students work closely with exhibitions in Goucher’s Silber Art Gallery, objects in the Art and Artifact Collection, and documents in the Special Collections and Archives. Students interact with museum professionals at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Gallery, as well as in galleries and community events that contribute to Baltimore’s vibrant art scene. Art history minor students pursue internships in the region and complete special projects and independent studies that engage area collections. Many students concentrate in our Arts Management Program, which prepares them for careers in museums, cultural institutions, and a variety of nonprofit organizations.
Course Curriculum
Faculty
Major & Minor Program Contacts
April Oettinger, Department Chair
Full-Time & Half-Time Faculty
April Oettinger, Professor of Art History and Visual Culture
Study Abroad
Goucher’s Art History Program, in collaboration with the Arts Management Program, offers a three-week study abroad course, The Arts of Amsterdam: Arts Management in Amsterdam. A course focused on global contemporary art and the Venice Biennale (based in Venice) is under development. Students may also elect to study art history at Goucher in approved semester-long programs in a number of countries and regions, including Italy, France, Denmark, Scotland, and West Africa.
Visit the Office of Global Education for more information.
Opportunities & Internships
Internships
Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.
Internships for college credit are possible through established relationships with area museums, arts organizations, artists, galleries, and design studios, as well as through professional relationships researched by the student. These provide students with hands-on experience and help them establish professional contacts. Certain courses are open to Goucher students at a consortium of institutions, including the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Towson University.
The Spencer Award
The Eleanor Spencer Award is granted each year to a rising sophomore who has declared a major in visual and material culture or a minor in studio art. It funds outstanding research projects requiring travel to complete. Proposals are submitted to the program chair early in the spring semester and are reviewed by the program faculty.
Student Employment
Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.
Major & Career Exploration
Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.
Job Search
A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.
Graduate & Professional School
Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program
Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.
Alumni Spotlight
Madison Salvino '18
Madison Salvino '18
Read My Story“Studying abroad in Viterbo demanded that I look at myself honestly. I came to understand my strengths, weaknesses, and to further shape my ambitions.”
News
- February 2, 2021
Goucher College will create the Collaborative Humanities Laboratory to enhance the study of visual, material, and historical culture using a $149,961 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant. Goucher was one of only five institutions nationwide to receive a grant from the NEH's Humanities Initiatives at Colleges and Universities.
- January 29, 2020
Art from Goucher College students may be arriving in your mailbox soon.