The Department of Fine Arts and Art History at the American University of Beirut is accepting applications for its Masters Program in Art History and Curating for fall 2017.
The program prepares historically conscious and theoretically engaged art historians and curators who can contribute critically and productively to the development of new approaches to art historiography and curatorial practices in Lebanon, the region and beyond.
The curriculum
The MA program in Art History and Curating curriculum blends theory, method, and practice. The program has specific strengths in Islamic, Arab and Middle Eastern modern and contemporary art, Socialist and Post-Socialist art and culture, art theory and art historiography. The curriculum combines designated research and writing seminars alongside art history, exhibition studies and critical theory courses with a professional internship. The curriculum engages Art History and Curating in a productive and mutually constitutive fashion. Art historical research that students conduct may be related to contemporary and historical exhibitions, and exhibitions themselves may be grounded in historical research.
Faculty research areas covered include modern and contemporary art history and theory; Byzantine Renaissance art history; Islamic art history; curatorial methods, theories and practices; aesthetic theory; critical theory; psychoanalytic theory; theories of vision and visuality; and image theory.
Admission requirements
The application should consist of the AUB application form, the application fee, undergraduate transcripts, two letters of reference, a statement of interest and a writing sample (min. 2000 words). If the admissions committee deems it necessary, the applicant may be contacted for an interview.
Language requirements: evidence of proficiency in English (writing, reading, comprehension) and a second language (Arabic, French, German, Persian, Turkish, Armenian or any other language relevant to the applicant’s field of study).
Applicants from fields other than art history and theory may apply. However, to be admitted to the program, applicants need to have completed at least 15 credit hours of art history and theory courses, or an acceptable equivalent. Admission is also open to part-time students.
Graduate admissions
Faculty of Arts and Sciences: T +961 1 343 002 / F +961 1 744 460 / [email protected]
