Undergraduate Concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design

All RISD undergraduate candidates are eligible to add this concentration to their program of study.

Interested students can learn more about the concentration and declare THAD as their concentration choice on the department’s website: thad.risd.edu/concentration. If you have any questions about the concentration, you should contact the Theory and History of Art and Design Concentration Coordinator, Foad Torshizi via torshizi@risd.edu.

RISD offers courses in Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD) that span a wide range of cultures, media, and time periods. The College offers a 24-credit undergraduate concentration in THAD designed for students who wish to complement their studio major with in-depth studies in art and design history, theory, criticism, and museum studies. The undergraduate THAD concentration can be completed within a 4 or 5-year degree program.

Typically, concentrators communicate with the concentration coordinator at least twice a year to discuss course options and to update their records. As part of the process, THAD concentrators may preregister for Theory and History of Art and Design courses that will be used for the concentration. The concentration coordinator will contact all concentrators with the relevant instructions shortly before the official registration period; this option is offered in the fall and spring semesters only.

THAD concentrators (after fulfilling certain requirements) are exclusively eligible to apply for the THAD Museum Fellows Program. In conjunction with the RISD Museum of Art, THAD allows selected concentrators to participate in the Museum Fellows program, which offers a firsthand look at a rang of museum professions, along with a rare level of access to the museum’s diverse collections. Museum Fellows complete a semester-long apprenticeship with a specific department at the RISD Museum. The positions carry course credit, require significant time commitments (about 6 – 7 hours per week), and involve serious engagement in the real work of curators, conservators, registrars, and educators. Please see the THAD Museum Fellows Program website for more information about the program.

Requirements for UNDERGraduate Concentration

I. Introductory courses

THAD I: Global Modernisms (THAD-H101) and

THAD II: History of Architecture and Design (THAD-H102)

2 courses

6 credits

II. Theory and Methods

Choose one (1) THAD course in this topic area

1 course

3 credits

III. THAD elective

Choose five (5) THAD courses at least one (1) of which must be a seminar

5 courses

15 credits

Total

8 courses

24 credits

Notes:

  • All Theory and History of Art and Design courses are labeled “THAD”

  • Concentrators may need to take two courses in at least two Wintersessions to complete concentration requirements.

  • Certain HPSS and LAS courses may fulfill concentration requirements. If used for that purpose, they may not also be counted towards HPSS or LAS concentrations.

  • Liberal Arts electives may be applied towards the concentration, but they require pre-approval by the concentration coordinator.

  • Enrollment in the EHP (European Honors Program) in Rome fulfills one THAD elective course (not fulfilling the Seminar course requirement).

  • Enrollment in the RISD Museum Fellows Program fulfills one THAD elective course (not fulfilling the Seminar course requirement).

  • Courses taken at Brown University may be applied towards the concentration, but they require pre-approval by the concentration coordinator.