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Concentration in Theory and History of Art and Design (Undergraduate)

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Theory and History of Art and DesignUG
Degree Requirements

2026 - 2027 | Undergraduate Concentration Requirements

Concentration Coordinator: Jung Joon Lee (jlee54@risd.edu)

All RISD undergraduate candidates are eligible to add this concentration to their program of study. Interested students should contact the Theory and History of Art and Design Concentration Coordinator or learn more about the concentration below.

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 21-credit undergraduate concentration (24-credits for students graduating with 126 credits) 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 range 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.

Requirements for UNDERGraduate Theory and History of Art and Design Concentration

Introductory courses

THAD H101 - Global Modernisms and

THAD H102 - History of Architecture and Design

2 courses

6 credits

Theory and Methods

Choose one (1) THAD course in this topic area

1 course

3 credits

THAD electives

Choose four (4) THAD courses at least one (1) of which must be a seminar

4 courses

12 credits*

TOTAL

7 courses

21 credits*

* Students who are required to complete 126 credits for their degree must complete 15 THAD elective credits and 24 total THAD credits.

notes:

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

  • Concentrators may need to take one or two courses during Wintersessions to complete their concentration requirements.

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

  • Enrollment in a relevant course through RISD Global exchange programs may fulfill one THAD elective course. Pre-approval by the concentration coordinator is required

  • 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.