The Department of Visual Studies incorporates a wide range of methods, theories, and media in order to examine the place of visuality in human experience. In fostering deep and critical engagement with visual evidence, programs in the DVS help students develop expertise in visual literacy, a fundamental skill in today's image- and media-saturated environment. Courses offered in the DVS examine the history, production, and reception of a range of visual and aural texts, including photography, new media, popular culture, and advertising; painting, sculpture, architecture, and the built environment; contemporary art, curatorial studies, and museum culture; and time-based media, including film and television. Courses analyze many geographical and chronological settings, from ancient Rome to contemporary South Asia, and engage a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives.
DVS programs also are designed to foster the development of critical reading and writing skills. The Department's collaborative programs with the Sheridan Institute offer the possibility for students to receive both practical and academic studies in Art and Art History and in Visual Culture and Communication. Graduates of DVS programs go on to careers in curatorial and museum work, web design, teaching, and arts journalism, as well as pursuing graduate study in art history, architecture, cultural studies, studio art, and related fields.
