You must provide a clear thesis and indicate a methodology. For example, you may want to discuss the artist’s work in relationship to their biography, or other structures of the arts, humanities, or sciences at the time, such as politics, social issues, psychology, literature, race, gender, sexuality, or aesthetic considerations, etc.
Researching your art work may include any one of the art historical methodologies that will be discussed. But you must address them in the work. For example, when you use biography, it is not simply as an ends in itself – you must demonstrate how their biography is reflected in the work of art. (To better understand this component, you will complete the Research Methodologies assignment).
You must give close attention to the formal analysis of the work, which are the choices the artist used in order to communicate their ideas.
The possibilities are endless, but you must exhibit an original take on one work of art. This may be responsive to the research you have encountered, and you may be expanding upon or arguing against previous criticism. The instructor will look carefully at the proposal and make recommendations.
You must include MLA citation style. This will include endnotes AND a complete bibliography on separate pages.
Research is the core component of Art History. It is essential that you leave this course with an understanding of how research is conducted and material culture is historicized. The Research Essay project has four steps, each of which have listed due dates in your Course Calendar.
Details of the Final Essay
five FULL pages, double-spaced and typed, in 12pt. font
separate title page that includes your name, course/section, and essay title
ONE work of art that was made between 1300 – 1945
at least five sources (other than your textbook)
Information Literacy *****************!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For a guide to research art historical objects, please go to the Research Resource Guide in this folder. NO WEBSITES, unless approved by the instructor. NO ENCYCLOPEDIAS. Credible, peer reviewed sources include:
books
dissertations
journals
These are credible, peer reviewed sources with an author and publication date. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of one of your sources, please ask the instructor.
