The Southwestern University Art History Program is proud to highlight the work of eight students in Dr. Thomas Howe’s Capstone course.

 

After an intense semester of investigating their chosen topics and leading class discussions and readings in turn, the students will each present their work; 15 minutes each, in the manner of a scholarly conference paper. The presentations are open to the SU community, family, friends, and the public.

 

Dr. Howe describes this challenging class: “This course is the capstone seminar for majors in art history. Students pick their research projects, in any area they choose, and develop them throughout the semester. Students first lead a one-hour discussion section, and they assign the readings to the rest of the class, including the professor. Next students do a 40-minute powerpoint lecture to the seminar on a further development of the topic, when they present a working thesis and outline the context. The public presentation, which is announced here, is a 15-minute condensation of the thesis and argument in the manner of a scholarly conference paper. In the final weeks students then write up a research paper with full documentation. Students go through a great deal of creative personal development in the course of this repeated revision of their topic and get very close to the level of work of graduate school. “

To further deepen their engagement with their topics, most of the students have benefitted hugely from study abroad and have seen the objects and places which they will be writing about. Madeline McLeod and Olivia Huffstetter have been to Cuzco, Ali Shipman spent a semester in Paris, Claire Mata a semester in Morocco, Roxanne Saenz has been to Barcelona and Rachel Robinson has been to Evergreen Plantation. Joe Heid has taken Prof. Hajovsky’s courses.

 

Many of the capstone students have chosen to also use their research as the foundation for Senior University lectures. For several years now, SU ARH students have shared their knowledge and enthusiasm with local seniors. Collectively known as the Art History Collegium, these students independently lead classes and field questions. For many, it is the first opportunity to teach a real class, and past participants have said it is excellent experience for grad school and/or careers in museums, galleries, or education.

Read about last year’s Senior University Art History Collegium here.

This latest iteration of the popular Senior University course will occur in the Spring and will no doubt be well attended and received once again.

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Art History Capstone Presentations

Tuesday December 1st

12:20-3:00

Olin 323

 

Ali Shipman, “The Role of Fashion and Space in the Palais Garnier, Paris”

 

Olivia Huffstetter, Inca and Catholic in the Church of Andahuaylillas near Cuzco, Peru”

 

Jacquelyn Claire Mata, “The Mosque of Hassan II, in Casablanca, Morocco, and the Projection of Political Power”


 

Joe Heid, “Mayan Circular Time on the Stelae of Yaxchitlan and Palenque”

 

Madeline McLeod, “Liminality in Andean Temple Complexes and Gothic Mazes”
 

Rachel Robinson, “Evergreen Plantation to Tara: Romancing the Reality of the Old South”
 

Olivia Stephenson, “The Film Amelie, French Impressionism and the “Haussmannization” of Paris”
 

 

Roxana Saenz, Antoni Gaudi’, the Sagrada Familia and the Shaping of Multicultural Barcelona” 
 

 

Please join us for any portion of the presentations and show your support for our talented students!