StudyQA — Master: Art History and Archaeology

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The research master's specialization Art History and Archaeology offers a two-year training programme in the theory and methodology of material culture and landscape studies from multiple perspectives

This research master offers a multifaceted two-years programme in researching material culture. The disciplinary perspectives offered by the programme are: Art History, History of Architecture and Urbanism, Landscape History, Prehistory and Protohistory of Northwest Europe, Classical and Mediterranean Archeology, Ecological Archaeology, Maritime Archeology and Arctic Archeology. Students may focus on artworks, buildings, urban environments, landscapes, archeological settlements, artefacts and ecofacts.

After having followed a partly shared programme in the first year, students choose for a specialization track in one of the disciplines just mentioned. Students are made thoroughly familiar with the most up-to-date theories, methods and techniques with which to study the themes and problems they wish to tackle. The programme prepares students for the responsibilities that face academic professionals today with regard to historical analysis, conservation, restoration and public presentation. Through highly qualified research projects and internships in the Netherlands and abroad, students acquire fundamental research experience in one or more of the fields covered by this master.

Career
Job perspectives

The degree is a very good preparation for a career in the areas of Archaeology, Art, Architecture and Landscape.After this programme a research position, within or outside the university, is a logical step.

Job examples

* Research oriented career

Courses year 1
* Research Seminar I (10 EC)

* Research Seminar II (10 EC)

* Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717-1768) (10 EC)

* National Research School Courses (10 EC)

* Research Seminar IV (10 EC)

* Research Seminar III (10 EC)

* Approaches/Interpretations of Landscape (10 EC)

Courses year 2
* K&A: Specialization 2 (10 EC)

* K&A: Specialization 1 (10 EC)

* K&A: Specialization 3 (10 EC)

* Ma-Thesis History of Art and Archaeology (30 EC)

Study abroad

* Study abroad is optional
* For an average of 16 weeks
* Maximum of 30 EC

Specialisations / Tracks
* Archaeology (specialization) The specialization track in Archaeology offers a number of profiles in NW-European Pre- and Protohistory, Classical and Mediterranean archaeology, or Arctic Studies.

The specialization track in Archaeology offers profiles in NW-European Pre- and Protohistory, Classical and Mediterranean archaeology, Ecological archaeology and Arctic Studies.In each profile archaeological theory and practice is combined with in-depth courses on, for example, wetland archaeology, maritime archaeology, settlement and landscape archaeology including GIS, funerary archaeology, ecological archaeology or arctic studies. Students can develop specific topics of their own interest within these broad fields, or may choose to participate in the department's ample research programme that builds on a long and internationally renowned tradition of multidisciplinary approaches, combining archaeology, anthropological and science-based disciplines. Students participate in the courses on offer by the National Research School Archon and the Department's research seminars and capita selecta. Study abroad is encouraged and participation in fieldwork projects or work in the various laboratories at the department or elsewhere is facilitated.

* Art(specialization) The Specialization track Art History offers courses in Western Art from the Late Middle Ages to and including the present

As regards the pre-modern period, the programme is object-oriented and pays considerable attention to the social roles played by art. Students investigate form, content, function and reception of artworks and delve into artists' and patrons' intentions and and modes of selfrepresentation. Courses focus on Italian Art 1400-1650 and Early Netherlandish Art 1400-1500. Some of the courses are taught abroad (Rome) Organizing an international graduate symposium is part of the curriculum.

The courses on Modern and Contemporary art take a sharp focus on the actual making of artworks and the role played in this by the artists'theories and convictions. Students are invited to ask themselves in what ways these theories have informed the art of the 19th-21th centuries and in what ways they have influenced the writing on and the display of art. Courses discuss topics from the classical avantgarde through postmodernism to contemporary art. Subjects dealt with are for example twentieth-century sculpture, photography, new media, art and curatorship.

* Architecture(specialization) The specialization track in Architecture focuses at the history of architectural design, building and urban planning within the wider socio-cultural context.

Main fields of interest are therefore: concepts and ideals of architects and planners, theory of architecture and urban design, architecture as representation, the relationship between architecture and good citizenship, the effects of the ongoing globalisation of today's architectural and urban culture as can be seen in the fast development of non-western towns, and the production and meaning of cultural heritage within such a global context.

* Landscape History (specialization) The Landscape History track focuses on the interdisciplinary study of cultural landscapes in the Netherlands and Europe, using concepts and methods from the humanities, spatial and natural sciences.

Cultural landscapes are among the most valuable categories of Dutch and European heritage. Research master students are trained to analyse landscape patterns and landscape formation processes, using interdisciplinary concepts and methods from the fields of landscape history, landscape archaeology, soil science, palaeoecology, toponymics, cultural geography and/or economic history.

In this track it is possible to develop an individual study programme that is focussed on a specific time period, a specific landscape region and/or a specific landscape theme. Programmes can be dedicated to fundamental research as well as to applied research. Field work and field excursions are an important part of the courses.

Special themes of our Centre for Landscape Studies are : 1. coastal landscapes of the Wadden Sea area; 2. history of the Pleistocene landscapes of Northwest-Europe (including field systems); 3. historical ecology as a tool for nature management and heritage management; 4. historic country houses and landed estates.

For more information please contact prof. Theo Spek, theo.spek@rug.nl.

Dutch studentsSufficient English skills to be able to follow the course successfully: a TOEFL score of 260 or university-entrance level English (VWO level)Bachelor degree in Art History or ArchaeologyInternational studentsExcellent academic recordBachelor's degree in Art History or ArchaeologyThe selection procedure is based on an evaluation of degree certificates and individual results, proficiency in English (min. 620 TOEFL or min. 7 IELTS), excellent academic record, letter of motivation, two letters of recommendation and transcript, thesis or paper English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 TOEFL paper-based test score : 620 TOEFL iBT® test: 105

Funding opportunities
Several scholarships are available for international students who are motivated to study Bachelors, Masters and PhD programmes, as well as for exchanges, short courses and research stays at our university.