Theory and History of Art and Design Department (THAD)

Open to both undergraduate and graduate students, Theory and History of Art and Design (THAD) courses are rich and varied, taught by faculty scholars with diverse interests ranging from ethnomusicology to landscape in American film, the role of femme fatales in Western art, contemporary African artists, French surrealism and much more. Behind-the-scenes access to the RISD Museum’s collection of 85,000 works of art—from early Egyptian relics to 21st-century experimental light sculptures—provides students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities for in-depth research. THAD faculty work to provide access to actual works of art—both at the RISD Museum and elsewhere—image reproductions of works in books or on screen.

Students who wish to focus their Liberal Arts study in the theoretical and historical aspects of art and design may opt to complete a THAD concentration.