FAH451

SEMESTER LONG PROJECT

WINTER 2025

Over the course of the semester, you will embark in a multi-stage project that will result in an

object-based research paper. The goal of the paper is to situate rigorous engagement with a single

work of art (or single series of art works) within broader themes and questions we’ll explore over

the course of the semester. To facilitate the latter, the final two days of class will be devoted to a

mini “conference” consisting of panels devoted to specific topics related to the course. You will

be assigned to a panel at the start of the semester and constitute your panel topic as a group, in

consultation with me.

You can find resources for conducting art historical research in the department’s dedicated

research guide on the library website (a Black Art research guide is forthcoming).

Formatting Instructions

Papers should be written in 12-point font with standard margins (1 inch or 2.54 cm) and double

spaced. All citations should be formatted according to the Chicago Manual of Style. For more

information about citation, see library resources here.

All images should be included at the end of the paper, labeled as figures, and then cited as intext

citations. Captions should include the following information in the following order: artist name

(if known), title, italicized (if known) date (if known), materials (if known), and dimensions (if

known).

PART 1: CHOOSING AN ARTIST

Consult the artist list included at the end of this document. Do some research on these artists, if

you aren’t familiar with them already. Send me an email with your first and second choice

preferences by January 22. I will notify you of your artist and the other students on your panel

by January 29.

PART 2: ARTWORK DESCRIPTION

Write a description of a single work of art by your chosen artist (this work may or may not

constitute the subject of your conference presentation/final paper, although it would be

advantageous to you if it did). In your final paragraph, speculate about possible research avenues

suggested by your analysis. These might be be questions about the artist, about the time period,

about the symbolism, about technique, about materials, etc.

The paper should be three pages double-spaced. Keep the difference between description and

analysis/interpretation as you write this paper. Please include an image and caption at the end of

the paper. Submit the description as a Word doc or PDF to Quercus by end of day February

26.

PART 3: PANEL TOPIC

In consultation with the other students on your panel, develop with a theme that will unify all

your papers. This will require discussion outside of class. Collectively rite a paragraph about

why you choose the theme and how it relates to the histories and/or ideas we have been

discussing in class. Then, develop three questions that will guide your inquiries. One person

from the panel should be designated to send the topic and questions, written in a Word doc, via

email by end of day March 5. All panellists must be cc-ed.

PART 4: CONFERENCE PAPER

Prepare an 8-minute paper (3-4 pages of double-spaced text) on an artwork by your artists.

The paper should discuss the artwork, artists, and your interpretation of the panel’s chosen

theme. Why did you choose to work on this artist and why did you choose this particular

artwork? How does the work relate to the questions your group is asking? What larger issues do

you hope to explore in your longer paper?

Please determine the order of your panel as a group ahead of time. Your paper should include at

least one image. Please consolidate all images for your panel into a single PowerPoint/PDF

before your presentation date. Please also include an introductory slide with your theme and pre- developed questions. After each panel, there will be fifteen minutes of Q&A with the rest of the

class. Conference dates are March 26 and April 2. You will be notified of your presentation

date by March 12. You should submit your paper, with images, as a Word doc or PDF to

Quercus the day of your conference.

PART 5: FINAL PAPER

Expand your conference paper into 10-page research paper. The paper should balance historical

context with object-based analysis. This is not a biography of your artist or your artwork. It’s an

analysis of the work in relationship to the larger themes of the course. This means there should

be substantial formal analysis. Your paper does not have to directly answer your panel’s

questions. They are meant as a guide to help you find a way into your artwork. The paper must

include at least one comparison. Submit the paper as a Word doc or PDF to Quercus by end

of day April 16.

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