About the course

Our department believes in the inherent unity between the practice and theory of art. Beyond the development of skills and training in techniques, the study of art involves gaining both an understanding of visual thinking and an awareness of the histories, issues and concepts that bear on the direction and role of the visual arts in our culture today.

　　Most of our courses are designed to serve all students regardless of their major area of study. A,T,P, enrolls about 40-60 undergraduate art majors and 70plus art minors, while approximately 1,000 non-majors/minors take our classes every year. Our undergraduate courses cover both traditional approaches and newer media and alternative strategies. Painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture and photography form the core of the undergraduate curriculum, giving students the opportunity to develop a solid foundation in the field’s traditions and established media. The department also looks forward to experimental approaches and future developments in visual art making.

　　We incorporate digital technology, video and conceptual art practice into our curriculum, thus blending newer trends with established practices. Also integral to our program are seminars in art theory, as well as critique classes in which enrolled students present new work for prolonged, in-depth analysis by the class. By the senior year, each department major is encouraged to elaborate their own self-motivated, individual studio practice in which artworks are produced independently of classroom assignments.

　　goal of an undergraduate education in Art Theory and Practice is to prepare students to contribute forcefully to contemporary art and culture—in its reception and interpretation, its presentation and distribution, and, most of all, its production. For a work of art to be meaningful to today’s audiences, it must engage with contemporary issues and with the larger cultural context. Therefore, the students in Art Theory and Practice consider current issues alongside historical traditions, interpretation and analysis alongside technical skills, and theory alongside practice. Students experiment with a wide range of artistic strategies and modes of exploration and become familiar with diverse theoretical perspectives and discourses. Understanding how to effectively use art to ask questions and create meaning positions students to become conscientious and influential cultural producers of the future Scholarships - View all scholarships Internships

　　

Start dates and prices

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide. Speak to a counsellor to get an accurate price.

　　Duration: 8 Semester(s)Fees: Not available

Intake	Location
Winter (January), 2024	Evanston
Spring (March), 2024	Evanston
Fall (September), 2024	Evanston
Winter (January), 2025	Evanston
Spring (March), 2025	Evanston
Fall (September), 2025	Evanston
Winter (January), 2026	Evanston
Spring (March), 2026	Evanston

　　

How to apply

Entry requirements for Northwestern University

Official secondary school transcript and school report. SAT or ACT scores. Northwestern accepts results from both the TOEFL and the IELTS. There is no minimum score required by Northwestern. Competitive applicants demonstrate a high level of English proficiency and often score in the high range on all four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing) of the TOEFL iBT, or receive IELTS band scores in highest three bands on the overall and individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

　　

English language requirements

　　6.0

　　Overall IELTS band score

　　Book IELTS

　　About IELTS

　　Practice and prepare

　　TOEFL Internet based overall score: 60.0

　　

Application deadline:

This date isn’t available – speak to an IDP counsellor to get detailed information.

　　

Further information

Career outcomesIf you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might want to explore pathway options at Northwestern University. If you want to find out more, please speak to our counsellors.

　　Pathway options to study at this institution

　　

Reviews and rankings

World ranking

　　28th / 1250

　　THE World ranking

　　

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