COURSE CURRICULUM

The Visual Studies Track within the Master of Humanities program at the University of Colorado Denver is an interdisciplinary graduate pathway designed to develop advanced knowledge and analytical skills in visual culture, combining theoretical, historical, and applied approaches to understanding images and media. The program is built on core interdisciplinary foundations that all students complete, including IDST 5020 Foundations and Theories of Interdisciplinary Studies, IDST 5013 Methods and Practices of Interdisciplinary Studies, and IDST 5023 Research Perspectives in Interdisciplinary Studies, which together provide training in theory, research design, and critical analysis across humanities and social sciences. In addition to these core requirements, students in the Visual Studies Track must complete a 3-credit methods or theory course selected from options such as ENGL 5420 Film Theory and Criticism, FINE 5790 Art History Methods, or IDST 5660 Visual Arts: Its Past, Present, and Interpretations, which ground students in analytical frameworks for studying visual media. They are also required to complete at least 18 credit hours of visual arts-related coursework, allowing them to explore areas such as art history, architecture, film studies, museum studies, visual communication, and digital media. Course options include subjects ranging from classical and modern art history (such as Renaissance, Baroque, and contemporary art) to interdisciplinary studies in communication, philosophy of aesthetics, cultural representation, and media theory. Students may further tailor their learning through electives in departments such as English, communication, history, philosophy, and interdisciplinary studies, enabling them to align their academic path with specific interests like film analysis, museum work, or media criticism. Finally, the program requires a culminating experience in the form of a 3-credit final project or a 6-credit thesis focused on a Visual Studies topic, allowing students to demonstrate research expertise and original analysis. Overall, this track integrates theory, history, and practice to prepare graduates for careers in museums, arts administration, media, advertising, cultural institutions, and further doctoral study in humanities and visual culture fields.