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.

学霸联盟